Spring Newsletter
Letter from the President:
The SDDHA board has been working diligently to advocate for all South Dakota dental hygienists this year. We have shut down major proposals in the past year including scaling by dental assistants and removing fluoride from the South Dakota public water supply. I am thankful for the SDDHA board members’ hard work in stopping these proposals from advancing. We cannot continue to fight these proposals alone. Please considering becoming an ADHA member today! As always, we are proud to provide you with high quality continuing education courses and networking opportunities. Our Vice President, Abby, has been working tirelessly to plan high quality and affordable events for you all. I hope to see you in Rapid City for Annual Session in May!
Legislative Update:
The association had a great lobby day this year. We were able to speak with legislators about the Dental Access Model Act recently adopted by the American Legislative Exchange Council. This act risks patient safety, compromises quality of care, places profits over access to care, lacks evidence, undermines the dental hygiene profession, and disregards input of the key stake holders. Additionally, we had the opportunity to discuss a bill put forward to repeal enforcement provisions and modify requirements related to the fluoridation of public water supplies. This bill was ultimately voted down in the senate. The senior students from USD’s dental hygiene program were able to join us and had a great time learning about the capitol and the processes of the state government. We look forward to this event each year!
Education and Events Update:
My name is Abby Schiley and it has been an honor to serve as the 2024-2025 South Dakota Dental
Hygienist’s Vice President.
With the advancements in technology and evolving patient needs, ongoing training empowers dental
professionals to provide the best care possible. SDDHA is excited to be a partner with you in providing
education on new techniques, innovative tools, and the latest in evidence-based practices. Whether
dental professionals are looking to refine their clinical skills, comply with new regulations, or connect
with peers, continuing education is our pathway to success. Investing in your education not only
enhances your skills, it elevates your career and benefits the public.
SDDHA Winter Webinar Series
2/10/25 - Specialty Dentistry- Cheryl Clements, RDH, MS
2/11/2025 - The Hygienist Made Me Bleed - Carol Jahn, MS
2/12/2025 – Innovative Approaches to Caries Management – Wendy Bebey, RDH, BS
SDDHA March CE Event-Sioux Falls
3/12/2025- Hidden in Plain Sight-Human Trafficking Identification and Response – Mary Jackson,
Survivor Service & Program Coordinator at Call to Freedom
SDDHA April CE Event- Rapid City
4/25/2025- All About Implants- Maddie Bertels, DDS
The 2025 Annual Session will be held in-person in Rapid City at the Monument
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Don’t Be So Sensitive: Managing Dentinal Hypersensitivity Pre & Post Debridement- Dr. Joy Void-Holms,
BSDH, RDH
Navigating the Waves of Dental Hygiene - Ryan Ruter, RDH, MA and Erin Haley-Hinz, RDH, MS
Friday, May 16, 2025
Infection Control, Risk Management, and OSHA/HIPPA for the Dental Team - Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA
Evidence Based Instrumentation Choice- Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA
Oral Surgery and Oral Pathology, A Radiographic Review: Dr. Scott Van Dam
Speakers are sponsored by Delta Dental, South Dakota Board of Dentistry, Solventum, Hagar, Medicom
and Gum
Thank you for attending our CE Events in 2024-2025. We look forward to hearing any suggestions for
future education and training.
Respectfully Submitted,
Abby Schiley, RDH
2024-25 South Dakota Dental Hygienists’ Association Vice President