The Oral Health Awareness Project
Summary
- The Root Causes of the Tension - Decades of dentist training gaps, the industrialization of dentistry, and ignorance of the oral-systemic connection have led to adversarial relationships and undervaluing of hygienists’ expertise.
- Hygienists as Co-Therapists - Far beyond “cleaning teeth,” dental hygienists deliver care that prevents systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s—and they are critical to addressing rising implant failures.
- A Movement for Change - OHAP is mobilizing hygienists to educate lawmakers and the public, build a “starfish alliance” across the profession, and shift the narrative toward respect, collaboration, and sustainable healthcare.
