About the Connecticut Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA)
Our History
Irene M. Newman (1875-1958) became the first dental hygienist and the first President of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists' Association in the early 1900's. Alfred Civilian Fones (1869-1938), a dentist from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Newman's cousin, recognized that when plaque and calculus were removed from teeth, gingival health improved. As a result of this discovery, Fones started the Fones School of Dental Hygiene in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the dental hygiene profession was born. Today, CDHA continues to represent the professional interests of Connecticut dental hygienists.
Our Mission
The mission of the The Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association Inc. is to represent the interests of dental hygienists and support the advancement of the dental hygiene profession by promoting the highest clinical, educational and ethical standards and be advocates for the public’s total health through prevention and access to quality care.
CDHA 2026 Executive Committee
Alfonso Della Porta, BS, RDH
President
Elicia Lupoli, BS, RDH
Secretary
Natasha Stewart, RDH
President-Elect
Adriana Fields, MSHA, RDH
Treasurer
Bernice Iwinski, BSDH, RDH
Immediate Past President
2026 Board of Trustees Meetings
Governing Documents
CDHA Bylaws
CDHA HOD Policies & Code of Ethics
CDHA Procedures Manual
ADHA Organizational Structure
Component
ADHA’s local dental hygiene associations are its component organizations that form the first line of involvement for individual members. The components implement community service programs and educational sessions and offer ideas and information about state and national policies.
Constituent
As the state dental hygiene associations, the constituent organizations serve the components in their jurisdictions by informing them of national policies and programs, monitoring legislation and providing continuing education.
National
The national level represents the interests of all dental hygienists across the nation and provides educational and professional development programming. It consists of 12 geographic districts, each of which represents a group of constituents. The national organization receives input from the constituent and components through elected district trustees.
(ADHA.org)