UDHA President Angel Harvey Opening Speech

Have you ever paused at the end of a long day, looked toward the horizon, and just taken it in—the calm, the color, that quiet reminder that something new is waiting to be discovered?

As dental hygienists, we spend so much of our time focused on what’s right in front of us—the next patient, the next procedure, the next challenge—that we sometimes forget to look beyond the moment. But the horizon calls to us. It invites us to look further, to imagine what’s next, to see not just where we are, but where we could go.

So, I invite you to think about your horizons.

What lies just beyond your comfort zone—the skill you’ve wanted to master, the difference you’ve wanted to make, the professional growth waiting for you just out of reach?

There’s something so special about watching the horizon — that space where what we know meets what we’ve yet to discover.

The horizon is the line where the earth and sky appear to meet — a place of infinite possibility, always visible, yet never fully reachable. For me, horizons represent possibility. They remind me that no matter how far I’ve come, there’s always more to see, more to learn, and more ways to grow.

And as hygienists, we each have a horizon — that place where our comfort zone ends, and our growth begins.

Are you ready?

This past April my husband and I had the opportunity to take our youngest son on a vacation to Hawaii. On our last day of the vacation, we hiked Diamond Head, a dormant Volcano on the island of Oahu.   It was a beautiful morning; the sky was clear, the air was cool and fragrant.  The side of the volcano was dotted with a stream of visitors all working their way to the top.  As we slowly followed the winding trail and climbed a single staircase we were pleasantly surprised by the views from a partial landing. Stunning blue ocean, Coastline, and a charming light house... We could see for miles. And yet... there was more to see. We climbed a little higher to the very top of the lookout point.  And while taking in the view again... I realized something: As we climbed higher the horizon didn't

actually move. I did. 

That’s what I want to talk about today — Expanding our Horizons — as dental hygienists, as

professionals, and as people. Moving forward together! 

Because when we expand our thinking, our knowledge, and our scope of practice, we don’t just improve our skills — we elevate our impact and significance.

What struck me wasn’t just the view—it was realizing how much I hadn’t seen until I reached the top. In our careers, it’s the same: when we elevate our perspective, embrace new challenges, and empower ourselves through growth, our entire view expands.

There are three ways we can continue to expand our professional horizons: 

1- Opening our minds, 

2- Deepening our understanding & 

3- Redefining what’s possible in our daily practice.

Let’s start with expanding our way of thinking.

It’s easy to get comfortable in what’s familiar. We find our rhythm — our patients, our routines, our favorite instruments. We master efficiency, communication, and care.  And that’s wonderful. But sometimes, comfort can quietly limit growth. Expanding our way of thinking means being willing to see differently. It’s looking at a patient- not just as a mouth in your chair, but as a whole person — a heart, mind, and story connected to systemic health.

It’s being open to new ideas, even when they challenge what we’ve always done.

Albert Einstein once said, “The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.” In our profession, the horizon is our future—our evolving scope of practice, our deepening knowledge, and the expanding role we play as essential health care providers. 

It challenges us to look beyond what is... and imagine what could be.

In our profession, this might mean exploring new technologies, rethinking patient education, or embracing collaboration with other medical professionals.

When we shift our mindset from “this is my job” to “this is my significance,” our professional landscape expands dramatically. Let me ask you this — When was the last time you learned something that truly changed how you practiced?

Maybe it was a continuing education course. Maybe a colleague shared a tip that suddenly made a challenging situation easier. Or maybe it was a patient who taught you something about empathy or resilience.

Each of those moments pushes our horizon a little farther.

Growth begins with new ways of seeing

Stepping into discomfort expands perspective and ability

Growth happens when we’re willing to take that unfamiliar path.

Expanding our way of thinking is really about having courage — to see, to try, and to imagine more than what we’ve done before.

The next way we expand our horizons is by expanding our knowledge.

We are part of a field that is constantly evolving. What we learned five, ten, or twenty years ago has grown — and in some cases, transformed entirely.

Research continues to strengthen the connection between oral and systemic health — from cardiovascular disease to diabetes, from Alzheimer’s to pregnancy outcomes.

Every new piece of evidence we embrace gives us more power to advocate for our patients.

Expanding knowledge isn’t just about CE credits. It’s about curiosity — asking why, seeking how, and sharing what we learn.

Some of the most valuable lessons don’t come from textbooks or conferences — they come from each other. 

When we share ideas, discuss cases, and lift one another, we all see further.

Imagine knowledge as light. Each time we learn something new, our light grows brighter. And when we share it, we illuminate the path for others. So, let’s keep learning — not because we have to, but because it keeps our profession vibrant and alive.

Now, let’s talk about expanding our scope of practice.

Every advance in dental hygiene started with someone who saw a bigger horizon.

Think back — there was a time when hygienists weren’t allowed to administer local anesthesia, place sealants, or work independently in community settings. 

Each change we now take for granted came because someone asked, “Why not?”

Expanding our scope doesn’t mean working outside of our training — it means expanding the places where our skills can make a difference.

Public health, teledentistry, education, research, collaborative care — these are the new frontiers. When we engage with our professional association, participate in advocacy, or mentor new hygienists, we become part of shaping that horizon.

Let’s be the ones to dream bigger — to imagine new roles, new opportunities, and new ways to serve. Expanding our scope isn’t just about what we can do — it’s about what we choose to do with our gifts, our voice, and our compassion. Because... if WE don’t define our future, someone else will. We are standing on the front lines of progress—advocating for our autonomy, for respect, and for the opportunity to practice to the full extent of our education and expertise.

We are so much more than clinicians.

We are educators, advocates, and healers—standing at the intersection of prevention and transformation. With every patient we serve, every disease we help prevent, and every conversation we have about wellness, we are influencing more than oral health—we are impacting total health, whole lives, and entire communities.

That matters!

It deserves to be recognized, protected, and expanded. But progress requires persistence. There will be times when we feel unseen or misunderstood, yet those moments remind us why we must keep pushing forward.  Because what we do isn’t just about today, it’s about tomorrow. It’s about the next generation of hygienists who will build upon what we start.

Together, through perseverance, unity, and grace, and unwavering professionalism. We are carving a path toward a stronger, brighter profession.

And when we finally reach the summit—when we look back at how far we’ve come, the view will be worth every climb, every challenge, and every moment of faith that keeps us moving toward the horizon. And when you need a reminder of why you began, look around—there’s a community beside you, ready to encourage, uplift, and keep you moving toward the horizon.

Let’s go back to that image of the horizon.

It’s always there — steady, beautiful, waiting. But it only expands when we move toward it.

When we open our minds to new perspectives, when we seek out new knowledge,

and when we step into new possibilities for our profession —That's when our horizon expands. And with it grows our ability to make a difference — for our patients, for our profession, and for ourselves  That morning on the top of Dimond Head I realized that horizons aren’t fixed. They move as we move. And in our profession, every step forward expands what’s possible — for us, for our patients, and for the future of dental hygiene.

The horizon is a metaphor for growth. It stays still until we take a step forward—then suddenly, there’s more space, more light, more opportunity than we ever realized before.

And that’s the invitation I want to leave with you today: 

keep moving.

Keep growing.

Keep expanding your horizon.

As we continue to look toward new horizons, may we never forget the light we carry within us—the light of knowledge, compassion, and courage. 

Thank you for your friendship, your support, and for the way you share that light with others. 

Together, we are not only expanding our minds and our profession, we are illuminating the path forward for those who will follow.