By Lindsey Naughton, MA
At ADHA25 in Long Beach, California, the annual conference of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), ADHA Foundation will host a variety of events that highlight its shared commitment to education, access to care, and professional growth. Kicking off on Friday, October 3, Community Service Day will showcase the Foundation’s dedication to giving back to local communities while advancing the dental hygiene profession.
The ADHA Foundation — formerly known as the Institute for Oral Health (IOH) — recently rebranded to strengthen its connection to ADHA and clarify its role as the association’s charitable arm. The Foundation continues its longstanding mission to advance the dental hygiene profession and expand access to oral care through scholarships, research grants, and community service grants.
Local Volunteer Community Service Project
(9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, in the Long Beach community)
Conference attendees will provide vital oral health education and preventive screenings to underserved families in the Long Beach area in partnership with Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile unit. This hands-on service project brings together ADHA members to make a direct impact on community health.
Community Service Beach Clean Up
(2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Alamitos Beach)
Foundation volunteers will give back to the Long Beach community with an afternoon beach cleanup at Alamitos Beach, making a tangible difference in the local environment. Sponsored by Medicom.
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® Mobile Unit Tour
(4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Outside the Convention Center Lobby)
For the first time at an ADHA conference, all attendees can step inside Colgate’s iconic Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental van. This exclusive tour celebrates Colgate’s global commitment to advancing children’s oral health. With a presence in over 80 countries and a U.S. fleet of eight mobile dental units that reach over 1,000 cities annually, BSBF brings oral health education, free screenings, and whole-health wellness to children ages 12 and under — all at no cost to families. Tour the same bright, welcoming space where thousands of children across the country receive care and learn about healthy habits.
Connect With the Foundation Throughout the Conference
Beyond Community Service Day, attendees can engage with the ADHA Foundation at multiple touchpoints throughout the conference. Visit the Foundation Booth in the Long Beach Convention Center Lobby to learn about scholarships and grants that support dental hygiene students and practitioners. Participate in the Wellness Challenge and mark your calendar for Corporate Match Day on Saturday, October 4, when corporate partners will match donations to maximize the impact of every contribution.
“The Foundation’s greatest impact lies in shaping the future of dental hygiene,” says Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, 2025-2026 ADHA Foundation Chair. “You can see it right here at ADHA25 — students attending on travel grants, experiencing the education, the camaraderie, and discovering what it means to be part of our dental hygiene community. By investing in students, empowering hygienists, and expanding access to care, we are building a stronger profession and a healthier tomorrow.”
This vision drives everything the Foundation does — from providing scholarships that open doors for aspiring dental hygienists, to funding research that advances the profession, to supporting community service initiatives that bring oral health care to underserved populations.
Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and this year’s theme — “The Power of Us” — perfectly captures what Community Service Day represents. When we come together as a profession, collaborate with partners like Colgate and Medicom, and work side-by-side to serve our communities, we demonstrate the collective strength that advances and elevates dental hygiene. There’s no better time to celebrate this power by investing in our future. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the ADHA Foundation — an investment that strengthens our profession and advances oral health for all. Every contribution supports scholarships, research grants, and community service initiatives that make a lasting difference. Donations can be made at https://www.adha.org/foundation/donate.
The ADHA Foundation, founded in 1956, advances the dental hygiene profession and expands access to oral care through scholarships, research grants, and community service grants.
To get more information about the ADHA Foundation, to make a donation, or to learn about scholarship and grant opportunities, visit adha.org/foundation.
