ABOUT US

Executive Summary

The National Network for Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the role of Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) as essential partners in integrated, value-based healthcare. The organization's core mission is to facilitate this advancement through specialized workforce development, professional credentialing, and the promotion of sustainable medical-dental integration.

NNHH envisions a future where RDHs are fully integrated into every patient-centered healthcare team, utilizing their complete scope of practice to combat oral-systemic diseases and enhance overall population health.

To achieve this, NNHH focuses on several key areas. We provide advanced, evidence-based training programs that comply with ASTM E2659 standards, positioning RDHs as experts in chronic disease management and collaborative care. The organization also cultivates a supportive professional community, offering resources to empower RDHs to practice confidently in both medical and dental settings. Furthermore, NNHH is committed to establishing a clear credentialing pathway to formally integrate RDHs into hospital and healthcare systems, with a specific focus on improving patient outcomes through the management of oral-systemic health.

2026/27 Priorities     

Workforce Development and Credentialing

1. Maintain the current ASTM E2659 accreditation status for the Oral Systemic Educator (OSE) Certificate Program, and continue to collect enough data to achieve accreditation for the Oncology Oral Care Certificate Program to ensure the highest standards of educational quality.
2. Develop and launch critical workforce training programs in “Dental Sleep Medicine/Airway” and “Hospital-Based Oral Care” to prepare RDHs to work in those roles.
3. Create micro-credentials and digital badges that form clear career advancement pathways for RDHs, providing a standardized approach to medical-dental integration that fosters understanding and collaboration across both healthcare sectors.
4. Engage with key healthcare stakeholders to establish pilot programs for RDH employment in acute care settings.

Beyond 2027

1. To reach more international hygienists who desire the type of knowledge, education and networking we offer.
2. To partner with allied individuals and organizations that have advanced education to offer, and desire a collaborator with experience building quality certificate programs that meet both AGD PACE and ANAB/ASTM standards.
3. To support a doctorate level degree for RDHs so that we may govern ourselves and meet the current demands for:
1. Qualified dental hygiene educators
2. Integration into complex healthcare systems and medical specialty clinics
3. Advanced oral systemic and dental hygiene research