CDHA President
Susan Lopez, RDH, BS


Dear Colleagues,

I am proud to be part of this accomplished, dedicated association of health care providers and I am honored to be your President. This is a year of celebration of our profession’s many milestones and accomplishments. The first and foremost is our one hundred year anniversary honoring our “Proud Past and Unlimited Future”. During our first century, ADHA and CDHA have represented dental hygienists’ positions, passions and potential to the public, to the government and to our partners in health care. As we move into our second century, all members can take pride in our profession’s progress and look with purpose and excitement to our unlimited future.

CDHA celebrates this anniversary year with the achievements and milestones of its exceptional members. Katie Dawson is the much deserved 2012 recipient of the prestigious ADHA/Johnson & Johnson Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene. Michael Long and the San Francisco Dental Hygiene Society are the recipients of the Wrigley Jr. Company Community Service Grant.

Let this year of recognition and celebration be the year that CDHA hears your voice. CDHA is your organization. Your fellow members are working this year to address the concerns we hear from our members. CDHA representatives have met with the Industrial Relations Board, the Employment Development Dept and the Labor Board to clarify the Independent Contractor issues facing our members. Other leaders have met with government agencies to improve payment for services for our members working in regional centers and serving underserved populations. CDHA now has representation on numerous coalitions and health groups that include a vast and varied number of organizations. These coalitions will increase our ability to address health care issues that affect our citizens and strengthen CDHA’s voice concerning issues affecting our profession.

Be a part of this growing force. What we do as members and as an organization matters. Barriers are falling, alliances are growing and opportunities for the future are evolving. What is happening in health care and in our profession is too exciting, too challenging and too rewarding to miss.

Step up, reach out, get involved and be part of health care history. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

Susan Lopez, RDH, BS
President
California Dental Hygienists’ Association