A Message from CDHA President Noel Kelsch, RDHAP

Welcome to the California Dental Hygienists’ Association: The voice of dental hygiene. It is a wonderful time to be a dental hygienist in the great state of California. Your association has made it happen for you and for all dental hygienists.

What an honor and privilege it is to be elected to serve as your President for 2008 - 2009. What an exciting year this is proving to be! For the past 20 years, dental hygienists in California have dreamed of achieving autonomy. Self-regulation of the dental hygiene profession will allow us to better serve the public and increase access to care. When SB853 is signed into law creating the Committee on Dental Hygiene, California hygienists will have achieved the autonomy that exists in no other state in the union.

Dreams that began over 80 years ago are coming to fruition in California as a result of the hard work of this organization. Not only will autonomy help us to meet the needs of all Californians but it will enlighten the public to the vital role dental hygienists play in total body health and the professional services we render.

The theme that I have chosen for the year comes from the great world leader, Gandhi. He stated, “Be the change you want to see”. As each of us does our part to contribute to the profession, the dreams that we can achieve for the future of dental hygiene are limitless.

The collective efforts of all hygienists have played a part in affecting the changes that have made dental hygiene what it is today. Some have provided public health services and had a vision for care of all while others had visions of delivering anesthesia or reaching out to those who could not access a registered dental hygienist in the typical setting. Some have simply paid their dues so that there would be funds to assist us in this journey. All of you have been trailblazers in your own way contributing to our successes.  I applaud you all each one of you!

I hope you will join me this year by becoming the words of Gandhi and actively “be the change you want to see.” If we all work towards promoting optimal oral health care for all Californians, we will find not only that our own needs will be met, but that we will become models for others who will to join our growing organization. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

Thank you for all that you do to make a difference in the world and in our world of dental hygiene.

Noel Kelsch, RDHAP