Final answer:
Dental hygienists act as advocates when responding to action alerts from the American Dental Hygienists Association, promoting the profession and advocating for public health and policy issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a dental hygienist responds to action alerts sent by the American Dental Hygienists Association, they assume the role of an advocate. As advocates, dental hygienists actively support and promote the profession's interests, policy positions, and initiatives that positively impact public health and the field of dental hygiene. They engage in activities such as contacting legislators, participating in campaigns for better dental health policies, and informing the public and their peers about important dental health issues.