April 28, 2009

Louisiana Registered Dental Hygienists,

Maintaining your commitment to LDHA/ADHA is one of the strongest statements you can make in support of your profession and your development as a dental hygienist. Now more than ever, you will benefit from the support and encouragement of belonging to the largest association that represents the interests of dental hygienists and the patients they serve.

Other associations offer membership to dental hygienists, but the Louisiana/American Dental Hygienists’ Association is the only organization committed to developing YOU as a professional.

We are here for you in so many ways: continuing education, powerful networking and community support opportunities through local components, discounts on professional tools, assistance moving to another practice or state, and answers to your questions on techniques, tools, and day-to-day practice issues.

LDHA/ADHA membership also offers intangible benefits. We serve as your voice in issues that impact your profession—educational standards, scope of practice, the settings you work in, and requirements for licensure. No other organization is solely committed to representing the dental hygiene profession.

When you use the discounts available to you as a member, you even earn back your membership dues, adding up savings like these:

• Access to affordable group medical insurance, plus disability, liability, and life insurance
• Free discount pharmacy card, worth 55% savings on generic drugs, 15% on brands
• 10% discount on Orascoptic loupes
• 10% discount on Tafford uniforms
• Hotel discounts, 10% off best available rate
• Discounted Geico auto insurance, as much as 8%
• Discounted cell phone packages
• 20% discount plus free shipping at ADHA/Prentice Hall Health online bookstore

Your membership in LDHA/ADHA is a practical investment in your continuing success on the dental hygiene path. LDHA/ADHA is simply the best source for all the resources, connections, and guidance you need to succeed. Benefits like these are invaluable to you as a professional.

Your involvement in LDHA/ADHA ensures that you stay competitive, at the forefront of the field. You learn about the latest techniques and tools. You establish professional contacts. You get a voice in the expansion of the profession.

During the past month, LDHA leadership approached the State Board of Dentistry, the Louisiana Dental Association and their Governmental Affairs Committee about supporting a proposal to allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide in the state of Louisiana. As you know, the current law in Louisiana does not allow dental hygienists to perform this duty. Upon hearing LDHA’s proposal, the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry stated that they will not oppose the proposal and the LDA issued LDHA a letter of support signed by the president of LDA and the Chairman of LDA’s Governmental Affairs Committee.

Our lobbyist, Legislative Chair and leadership have been working diligently to get our legislative package together so we can present this to the legislators during the 2010 legislative session. We value you as part of the dental hygiene profession and would like you to be a part of our organization.

Thank you,
Diane O’Connor , RDH, BSDH
President, LDHA

Diann Bomkamp, RDH, BSDH
President, American Dental Hygienists’ Association

LOUISIANA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
7833 Office Park Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 926-1986 * TOLL-FREE (800) 388-6642 * FAX 926-1886

April 9, 2009

To: Members of the Louisiana Legislature
RE: Administration of Nitrous Oxide by Dental Hygienists

On behalf of the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) Board of Directors, we would like to express our support for the Louisiana Dental Hygienists’ Association (LDHA) proposed legislation regarding the administration of nitrous oxide.

At the April 4, 2009, meeting of the LDA Board, the LDHA’s president, legislative chair and lobbyist outlined a proposal to allow trained, licensed dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide under the direct supervision of a dentist. Under direct supervision, the dentist responsible for the procedure must be physically present during patient care. Authorization for hygienists to administer this anesthetic would be contingent upon their receiving appropriate didactic training while in hygiene school, as well as instruction on basic medical emergency techniques. The LDA Board voted to support the LDHA’s proposal under these terms, which should ensure more efficient delivery of care without compromising patient safety.

Please evaluate the information provided to you by the LDHA. The practice of dentistry has become more and more complex, and professionalism, efficiency and technical abilities in the dental office have never been more important. With this in mind, the LDA Board of Directors respectfully encourages you to consider supporting this proposed legislation when it is introduced in the 2010 regular session.

Thank you for your time and attention. Please feel free to contact the LDA office at (225) 926-1986 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Charles B. Foy, Jr.
LDA 2009-2010 President

Dr. William A. Hadlock
LDA Chair of the Council on Government Affairs