The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) installed its new board of directors and slate of leaders for the 2025–2026 fiscal year at the close of the 102nd House of Delegates on Saturday, June 28. President Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, will lead the organization as its 99th president.
“The time has come for us to turn ripples into big waves, to rapidly drive meaningful impact and claim our role as the preventive oral health specialist,” said President VanGuilder during her installation. “The world is watching. Let’s show the world what happens when dental hygienists unite, evolve, and take immediate action.”
VanGuilder, a graduate of the University of South Dakota who calls Reno, Nev., home, has served as past president of the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association and on the ADHA board of directors. Her leadership has earned her prestigious recognition, including the ADHA Professional Achievement Award, the ADHA Award for Excellence, Nevada Dental Hygienist of the Year, and the internationally recognized Denobi “All-Star” Award. She currently owns an independent mobile dental hygiene practice, serves as clinical director of Sierra Sleep, Airway & Wellness Center, and founded Hygienist for Health, an AGD PACE-approved national CE company. VanGuilder succeeds Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, as president. Haley-Hitz will remain on the Board of Directors, serving as immediate past president.
Additional ADHA officers installed at the House of Delegates meeting include:
- Jessica August, MSDH, CDA, RDH, FADHA, of Portland, Oregon, as president-elect; and Christina Emmert, RDH, PHDH, PRP, FADHA, of Rockford, Illinois, as vice president.
- Amanda Knutt, MSDH, RDH, CST, FADHA, was elected as the 2025–2027 treasurer.
The newly installed district directors are:
- Amanda Berthiaume, RDH, CDA, MSDH, FADHA, of Massachusetts, District I (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), continuing after serving as interim director
- Jody Berinato, RDH, BS, FADHA, District III (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia)
- Elizabeth Monnin, RDH, MSEd, District V (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio)
- Jennifer Lehto, BSDH, RDH, EFDA, CDA, FADHA, District VII (Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
- Shawna Greer, RDH, MDH, FADHA, District IX (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas)
- Laura Vanderwerf, BSDH, RDH, EPDH, CDA, FADHA, District XI (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington)
District directors returning in 2025–26 include:
- Carolynn B. Wahl, RDH, BSDH, PHDHP, FADHA, District II (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania)
- Renee Spencer, RDH, FADHA, District IV (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina)
- Carrie Fowler, RDH, BHS, MSM, District VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee)
- Laura Green, RDH, MEd, FADHA, District X (Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)
With the election of Christina Emmert as VP, District VIII (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) is presently vacant.
The new board will come together in person at the ADHA Annual Conference, scheduled for Oct. 4–6, 2025, in Long Beach, Calif.
Learn more about ADHA leadership at adha.org/bod.
About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the only organization representing the professional interests of the more than 226,000 dental hygienists in the United States. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH), published bi-monthly, is ADHA’s scientific journal and flagship publication. To learn more about the ADHA, dental hygiene, or the link between oral health and general health, visit adha.org.
