The mission of the NHDHA is to improve the public's total health by ensuring the access to quality oral health care by advancing the art and science of Dental Hygiene; increasing awareness of the cost effective benefits of prevention, promoting the highest standards of Dental Hygiene education, licensure, practice and research, and representing and promoting interests of Dental Hygienists.
The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) was formed in 1923 to develop communication and mutual cooperation among dental hygienists. NHDHA was established in 1945 and has evolved over the years to become the largest professional organization representing over 1500 dental hygienists in the state of NH. We are a division of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) with 150,000 dental hygienists nationally and our members enjoy professional support, educational programs, and numerous opportunities for participation in association decision making. Locally, NHDHA monitors all oral health legislation and regulatory issues while working in collaboration with NHTI, the Board of Dental Examiners, the NH Oral Health Coalition, the NH Dental Society, Delta Dental and all stakeholders with a vested interest in oral health. NHDHA is working to capitalize on the evolving health care arena to ensure that dental hygienists assume their appropriate role in the U.S. health care delivery system. Dental hygienists are the professionals best suited to guarantee prevention because they are regulated, licensed and educated to provide safe, effective quality oral health care to all Americans.
Board of Trustees
Linda Charron, RDH, CHHP, BEP
Linda has been practicing clinical hygiene since 1981, with a focus on perio. She is currently working in perio management with an oral systemic focus and since 2007 has been employed in a nutrition/functional and bioenergetic practice. Linda is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and is currently studying for her ND degree.
Pam Delahanty, RDH
Pam is employed with Monadnock Community Hospital as the Program Coordinator of Monadnock Healthy Teeth to Toes, a school based dental/obesity prevention program. A graduate of Westbrook College, Pam has over 28 years of clinical experience. She is a past Community Representative on Southwestern Community Services Head Start Policy Council and is a member of the Southwestern Community Services Health Advisory
Council.
A past speaker at Yankee Dental Congress and the Texas Dental Conference she is passionate about education and public health, and is seen within her community as an ambassador and advocate for the underserved.
Anne Despres, RDH, BA
Anne holds a BA in Theatre Arts and an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. She has diverse interests and life experiences. Anne is an adaptable, willing helper and is comfortable with public speaking. When leading, Anne believes in leading from a place of mutual respect.
Anne is Secretary of NHDHA and works full time at a general dentistry office.
Joan Kenney-Fitzgerald, RDH-C
Joan served as President of NHDHA from 1995-1996 and again from 2008-2009. She also served as Legislative Chair for several years, is a member of the NHDHA Governance Committee and has a key interest in Leadership Development. Joan continues to serve our organization in many different ways. She was recently elected ADHA District 1 Trustee.
Joan has been a practicing hygienist for over 30 years, working in a variety of settings, and she is a Junior Executive Director with Oxyfresh Worldwide.
Melanie J. Huntington, RDH, BS
Melanie J. Huntington has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years and is currently employed as an Account Manager at Northeast Delta Dental Plan. In addition, she also continues to work as a clinical dental hygienist. She graduated with an Associates degree in Dental Hygiene from Springfield Technical Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University. Melanie has held positions in the Association on a component and state level. Currently, she is a member of the Concord Dental Sealant Coalition and a recent graduate of Leadership Greater Concord program sponsored by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce.
Susanne Kuehl, RDH, BS
Susanne is employed with Colgate's subsidiary Tom's of Maine as Category Associate Brand Manager in oral care. A graduate of Westbrook College and Daniel Webster for marketing management, Ms. Kuehl has over 25 years of experience as a dental hygienist working as a periodontal co-therapist in private practice. In the corporate arena, she has been a member of the Oral –B Advisory Board, sales representative for Professional Dental Technologies, Professional Advocacy Team Leader for Tom's of Maine and currently sits on two industry advisory boards. She continues to be an active change agent within her profession while preparing to launch her four children out into the world as competent and caring young adults.
Ellen M. Legg, RDH, BA, Health Education
Ellen has practiced Dental hygiene for over 30 years and for the last 5 years has been a Clinical Instructor of Dental Hygiene at N.H.T.I. She is a Past President and Legislative Chairperson of NHDHA as well as a past member of the ADHA Board of Regulation and Practice. Ellen currently serves as Continuing Education Chairperson. In the future, she would like to see that the profession of Dental Hygiene is responsible for regulating its own profession and that the abundant, licensed, regulated and well educated RDH workforce is utilized more effectively to provide preventive care for those people who are unable to access care in the traditional practice setting. By broadening the arena in which Dental Hygienists practice their skills more people will be served as well as allowing for more diversity in the practice of Dental Hygiene.
When not advocating for her profession Ellen has been active in her seacoast community in Portsmouth public schools, her church, United Way and Prescott Park Arts Festival.
Charlene Ouellette, RDH
Charlene is a 1983 graduate of Westbrook College in Maine with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. She is licensed to provide local anesthesia, an expanded function she earned in 2003. Charlene has had the pleasure to work with a prosthodontist since 1990. This has allowed for continued growth and other expanded duties. Teaching an implant hygiene course at NHTI for over 10 years was just one of the ways she gave back to her profession. Charlene continues to present CE courses on Dental Implants at NHDHA events. She believes that being a member of ADHA and NHDHA is the number one way to ensure the future of the profession.
Other areas of Charlene's community involvement are with St Elizabeth Seton Youth Education as a teacher, Troop 414 Boy Scouts Eagle Advancement Committee Chair, Bedford High School Theater Production Committee, and the N.H. Palace Theater as an Advisory Board member.
Joan Timmerman, RDH, BS
Joan graduated from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and earned her BS at Northeastern University. She also has an Occupational Teacher Certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Joan currently works full time in private practice. Additional work experience includes consulting, dental assisting instructor, as well as Manager and Treasurer of a small business. She has served on multiple Boards of Directors and has been involved in fundraising, journalism, media production and operations, public relations, publicity and has acted as spokesperson for various nonprofit organizations.
Joan serves as a NHDHA Trustee and Governance Committee Chairperson.