Grants, Awards & Scholarships
These awards are available for Professional and Student Members of WDHA – For information and applications/nomination forms for each specific grant, award or scholarship, click the links below.
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Association may honor outstanding achievement in dental hygiene education by awarding an Educator of the Year Award. This award is established to recognize, honor and reward a dental hygiene faculty member who contributes to and is dedicated to providing high quality education to dental hygiene students. The recipient shall characterize excellence in teaching, mentoring and/or devotion to student achievement.
Criteria:
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- Must be professional member
- Must be a member educator of a an accredited dental hygiene program in WA state
- Must be nominated by student members of ADHA/WDHA
- Letters must be submitted by students and outline the reasoning of why the educator of the year should receive the award
Application closes January 8th, 2027
Application deadline is always second Friday of January per our WDHA Policy Manual.
LONA HULBUSH JACOBS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Association may award up to $1000 for the Lona Hulbush Jacobs Scholarship to a first-year dental hygiene student who shows scholastic aptitude and need for financial assistance. This award is presented at the Symposium for Oral Healthcare Professionals.
Criteria:
- Applicant shall be a firs year dental hygiene student enrolled in WA State dental hygiene
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (not less) in dental hygiene program
- Applicant shall demonstrate a need for financial aid by including documentation in app
- Applicant shall be a student member of ADHA/WDHA
Application closes February 5th, 2027 @ 4pm (Application deadline first Friday of February by 4 pm PST)
SILVER MEMBER AWARD
In recognition of professional or student ADHA membership, and/or WDHA membership of 25 cumulative years or more. Awardees will receive a special name badge denoting this recognition. For members with professional status, an acknowledgement will be given when attending the Symposium for Oral Health Care Professionals and the WDHA House of Delegates.
Application closes February 26th, 2027 (application deadline Last Friday of February)
FACULTY MEMBERSHIP AWARD
The Association may annually recognize accredited Washington State dental hygiene programs that have 100% membership in ADHA/WDHA by all dental hygiene faculty (part-time and full-time), by presentation of an engraved plaque or year marker at House of Delegates and acknowledgment in Association publications.
Online Application | Or email this form to info@wsdha.com
Deadline September 4th, 2026 (first Friday of September)
FUTURE LEADER AWARD
These awards are in recognition of leadership within WDHA. Online applications must be submitted in full by 4pm on the first Friday of March.(R4-2011-H; Amended R-9-2020-H, Amended R3a-2022-H). The Association may award Future Leader Awards each year to:
a.) A current student in dental hygiene school. (AmendedR8-2020-H; AmendedR3a-2022-H)
- This award will provide funds towards attending the virtual ADHA HOD with the WDHA Delegation. The Delegation and award recipient will meet in person if budget allows.
- To qualify ,the nominee must:
- Be a current student member of ADHA and WDHA and provide endorsement letter from the director, administrator, or faculty member of their program.
- Complete the award application provided by the Executive Director
- The student must show commitment to their professional organization by demonstrating involvement in leadership and expressing the desire to be active following graduation.
- Submit one written letter of reference from a local component leader (R8-2020-H; Amended R3a-2022-H)
- Attendance at one session of WDHA House of Delegates (R8-2020-H)
- Award may be presented to the recipient at the Symposium for Oral Healthcare for Professionals. (R3a-2022-H)
b.) A current student in their graduating year of dental hygiene school prior to initial licensure from an accredited dental hygiene program. R9-2020-H;R3b-2022-H)
- This award is $250 toward bothWDHA and ADHA Professional Membership dues paid by the Association for the year following graduation. (Amended R9-2020-H; Amended R3b-2022-H)
- To qualify, the nominee must:
- Be a current student member of ADHA and WDHA.
- Complete the award application provided by the Executive Director
- Show commitment to their professional organization by demonstrating involvement in leadership and expressing the desire to be in a leadership role. (R9-2020-H; Amended 3b-2022-H)
- Submit one a written letter of reference from a local component or state leader (R8-2020-H; AmendedR3b-2022-H)
- Award recipient may be recognized at WDHA HOD. Award will be granted prior to the end of the calendar year.(R3b-2022-H)
Application deadline first Friday of March | March 5th, 2027 by 4 pm PST
LIFELONG LEARNING GRANT
The Association may award Lifelong Learning Grants each year as budget allows to:
• One Association member who is enrolled in a Washington State bachelor degree program in dental hygiene or a related field, and
• One Association member who is enrolled in a graduate degree program in dental hygiene or a related field
The grant may be presented to each recipient at the House of Delegates. Grant criteria based on demonstration of financial need will be established by financial documentation with application.
Application Deadline – September 11th, 2026
MARTHA FALES AWARD
WDHA establishes an annual award of recognition of dental hygiene excellence to be known as the Martha Fales Award to recognize an outstanding dental hygienist for his or her contributions in furthering dental hygiene in Washington State. The WDHA Member Services Committee may select a recipient from qualified nominees and present this award and a commemorative plaque at the WDHA House of Delegates.
General Facts:
A candidate must be nominated by a colleague
Applications must be received at the WDHA Central Office at least 60 days prior to the WDHA House of Delegates.
To Qualify, The Candidate Must Have:
Minimum of 5 years professional membership in WDHA
Minimum of 10 years as a registered dental hygienist
Contributions in furthering dental hygiene in Washington State (i.e. – clinical, education, leadership, legislation, public health, research, etc.)
To Submit a Nomination:
Verification of length of dental hygiene licensure
Curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation to support nomination from individuals having direct knowledge of nominee’s accomplishments
Nominee must answer the following questions at length:
Describe and be specific about your accomplishments or projects in which you have been or are currently involved
Deadline August 7th, 2026
NORMA J. WELLS COMMUNITY & GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The Association establishes an award to recognize dental hygienists for their contribution to community and global partnership and relationship building. The recipient will be chosen from qualified nominees. This award will be presented at the House of Delegates.
To qualify, the nominee must have:
Minimum of 5 years of WDHA or other ADHA state/component association membership
Minimum of 5 years as a licensed and registered dental hygienist
Contributions in initiating, contributing or participating in local, national or international partnership building and/or growing or maintaining relationships in the interest of the profession of dental hygiene.
Requirements to submit a nomination:
Verification of membership
Verification of registration/licensure
Curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation or support from individuals having direct knowledge of nominee’s accomplishments including:
Describe specific projects, events, programs
Include names of collaborating individuals, groups or organizations/affiliations whose relationships have been formed or strengthened because of the efforts of the nominee.
Describe how this relationship had supported the mission of WDHA.
Deadline August 7th, 2026
PARTNER IN ORAL HEALTH AWARD
The Association may annually present a “Partner in Oral Health” Award at the House of Delegates to a non-dental hygienist who recognizes and promotes the valuable role licensed dental hygienists play in the health of all citizens.
Deadline August 7th, 2026