Reps. Vander Veen, Pastor, Voorhees, Bieda, Brandenburg, Condino, Dennis, Farrah, Koetje, Meyer, Middaugh, Richardville, Sak, Shaffer, Spade, Waters, Emmons, Hager, Hopgood, Kolb, Kooiman, Law, Murphy, O'Neil, Stahl, Stallworth, Tobocman, Wojno, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Caswell, Caul, Daniels, DeRossett, Elkins, Farhat, Gieleghem, Gillard, Jamnick, Julian, Lipsey, Nitz, Paletko, Sheltrown, Shulman, Steil, Tabor, Woodward and Zelenko offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 120.
A resolution recognizing the 80th anniversary of the Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association.
Whereas, The Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association was established in 1923, and is now celebrating its 80th anniversary; and
Whereas, The organization began with nine members and now is the largest professional dental hygiene organization in Michigan, where 9,123 dental hygienists are licensed; and
Whereas, The Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association is dedicated to the public's total health through the practice of the highest standards of dental hygiene education; and
Whereas, Dr. Alfred Fones is known as the "Father of Dental Hygiene." He practiced dentistry in Bridgeport, Connecticut and in 1906 began teaching his office assistant, Irene Newman, to perform preventative oral hygiene services; and
Whereas, By 1913, Dr. Fones had launched his training program in practical labs based in his home. Twenty-seven dental hygienists graduated from the first program on June 6, 1914; and
Whereas, Russell W. Bunting, DDS, Dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan, initiated dental hygiene education at that institution in 1921. For his staunch support, he became known as the "Father of the Michigan Dental Hygiene Movement." Michigan now boasts 12 accredited dental hygiene programs; and
Whereas, The first licensure act for dental hygiene education was passed in 1923, with enforcement and administrative rules determined by the Board of Dentistry, consisting of all dentist members; and
Whereas, Following a court ruling which established dental hygiene as a profession, the membership of the Board of Dentistry was expanded in 1978 to include two dental hygiene representatives, Sally Deck, RDH and Carol Short, RDH; and
Whereas, The Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association continues to seek a more fair regulatory structure over the practice of dental hygiene as a means of ensuring the safety and welfare of the public; and
Whereas, Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association has supported changes in public policy to improve access to, and the quality of, preventative oral health care services. These have included: Public Act 58 of 1991, which permits alternative practice arrangements to facilitate the provision of dental hygiene services in public health settings; passage of administrative rules in 1991, requiring continuing education for dental hygiene re-licensure and MI CHILD - an insurance program for uninsured, low-income children, which includes oral health care services; Public Act 160 of 2000, which allowed the addition of two registered dental hygienists to the Michigan Board of Dentistry; Public Act 423 of 2002, which provides for the licensing and regulation of dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists, to prescribe certain educational requirements for dental hygienists; and to allow dental hygienists to administer intraoral block and infiltration anesthesia when particular requirements are met; Public Act 35 of 2003, which expanded their scope of practice to allow a dental hygienist or registered dental assistant to perform certain procedures under the direction or supervision of a dentist; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize the 80th anniversary of the Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association and commend the members for their valuable contribution to accessible, high quality oral health care for the people of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the association as a reflection of our esteem.