The International Federation of Dental Hygienists was officially formed on June 28, 1986 in Oslo, Norway. The forerunner of the IFDH, The International Liaison Committee on Dental Hygiene, was established in 1973, by some European countries (including the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK), the USA, Canada and Japan.

The IFDH is an international, non-governmental, non-profit organization, free from any political, racial, or religious ties. It unites dental hygiene associations from around the world in their common cause of promoting dental health.

The stated purposes of the federation are to:

• Safeguard and defend the interests of the profession of dental hygiene, represent and advance the profession of dental hygiene.
• Promote professional alliances with its association members as well as with other associations, federations and organisations whose objectives are similar.
• Promote and coordinate the exchange of knowledge and information about the profession, its education, and its practice.
• Promote access to quality preventive oral health services.
• Increase public awareness that oral disease can be prevented through proven regimens.
• Provide a forum for the understanding and discussion of issues pertaining to dental hygiene

A draft of the Code of Ethics is available for download:

• Code of Ethics

A copy of the IFDH Constitution & Bylaws is available for download:

• IFDH Constitution & Bylaws

The IFDH is governed by its House of Delegates, which is comprised of 2 delegates from each Association Member. Normally the House of Delegates meets every three years, in conjunction with the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene, which is hosted and organized by a selected member country.

A four member Executive Council (president, president-elect, vice presidentand treasurer), elected by the House of Delegates is responsible for the execution of those goals set forth by the House of Delegates during each three year period.

The goals of the IFDH for the term are to:

• strengthen the professional profile of dental hygiene worldwide
• increase IFDH membership in all eligible categories
• strengthen collaboration with other organizations
• support the development & visibility of dental hygiene education
• support the development of research by dental hygienists
• strengthen communication within the IFDH

IFDH Committees for 2007-2010:

• Development
• Education and research
• Membership
• Nominations
• Oral Health Promotion
• Communication