Maine Dental Hygienists' Association
MDHA represents over 1,000 licensed dental hygienists across the state of Maine. We are committed to providing safe, effective, and high-quality oral health care while advancing the profession through education, leadership, and advocacy. Maine dental hygienists practice under one of the highest scopes of practice in the nation, allowing us to improve access to care and better serve diverse communities. MDHA actively advocates for legislation that protects and strengthens this scope, ensuring dental hygienists can continue to meet Maine’s evolving oral health needs.
FALL CONNECTION 2026
Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch, Auburn, Maine
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About
- Ensure access to quality oral health care
- Increase awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention
- Promote the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research
- Represent and promote the interests of dental hygienists
Legislation
FAQ
• Do IPDHs supervise RDHs?
No. IPDHs may employ RDHs, but they are not “supervising” them in the traditional sense. RDHs in Maine do not require supervision to perform their duties.
• Do IPDHs need to be physically present for an RDH to work?
No. An IPDH acts as the employer, not a supervising provider.
• Can RDHs administer local anesthesia?
Yes, with proper certification, under general supervision of a DENTIST. This has not changed.
• What is new with LD 2030?
IPDHs can now administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide in their own independent practices, improving access to care across Maine.
Meetings- Please Join Us!
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please email [email protected] if you are a Maine IPDH and would like to join the meetings
- Email [email protected]
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University of New England's Junior and Senior Dental Hygiene students, MDHA members, and Representative Anne-Marie Mastraccio at the State House for Lobby Day
April 8, 2026
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Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch, Auburn, Maine
Member Spotlight
Sherry Laliberte,
RDH, IPDH, BSDH, CDHC
Sherry’s passion for children’s oral health began at Westbrook College, where she graduated in the top ten percent of her dental hygiene class in 1993. She spent more than 25 years at Just for Kids Pediatric Dentistry, building deep expertise in pediatric care and developing a strong commitment to underserved and marginalized children through her work with Just for Kids, Maine Dental Health Out-Reach, and Medical Care Development. Giving back to her local communities has always been one of her greatest joys. In 2019, Sherry transitioned into public health as the Program Manager for the Maine CDC School Oral Health Program, overseeing statewide surveillance for more than 20,000 children each year. When the pandemic led to a sharp rise in childhood tooth decay, the 2023 surveillance data reaffirmed her calling to return to hands-on preventive care. In 2024, she launched Simply Smiles’ mobile dental hygiene clinic to bring preventive services directly to schools. The following year, in 2025, Sherry expanded her reach again by opening a new office in Wales, Maine, allowing her to better serve the community and broaden the age range of patients who can access care.
Today, her mission remains clear—reducing barriers, expanding access, and helping people of all ages achieve healthy, confident smiles.
