Students Student News Archives

ADHA Annual Session in Albuquerque, New Mexico: a Student’s Perspective
By Alexandra Komichak RDH

I was honored to be chosen as the student alternate delegate for District II. This position enabled me to learn more about the ADHA, as well as allowing me the opportunity to meet many kind, intelligent women, along with a few men. After listening to all the exciting speakers, meeting many talented hygienists, seeing breathtaking views of New Mexico, and enjoying a few precious moments of the warm sunny days, one moment stands out from all the rest. President Jean Connor addressed the delegates during the Second House of Delegates and spoke of all the accomplishments the ADHA has enabled over the past year. In three words she defined every member sitting in that room, “ADHA is you.”  That simple statement defines all of us as members of the ADHA because this organization is as much or as little as you make of it. I plan on making the most of my professional association by staying an active and interested member.

The ADHA has a very bright future. With the passing of the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner and the development of the first curriculum for the ADHP program in Minnesota, they are in a very exciting developmental stage of our profession. With the ADHP, they, as hygienists, will be able to reach underserved populations on their own. However, the development of the ADHP was not the only exciting news we learned during our Annual Session. A few days prior to the start of the CLL in Albuquerque, California permitted the Dental Hygiene Committee to control licensure, regulatory information, and education of dental hygienists within their state. These wonderful opportunities enable them to cover more ground in the dental field and have more control over their scope of practice.

Not only have our peers accomplished ground-breaking tasks but our current students and future members are beyond anything I could have expected. Being from Pennsylvania and used to our conservative ways, it was a wonderful feeling to know that the student delegate from California and I saw eye-to-eye on many issues that we as future members of the ADHA will have to face. Many of the student delegates and alternates were very passionate and excited about the proposed resolutions and proposed bylaw amendments that were discussed at Annual Session. Many good ideas were exchanged, and we have all kept in touch on Facebook and joined the ADHA’s page on Facebook to keep communication open between ourselves, and other current and former dental hygiene students. I am excited to have these girls as my future colleagues in the profession. Already, many of us
are already planning on attending Annual Session in Washington, DC, next year!

My overall experience was indescribable. I was passionate about every issue, every topic, and encouraged by all the wonderful people I met on my trip. I am very excited to continue my participation in this organization. I also pledge to talk about the ADHA and what members can gain by being active in our organization to students and other hygienists who are not yet full members. None of this would have been as amazing for me had I not had such great mentors.  I would especially like to thank Sherri Myers, Jaclyn Gleber, Patty Inks, Judy Ernst, & Carol Martin from Pennsylvania, as well as the other delegates from District II. You have all helped me prepare and encouraged me during the Annual Session while also encouraging me for my future endeavors with the ADHA and our dental hygiene profession.

Thank you so much for everything that you ladies have done for me, and I am so excited to be part of our bright future as dental hygienists.