Erin Haley-Hitz, BSDH, MS

Erin Haley-Hitz, BSDH, MS

American Dental Hygienists' Association

2024-2025 President

Expertise: Dental Hygieneorofacial myologymyofunctional therapyassociation leadership

A native of Nebraska, Erin earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry, in 1995. Subsequently, she obtained a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Human Resource Management from Nebraska Methodist College in 2002. Committed to ongoing professional development, Erin pursued additional education in myofunctional therapy, working towards certification in myofunctional therapy and lifestyle medicine at the Wellcoaches School of Coaching.


In her professional capacity, Erin engages in general clinical practice and collaborates as a partner in Pearly White Prevention. Beyond clinical work, she extends her expertise through consulting services and coaching, empowering dental hygiene departments and their practitioners. Erin is also an active member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and holds a position as a board member of Rho Chapter Corporation.


Erin’s dedication to ADHA spans an impressive 30 years, during which she has assumed various leadership roles within the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA), including a term as president and delegate. Her contributions have garnered recognition, earning her several awards, including the esteemed Dental Hygienist of the Year honors at both the component and constituent levels in Nebraska.

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American Dental Hygienists’ Association Teams Up with Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc for National Dental Hygiene Month 

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) and Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a Colgate-Palmolive Company, are proud to partner together for a fourth year in a row in support of October’s National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM).
20-Sep-2024 05:05:50 AM EDT

The American Dental Hygienists' Association Announces 2024 Class of Professional Fellows

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA®), the largest association representing dental hygienists in the United States, is proud to announce its 2024 class of ADHA Professional Fellows, a distinction earned by ADHA members who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, ongoing commitment to their education, and dedication to the dental hygiene profession.
26-Jul-2024 07:05:16 AM EDT

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association Announces New Leadership for 2024-2025

Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, begins her one-year term as the 98th president of the member organization.
25-Jul-2024 07:05:32 AM EDT

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association Announces New Leadership for 2023-2024

On July 5, as the 2023 ADHA Annual Conference got underway at McCormick Place in Chicago celebrating the association’s 100th anniversary, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association installed a new Board of Directors, along with ADHA’s new slate of officers for the fiscal year. Newly installed president, Becky Smith, CRDH, EdD, FADHA, spoke in both English and Spanish to the national and state leaders who attended the ceremony, focusing on the power of unity.
06-Jul-2023 08:15:34 AM EDT

The research states that SDF [Silver Diamine Fluoride] is great for children, patients with special needs, and individuals in the older population, but I have found that it can be utilized on any patient of any age and in any socioeconomic situation. It's not only for caries. It's also for prevention in places that could become caries, as well as for treatment of dental sensitivity.

- The minimally invasive approach

In my opinion any minimally invasive treatments, and there are quite a few on the market with others on the horizon, are especially useful because they allow us to intercede early. And that aligns with what I like most about being a dental hygienist: the ability to prevent disease and get patients on a path to good oral health.

- The minimally invasive approach

Five years in, I wanted out. Through a lot of self-discovery, I learned that it’s important to communicate your needs. Once I began to understand the business within the dental practice, I could communicate my needs in a way that made sense. We all avoid the numbers, but when you know the numbers, you can advocate properly. When it comes to workplace drama, don’t play the game. Hold your ground, but do it diplomatically. Listen to what they are feeling; don’t react. You have the ability to control your actions. Understand some things you can’t fix. Sometimes you have to leave. Some practices aren’t meant for you to be there forever. It’s OK to leave your patients, especially if it is for your own well-being. But you must commit to leaving the drama behind when you go. Come in with a clean slate.

- Is dental hygiene a 10-year career?

My journey from a dental hygienist to an innovative preventive oral health specialist is a testament to the endless possibilities within reach. By aligning passion and profession, seeking new knowledge, and fostering collaborations, anyone can find their innovation opportunity and create a lasting impact on their chosen field and community. This serves as a reminder that innovation is not limited by our titles but limitless through our determination to make a difference. Doing so can drive positive change and contribute to a healthier, more informed society.

- National Dental Hygiene Month: A time for career innovation

I use appreciative inquiry, motivational interviewing, and the fact that I really want to support THEIR [patients'] goals. They cannot be mine. I want to support their self-determination and self-efficacy in this area. If you support their plan, you will gain their trust and will be more successful in the long run.

- October 2021 Social Commentary (Dimensions of Dental Hygiene)

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