The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) announced on March 20 the release of the 2025 Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice, sponsored by Crest + Oral-B. This fourth edition represents the first comprehensive update to the Standards since 2016 and provides an evidence-based framework to guide clinical practice.
“We are delighted to deliver these updated Standards to reflect the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape,” said Erin Haley-Hitz, ADHA president. “This document is more than a guide — it’s a defining framework for excellence in dental hygiene. It reinforces the critical role of comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning in delivering high-quality patient care. As clinicians, we have a responsibility to uphold these standards and collaborate with our colleagues to integrate evidence-based practices that elevate our profession.”
The standards have served as the profession’s guiding document since their initial development in 1985. This latest edition reflects notable advancements in healthcare delivery, emphasizing the integration of social determinants of health and risk assessment into clinical practice while reinforcing the profession’s commitment to evidence-based care.
“At Crest + Oral-B, we share ADHA’s commitment to advancing the dental hygiene profession through evidence-based practice and person-centered care,” said Beth Jordan, MS, RDH, FADHA, Procter & Gamble. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to improve consumers’ daily brushing habit for better oral and whole-body health outcomes through innovation, education, and supporting the professionals at the forefront of preventive care.”
Significant enhancements in the 2025 Standards include the following:
- Comprehensive assessment protocols that evaluate social determinants of health and risk factors.
- Expanded dental hygiene diagnosis framework incorporating systemic health considerations.
- Complete redesign of planning standards with emphasis on collaborative decision-making.
- Updated implementation guidelines highlighting evidence-based product recommendations.
- Enhanced evaluation and documentation standards reflecting modern healthcare practices.
- Refreshed dental hygiene process of care model illustrating the interconnected nature of all standards.
The revised Standards were developed by a committee of renowned content experts in dental hygiene led by JoAnn Gurenlian, MS, PhD, RDH, AAFAAOM, FADHA.
“These Standards represent the collaborative work of experts in dental hygiene education, research, and practice,” said Gurenlian, ADHA director of education, research and advocacy, and staff lead for the project. “The committee members showed incredible dedication to the profession, contributing countless hours over the past six months to create this comprehensive guidance document that will enhance the quality of dental hygiene care nationwide.”
The 2025 Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice are available for immediate download at www.adha.org/standards. A free webinar, “Elevating Care: New Standards in Clinical Dental Hygiene,” will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 6-7 p.m. CT. The ADHA webinar will offer 1.0 CE credit and is sponsored by Crest + Oral-B.
Additionally, an in-depth session about the revised Standards will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center during the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference.
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