The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has announced the installation of its new Board of Directors and officers for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, has begun her one-year term as the association’s 99th president.
VanGuilder was installed during the final session of the organization’s 102nd House of Delegates, held Saturday, June 28. In her first remarks as president, VanGuilder stated, “The time has come for us to turn ripples into big waves, to rapidly drive meaningful impact and claim our role as the preventive oral health specialist. The world is watching. Let’s show the world what happens when dental hygienists unite, evolve and take immediate action.”
VanGuilder is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and resides in Reno, Nevada. She previously served as president of the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association and on the ADHA Board of Directors. Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with several honors, including the ADHA Professional Achievement Award, the ADHA Award for Excellence, the Nevada Dental Hygienist of the Year award, and the internationally recognized Denobi “All Star” Award.
VanGuilder currently owns an independent mobile dental hygiene practice, serves as clinical director of Sierra Sleep, Airway & Wellness Center, and is the founder of Hygienist for Health, an AGD PACE-approved national continuing education company.
VanGuilder succeeds Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, who will continue on the ADHA Board as immediate past president.
Additional officers installed for the 2025–2026 term include Jessica August, MSDH, CDA, RDH, FADHA, of Post Falls, Idaho, as president-elect, and Christina Emmert, RDH, PHDH, PRP, FADHA, of Rockford, Illinois, as vice president. Amanda Knutt, MSDH, RDH, CST, FADHA, was elected to serve as treasurer for the 2025–2027 term.
Newly installed district directors are:
- Amanda Berthiaume, RDH, CDA, MSDH, FADHA of Massachusetts, District I (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), continuing after serving as interim director
- Jody Berinato, RDH, BS, FADHA, District III (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia)
- Elizabeth Monnin, RDH, MSEd, District V (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio)
- Jennifer Lehto, BSDH, RDH, EFDA, CDA, FADHA, District VII (Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
- Shawna Greer, RDH, MDH, FADHA, District IX (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas)
- Laura Vanderwerf, BSDH, RDH, EPDH, CDA, FADHA, District XI (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington)
Returning district directors for the new term are:
- Carolynn B. Wahl, RDH, BSDH, PHDHP, FADHA, District II (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania)
- Renee Spencer, RDH, FADHA, District IV (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina)
- Carrie Fowler, RDH, BHS, MSM, District VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee)
- Laura Green, RDH, MEd, FADHA, District X (Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)
With the election of Christina Emmert to vice president, the seat for District VIII (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) is currently vacant.
The newly installed board will convene in person at the ADHA Annual Conference, scheduled for October 4–6, 2025, in Long Beach, California.
More information on ADHA leadership is available at adha.org/bod.
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