Ann Lynch is Director of Governmental Affairs for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Prior to working at the ADHA, Lynch served in the Minnesota State Senate from 2007-2010, representing Rochester, MN and surrounding communities. During her term, Lynch served as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Budget Division. Other committee assignments included: Capitol Investment, Higher Education Budget and Policy Division, K-12 Education Policy, Health, Housing and Family Security, and the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

The Minnesota Dental Hygienists’ Association honored her as the “2008 Legislator of the Year” for her “commitment to meeting the oral health care needs of the underserved in Minnesota.” Senator Lynch was chief author of legislation that created the countries first mid-level dental practitioner in Minnesota in 2009, known as dental therapists. In June 2009, Senator Lynch received an ADHA Presidential Citation, “In recognition for leadership in improving access to healthcare, including oral health care for all Americans.”