Report of 2015 ADHA Annual Session in Nashville, TN
By Kim Bastin, CDA, EFDA, RDH, MS
Delegate to ADHA
It was a great honor to represent Northeast Florida Dental Hygiene Association (NEFDHA) and the Florida Dental Hygiene Association (FDHA) at the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA) Annual Session in Nashville, TN from June 20, 2015 to June 23, 2015. Prior to the annual session, all delegates and alternate delegates were required to participate in district web conference meetings on two occasions. During these meetings delegates have the opportunity to discuss ADHA documents and their contents prior to the annual session to ensure all participants know what will be occurring during the ADHA business meetings.
As a FDHA delegate, I participated in the following meetings at the ADHA annual session: two district IV meetings; the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd House of Delegates; reference committee meetings; the President’s awards for excellence luncheon; the candidate’s corner; the district IV dinner; governance design; and mega issues meeting. Participation in the business portion of the ADHA annual session opens one’s eyes to the impact a dental hygienist can have on the profession and how important the organization of our profession truly is. Governance Design was the mega issues topic at this year’s session.
The ADHA is in the process of evaluating different Governance Designs to determine if there is a better method of disseminating information and involving the “volunteer” members of the association on every level. More information should be coming as the association completes studies and evaluation on the current governance design and potential improvements to be implemented in the future.
One of the largest roles of a FDHA delegate is to determine which ADHA PRs to recommend incorporating in the FDHA. At the conclusion of the session the delegates had correspondence via e-mail and discussed which PRs to recommend for the state and why. The delegates determined that all of the PRs presented at the ADHA annual session this year should be brought back to the state of Florida and presented at the 2015 FDHA annual session and house of delegates.
I have been a dental hygienist for 14 years and continue to be amazed at how much our profession has changed over the years. It takes a group of strong willed intelligent individuals working together to push the profession forward. I am happy to say that I am a dental hygienist and part of such a wonderful profession and organization. Thank you for selecting me to serve as a delegate for the NEFDHA and FDHA.
Kim Bastin, CDA, EFDA, CRDH, MS
