RDHs take action: National movement launched to raise standards and public awareness
Seven weeks ago, the Oral Health Awareness Project took a bold step. The group set out to launch a national movement with one purpose: elevate the recognition and respect of degree-holding registered dental hygienists through the power of public relations.
Under my direction as executive director, we hired a PR firm to shine a light on the life-saving care RDHs provide to ensure our voices are heard across media, legislation, and the public eye. To make this campaign accessible and grassroots-driven, we called on dental hygienists across the country to contribute a one-time membership fee to help fund the campaign. Instead of waiting to raise the full one-year budget, we focused on the first four months.
Thanks to overwhelming support, we hit our goal in just seven weeks.
Matter Communications, a nationally respected PR firm, was officially hired to bring media visibility to the critical role RDHs play in systemic and preventive health, all while reinforcing the value of our CODA-accredited education.
What’s behind the Oral Health Awareness Project
This effort is about more than recognition—it’s about protecting the public. With legislation quietly emerging in several states that aims to introduce providers with lesser educational requirements, we must sound the alarm. We cannot allow public safety to be compromised.
All dental organizations and industry stakeholders must recognize the impact these bills will have on their businesses. Will these new providers be skilled in advanced instrumentation? Will they perform thorough oral and pharyngeal cancer screenings? Will they integrate advanced modalities like silver diamine fluoride, desiccation therapy, guided biofilm therapy (GBT), or Curodont or salivary testing protocols?
This is not just about who provides care, it’s about the quality of care being provided.
We’re incredibly grateful to the many companies and dental professionals who have already joined us. Your support proves that this is not just a hygienist issue but a dental industry issue. Moving forward, we welcome collaboration from all groups, associations, and organizations. Everything created through this campaign—press releases, media kits, talking points, and educational materials—will be freely available for everyone to use.
What’s next for the movement
But we cannot stop at awareness. Let’s work on real solutions, like expanding scope of practice for dental hygienists and advocating for higher educational standards for dental assistants. If we raise the bar for all members of the dental team, we raise the quality and safety of care for patients nationwide.
While our four-month funding goal has been met, we must keep the momentum going to sustain this campaign for an entire year. The next steps will include media outreach, health-care publications, branding, legislative materials, and more. Please help us spread the word!
Now is the time to act. Let’s raise the standard, change the narrative, and protect our profession and the patients we serve.
Follow Oral Health Awareness Project on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Learn more and join the movement at oralhealthawarenessproject.org.
