The Santa Barbara Dental Hygienists’
Association (SBDHA) is part of our tripartite association. Which
means our component association is part of a three level association,
the local component (Santa Barbara, SBDHA), the state component
(California, CDHA) and the national component (American Dental
Hygienists’ Association, ADHA).
ADHA was founded
in 1923, the beginning of the Dental Hygienists’ Association
was only on the State level, first established in 1914 in Connecticut
formed by 19 charter members and 9 associate members. Connecticut
was the first state to license Dental Hygienists and Irene Newman
was the first to receiver her license in July of 1917. As Massachusetts,
New York, and other states licensed their Dental Hygienists,
they also formed associations following Connecticut’s
example. California Dental Hygienists took the first steps to
create a national association; they prepared the resolution
and presented it to the American Dental Association. The dentists
listened to our CDHA president, Elma Platt’s presentation
and immediately gave their approval. With this support, the
California Dental Hygienists’ sent copies of a draft constitution
and bylaws to all known Dental Hygiene Associations and alumni
“with well known merits and high standards” asking
for their comments and inviting them to join the new National
Association, ADHA. The first meeting took place that September
in Cleveland, Ohio, 46 Dental Hygienists representing various
states met together. Mrs. Winifred Hart Bridgeport was voted
temporary chair and Miss Elma Platt, secretary. The constitution
and bylaws were discussed and accepted in principle so officers
could be elected and other business transacted.
By 1938, 32 states
had licensed Dental Hygienists, 17 states still did not permit
Dental Hygienists to practice. By 1954, Dental Hygiene licensure
was available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico.
Santa Barbara, in
the late 50’s had only 3 licensed Dental Hygienists practicing.
By the mid 60’s there were about 17, including Kay Graham,
Donna Abby, Fern Grimm, May Nob and Marla Hemmingway. Around
1966 these hygienists began organizing our component by arranging
a fundraiser. They asked our local Dentists for any scrape amalgam,
which they collected and sold to recyclers for the seed money
to start SBDHA. As more licensed hygienists came to Santa Barbara
the component membership continued to grow. In the 70’s
they used their resources to make visits to the schools in our
area, teaching children about their dental health. Throughout
the 80’s and 90’s our component members continued
these services, usually during Children’s Dental Health
Month in February and National Dental Hygiene Month in October
with volunteer work at Carrillo Dental Clinic, and several dental
clinics throughout the county for underprivileged children.
These continue to be a part of SBDHA events, along with a favorite
function of visiting Farmer’s Market for a toothbrush
give away and dental education for the general Santa Barbara
community.
Our component, SBDHA
continues to increase membership through political awareness
and mentorship.
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