Dear Colleagues,

Hygiene Education was a very positive and rewarding experience for ADHA. Previously, no benchmark existed to assure the quality and consistency for graduate dental hygiene education programs. Working together to advance this much needed resource provides an important step in the development of strong new leaders who will help to shape the dental hygiene profession of the future. The Competencies will serve as guidelines to further define the body of dental hygiene professional knowledge; inform and guide faculty members, students, and other stakeholders in a common understanding of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics included in dental hygiene graduate programs; and establish a benchmark of educational quality and content. The ADHA board clearly recognizes and appreciates the time and effort that has gone into the development of these competencies by the Joint Work Group members and ADEA and ADHA staff. I am proud to share these thoughtful and engaging Competencies with all interested stakeholders