As a dental hygiene student, I am deeply troubled by the recent decisions made by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA's House of Delegates recently voted to remove faculty-to-student ratios in dental hygiene programs and allow dental students and foreign-trained dentists to practice dental hygiene, all without passing a state licensing exam (Resolutions 401, 413, and 514B).

The dental hygiene field requires comprehensive training and strict adherence to safety protocols - a structurally guaranteed quality that a maintained faculty-to-student ratio ensures. This is not just about preserving educational and professional standards; it's about safeguarding patient safety too.

Research indicates that appropriate faculty-to-student ratios improve quality of instruction and student outcomes. A report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that for health-related professions, lower student-faculty ratios are associated with higher graduation rates. There is a clear need for dedicated, qualified faculty in our dental hygiene programs to ensure effective learning and safe practice.

Allowing dental students and foreign-trained dentists who have not passed a state licensing exam to practice dental hygiene disregards the rigorous preparation Dental Hygienists undergo. As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass a written exam, and complete a clinical exam prior to licensure.

The decisions by the ADA impose significant risks, not just within our classrooms, but extending to our patients and the reputation of our profession. Stand with us in opposing these resolutions. Let's preserve the high standards of dental hygiene programs, and protect the safety of our patients. Please sign this petition and raise your voice against the ADA's troubling and harmful resolutions.