2015-2017 STRATEGIC PLAN
Core Ideology
Lead the transformation of the dental hygiene profession to improve the public’s oral and overall health
Vision Statement
Integration of dental hygienists into the healthcare delivery system as primary care providers. Dental hygienists will practice to
the fullest extent of their education, training, and licensure to improve access to oral health care.
Core Values
Ethics, Service, Collaboration, Quality, Community, Lifelong Learning
GOAL: I Alliances – SDDHA is better positioning the profession to be viewed as an integrated part of the healthcare system
through strategic partnerships.
Objective: A
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Objective: B
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Increase strategic partnerships with other organizations.
Cultivate relationships with strategic partners.
 Sponsoring the following groups through donations: South Dakota Public Health Association, Head Start,
and the South Dakota Nursing Association.
 Create or join existing action groups with (in) these associations.
Expand efforts to support dental hygiene integration within the healthcare system.
Identify opportunities to support dental hygiene integration into the healthcare system.
 Create a guide for SD hygienists interested in providing dental screenings in health care settings.
 Distribute guide via website and other electronic means.
Goal: II Education – South Dakota Dental Hygienists will be prepared for the evolving scope of professional practice and
settings
Objective: A
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Objective: B
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Objective: C
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Build stakeholder knowledge of the profession.
Promote and leverage SDDHA resources and communication of information related to the dental hygiene
profession with key stakeholders.
 Create a brochure detailing dental hygiene education and scope of practice in South Dakota.
 Distribute this brochure via website, state meetings, legislative day, and other appropriate settings in
which stakeholders are present.
Strengthen collaborative partnerships with dental hygiene educators and students.
Promote value of SDDHA to educators and students through communication and planned activities.
 Provide education to students about membership opportunities and experiences.
 Provide mentorship to students thru outreach following ADHA’s guidelines, see Appendix A.
Expand professional development opportunities for lifelong learners.
Diversify educational and professional development opportunities.
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Create a page on our website that includes local, regional, and national CE events available to our
members.
Create a page on our website that informs members of local, regional, and national alternative
professional opportunities, job openings, and educational opportunities.
Goal: III Advocacy - The profession of dental hygiene will advance at the state level.
Objective: A
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Strategy: 2
Action Plan
Strengthen the voice and influence of dental hygienists in the South Dakota legislative and regulatory arenas
Maximize the ability of dental hygiene to practice in alternative settings and achieve reimbursement
 Create a brochure educating other health care professionals as to the importance of the role of the dental
hygienist and the provision of oral health screenings and dental care.
 Create a collaborative agreement plan to prepare for future legislation, including our recommendations and
suggestions for how to best continue this collaboration.
 Contact other state associations for help in creating a model for dental hygiene insurance reimbursement.
Create awareness of dental hygiene initiatives and develop legislative leadership
 Communicate current SDDHA legislation and initiatives via website and other electronic means.
 Communicate current ADHA legislation and initiatives via website and other electronic means.
Goal: IV Infrastructure – SDDHA will have the infrastructure to support its core ideology and vision
Objective: A
Strategy: 1
Action Plan
Strategy: 2
Action Plan
Secure infrastructure stability and current association operations
Identify current and future infrastructure needs of the association
 Continue Budget analysis.
 Investigate fundraisers and sponsorship opportunities. Example: Oral B, Patterson, Colgate, etc.
Increase our relevance to dental hygiene professionals
 Enhance communications to promote awareness of SDDHA activities.
 Support ADHA’s role in promoting student relations by seeking out speaking opportunities and creating
mentorship guidelines. See Appendix A
Appendix A
SDDHA Mentor Guidelines
What is a Mentor?
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In general, mentoring is seen as a person or action that has such influence as to direct another's choices and affect their perspectives
(Furgeson, 2008).
Who is a Mentor (Wilder, 2007)?
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One who has the ability to inspire confidence in others, push them to their limits, and continue to develop them to their greatest potential;
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People who can see more in you than you see in yourself;
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One who creates a vision and development plan that takes advantage of the protégé’s strengths, abilities, and potential for growth; and,
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A facilitator of independence, self-confidence, job satisfaction, and upward mobility.
Mentor Guidelines (Taken from the Virtual Mentor Program developed by the ADHA, adapted for the SDDHA):
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I respect my mentee’s time, and I will answer e-mails promptly.
I will try to guide my mentee by words and example.
I realize the relationship between me and my mentee is professional and that our communications should remain private.
I acknowledge that any views, opinions, guidance or remarks I may make are personal and may not reflect the views, opinions, guidance
or remarks of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, its constituents and components, or any other professional association.
I will notify my mentee when I am unavailable to receive/send e-mails.
I promise to abide by these guidelines or any other guidelines in the future, adopted by the ADHA, or SDDHA. If I fail to adhere to these
guidelines, I understand and agree that I am not working under the recommendations of my organization.
I understand that my assignment as a mentor is voluntary. If I elect to discontinue my participation in a mentoring program, I agree to
promptly e-mail my mentee of this decision. As a courtesy to my mentee, I will also promptly notify the appropriate local sponsoring
constituent or component so the mentee can be guided to find another mentor.
Furgeson, D; George, M; Nesbit, S; Peterson, C; Peterson, D; Wilder, R. (2008). Journal of Dental Hygiene, Vol. 82,
No. 1.
Wilder, R. (2007). The Importance of Mentoring. Journal of Dental Hygiene, Vol. 81, No. 2.