MDHA Legislative Priorities 2026
Advocacy is necessary to achieve legislative success
Understanding the purpose of and need for a strong professional advocacy program is the first step in achieving legislative success. It is important to know what role the MDHA plays in these efforts, and more importantly, what role you play in this process.
You, as a member of MDHA, are an advocate for dental hygienists and for the patients you serve.
Get to Know Your Legislators
MDHA encourages all hygienists to build grassroots connections and strengthen relationships in the communities where you live and work. Start by researching your legislators using the links below, then invite them to meet for coffee in your area. Share with them the depth of education, clinical training hours, and examinations required to become a registered dental hygienist in Missouri. Be sure to express your position on the proposed “scaling assistant” expansion, explaining how limited education for supragingival scaling and periodontal probing can put patients’ health at risk. The Missouri Dental Association is advocating to make the current Oral Preventive Assistant pilot program permanent, and we may see this bill introduced during the 2026 legislative session.
Your voice and personal connections are vital to protecting the quality of patient care in our state.Your voice matters — and so does your support. Please make a contribution to the MO-HY PAC today. Every dollar strengthens our ability to back candidates who will stand with Missouri dental hygienists and protect the quality of care our patients deserve. The decisions made in the next legislative sessions will shape our profession for years to come.
Stand with Missouri Dental Hygienists by Supporting the Fight for Patient Safety. Help Fund the Legal Defense by Taking Action Today!
