Scholarships and Grants

As part of our mission, the MDHA recognizes and encourages students and life-long learners to improve the public’s overall health while advancing the art and science of dental hygiene.

We’re here to help provide access to scholarships and grants.

Below is a list of scholarship and grant opportunities, offering financial assistance to further YOUR academic achievements and the advancement of the dental hygiene field. As always, we encourage all students to participate in your professional associations, the ADHA/MDHA, with events such as Lobby Day, The Conference and Dental Hygiene Month.


Mary Dole Scholarship

Purpose: The Mary Dole Scholarship supports a dental hygiene student currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree level program who has demonstrated academic excellence in dental hygiene.

Overview: Each year the American Dental Hygienists’ Association of Massachusetts will award a dental hygiene student $500.00 which will be applied to tuition and fees.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must

  • Be a permanent resident of Massachusetts regardless of school choice
  • Be enrolled at an accredited U.S. Dental Hygiene School Master’s Degree Program
  • Demonstrate, through personal activities and achievements, a strong interest in dental hygiene
  • Possess a superior academic record. The cumulative average must be 3.5 or higher
  • Be a current member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Application Process Checklist
Applicants must submit the following items:

  • Two letters of recommendation (in a word document).
  • An essay of the student’s insights he/she has gained from achievements and activities in dental hygiene. The essay can indicate future career goals in dental hygiene.
    • The essay should be 1000-1200 words, double-spaced in a word document.
  • A current curriculum vitae.
  • Transcripts obtained from candidate’s school verifying academic standing.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: All applications must be received on or before August 15, 2022.

Questions should be directed to: Kristeen Perry – MDHA Council Chair of Scholarship. Email address: [email protected]

Review the 2022 Mary Dole Scholarship Application Process & Checklist HERE


Institute for Oral Health (IOH)

In collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health provides thousands of dollars each year, to advance the profession of Dental Hygiene through scholarship, research and service. These monies have been awarded to dental hygiene students for educational needs (Scholarships), to those expanding the field of dental hygiene (Research Grants) and to dental hygienists’ to provide oral health care and education to those in their communities (Community Service Grants).

Apply for IOH Scholarships, Research Grants and Community Service Grants HERE


Student Delegates to Annual Session Award (1st Year Students)

One student selected from each district will represent their peers at the 2023 ADHA House of Delegates Meeting, as well as have the opportunity to receive free registration to the ADHA 2023 Annual Session.

A reminder to you that student delegates now receive a complimentary registration to the ADHA annual conference. However, if they plan on attending, they will be responsible for all travel and lodging costs. 

As a Student Delegate, you not only represent all student members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, but you also sit on the House of Delegates floor during all three meetings. Each student will be considered for the student delegate position.  

Qualifications:

  • Must be a student member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
  • Must be a matriculating dental hygiene student with a minimum of one semester/trimester remaining after annual session
  • Must be in good standing in a dental hygiene program and have the written approval of the program director for candidacy
  • Must be available to fulfill all obligations of a district workshop and full attendance at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Annual Conference

If you have any questions please send them to Kelsey Turner at ADHA  [email protected]

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2023

Review the 2022 1st Year Student Delegate Instructions and Application HERE


Student Delegates to Annual Session Award (Graduating Students)

MDHA would like to send TWO graduating students on a trip to ADHA’s CLL 100th Annual Session in Louisville, Kentucky. These students must be active student members of ADHA and should have an interest in becoming involved with the MDHA. Learn more about the ADHA Annual Conference HERE.

Award Criteria:

  • Must be an ACTIVE student member of ADHA
  • Should be a student who has interest in becoming involved with the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists’ Association and should attend at least 3 Board of Trustee meetings either before graduation or following graduation
  • Student must write an essay, no longer than 500 words explaining what they expect to gain from attending ADHA’s CLL 100th Annual Session
  • Minimum 1 letter of recommendation from a college professor

Students must include the following information on their application:

  • Name of college
  • Student’s full name
  • Student’s home address and email address
  • Student’s phone number

The award includes:

  • Airfare
  • 4 Night stay at the host hotel in Chicago, IL- Recipients will share a room
  • Registration fee for conference

Important Trip Information:

  • Hotel stay is from June 7-9, 2023

Students will be asked to write a brief synopsis of their experience after Annual Session to be used in the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists’ Newsletter.

**Please note: Any extended stays added to your trip either prior to July 7 or after July 9, 2023 will be your responsibility. This hotel stay is for the 1 award recipients only. Any additional persons wanting to stay including friends, spouses, children or significant others will need to book their reservations separately and cannot share a room with the recipients. Any hotel charges incurred besides the room stay will be your responsibility. This includes but is not limited to such things as room service charges and any additional incidental charges or fees.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: All applications must be received on or before March 1, 2023.

All application information can be emailed to: Amy Willor at [email protected]

Review the 2023 Graduating Student Delegate Award Instructions HERE


MDHA Academic Scholarship Award (Graduating Students)

Each year, the MDHA provides an academic scholarship to a graduating student.

Criteria:

  • Applicants must be a permanent resident of Massachusetts regardless of school choice.
  • Applicants must be entering at least their second year in an accredited Dental Hygiene program. Graduating hygienists pursuing higher degrees in dental hygiene, public health or research may also apply.
  • A current transcript must be submitted (an unofficial transcript is sufficient). The cumulative average must be 3.2 or higher.
  • A letter of recommendation: Letters from Program Directors or faculty of the applicant are acceptable.
  • A personal statement indicating their interests, career goals and views of Dental Hygiene. All personal statements shall be no more than two, double spaced typewritten pages.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: All applications must be received on or before March 1, 2023.

Questions should be directed to: Amy Willor at [email protected]

Criteria for the 2023 MDHA Academic Scholarship Award HERE