The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) will host its 2025 Annual Conference from October 4 to 6 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, with a new option that expands access beyond the venue. Registered attendees will be able to view selected livestream sessions for free, offering a flexible alternative for those who may not be able to attend every session in person.
Livestream participants can earn continuing education (CE) credits from anywhere by using the code ADHA25LIVE at checkout. The featured livestream sessions include:
-
“The Power of Fluoride: From Chemistry to Chairside Care” on Saturday, October 4, from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. PT (1.5 CE credits). This session is sponsored by Colgate and presented by Victoria V. Patrounova, RDH, MHA, associate professor at the University of Texas Houston School of Dentistry. Registration is available here.
-
“Is Mouthrinse the Missing Piece of the Preventive Care Puzzle?” on Saturday, October 4, from noon to 1:30 p.m. PT (1.5 CE credits). Sponsored by Kenvue, this session will be led by Kim Milleman, RDH, PhD, and Dr. Kumar C. Shah, professor of clinical dentistry at UCLA. Registration is available here.
Both sessions will be available for on-demand viewing after the event, allowing participants to stay connected and continue their learning on their own schedule.
Now in its 102nd year, the ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of dental hygienists. The association supports a national community of more than 220,000 registered dental hygienists and is focused on expanding access to care, advocating for the profession, and developing new opportunities for career advancement.
Attendees at ADHA25 can earn up to 21.0 CE credits during the main conference, with the potential to earn a total of 31.0 CE credits by also attending pre-conference courses. The educational program is structured around six core tracks: clinical skill building, mastering emerging technologies, precision patient care, educational methodology, preventive strategies, and dental hygiene career development. Topics range from pain management and radiographic techniques to faculty calibration, sleep-disorder screening, and artificial intelligence in clinical settings.
A variety of learning formats will be available to support different educational goals and experience levels. Breakout lectures will offer traditional CE content in an interactive format, while hands-on labs will allow participants to practice clinical techniques using new equipment and materials. Additional options include rapid-fire presentations, fireside chats for peer-to-peer discussion, and half- or full-day master classes focused on certification and advanced clinical training.
In addition to education, ADHA25 includes a strong emphasis on career support. The Career Services Experience will offer resume-building resources, job board access, and opportunities to meet with recruiters. Attendees can also participate in a professional headshot lounge and attend sessions focused on job satisfaction, resilience in students, and motivational interviewing.
The conference also highlights service and advocacy. On Friday, October 3, the ADHA Foundation will host two volunteer events: a community service project in the morning and a beach cleanup at Alamitos Beach in the afternoon. That same day, Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental van will be onsite, giving attendees a chance to tour the unit and learn about its role in providing preventive oral health care to children across the country.
ADHA25 also features multiple networking events designed to help dental hygienists build community. These include the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception, the California Dreamin’ Welcome Reception on Friday evening, and the After Dark Party on Sunday night. The ADHA25 Wellness Countdown, a peer-to-peer fundraising initiative, encourages attendees to track their fitness goals in the weeks leading up to the event while raising funds for scholarships and grants through the ADHA Foundation.
Throughout its history, ADHA has focused on integrating dental hygienists more fully into the broader healthcare system. The association advocates for expanded practice models, supports licensure portability, and offers continuing education and research opportunities to help dental hygienists stay at the forefront of patient care.
With the addition of livestream access and flexible CE options, this year’s conference aims to bring the dental hygiene community together—whether on-site in Long Beach or online from across the country.
“For years, we’ve been creating ripples of change in the profession. Now we’re building momentum and turning those ripples into waves,” says Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, president of the ADHA. “Whether you are at the conference or not, I want every hygienist to know that ADHA is here for you — and we want you involved.”
For more information about ADHA25 and to register, visit adha.org/adha25.
