The IFDH Mission
The International Federation of Dental Hygienists is an international non-profit association uniting national organizations of Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, Oral Therapists and Oral Health Therapists.
By fostering leadership and collaboration, IFDH is the principal advocate for the oral hygiene profession globally and promotes excellence in oral health, education, research and practice.
About IFDH
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 organization, free from any political, racial, or religious ties. It is incorporated and registered in the United States as a 501(c6) non-profit organization. It unites dental hygiene associations from around the world in their common cause of promoting dental health.
IFDH UPDATES
IFDH CONTACT eNews
IFDH President Report
Take our SURVEY #11: Interdental Cleaning
International Symposium On Dental Hygiene, 2026
July 9-11, 2026; Milan, Italy
Hotel Info: COMING SOON!
IFDH/ADHA Joint Statement on Qualified Dental Hygiene Providers
WHITE PAPER #3:
Cost Effectiveness of Prevention
Working Abroad
Click for one of our member countries
New Tools to Help You February 28, 2023
IFDH Facebook Posts
Facebook Posts
Association between herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective case–control study
A growing body of evidence points to a role for herpesviruses in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a reduced risk of AD among patients receiving antiherpetic medications. We investigated the association between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and AD using real-world data (RWD) from USA.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY
A matched case–control study was conducted using large administrative claims data from the USA.
This study highlights the clinical value of HSV-1 infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Asymptomatic HSV-1 infection is difficult to capture in a real-world setting.
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e093946
📢 Have you seen the latest IFDH Contact eNews?
Why not grab a cup of your favourite hot drink and settle down to see what is new from the Federation ☕️
You can follow the link or check out the IFDH website for all this and more! 💙🧡🩵
#IFDH #upward #dentalhygienist #dentaltherapist #oralhealththerapist #oraltherapist #news #prevention
ifdh.org/update-enews/
Please follow the link or head over to our website to read our most recent White Paper, kindly supported by Haleon 🦷
Authored by our past president, Wanda Fedora, this work explores the 'Cost Effectiveness of Prevention' 🦷
We know that the key to reducing oral disease is found in prevention.
This paper explores the current financial impact of oral disease and its cost to individuals and society. It will demonstrate the cost effectiveness of prevention and the essential role of primary oral healthcare providers in achieving a reduction in oral disease globally 🦷
How could you bring this to life in your daily practice? 💙🧡🩵
ifdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IFDHWhitePaperMARCH25Final.pdf
#IFDH #upward #prevention #dentalhygienist #dentaltherapist #oraltherapist #oralhealththerapist #Haleon
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Association Between Periodontitis and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Potential for Personalized Approach
A new systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association between periodontitis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), suggesting periodontal disease may be an underrecognized modifiable risk factor for the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among the elderly.
Periodontitis is associated with AMD. Unlike other important but unmodifiable risk factors such as genetic predisposition and high age, periodontitis is a risk factor that can be treated and potentially eliminated, thus allowing for a personalized approach for risk elimination in AMD. Attention should be given to the dental health of patients at risk of AMD. However, more studies are warranted to understand the impact of eliminating periodontitis in patients with periodontitis and how that modulates the risk of AMD.
The study builds on prior meta-analyses and provides an updated synthesis of the evidence. The findings reinforce the need for prospective, well-controlled studies that can clarify the relationship and assess the impact of periodontal treatment on AMD risk.
www.mdpi.com
Background/Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to systemic low-grade inflammation. Systemic low-grade inflammation has been found in patients with age-related macula...
🌍 Global Collaboration for Better Oral Health 🦷
We’re proud to announce that IFDH is now an official member of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR)! 🦷🔬
As the global voice for dental hygienists, our membership in IADR strengthens our commitment to advancing oral health through scientific research, education, and collaboration.
🤝 This partnership expands our reach, fosters innovation, and gives dental hygienists a stronger voice in the global research community.
#IFDH #IADR #upward #Dentalhygienists #Dentaltherapists #Dentalresearch
🌍 World Environment Day 🌿
Healthy smiles = a healthier planet!
Prevention by dental hygienists, oral health therapists and dental therapists, means fewer treatments, less waste, and more sustainable care.
The International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) released a new White Paper highlighting sustainability in oral health and the vital role of dental hygienists in creating a healthier, greener future 💚🦷.
Let’s protect our smiles and Earth.
To read the IFDH White Paper, authored by Dr. Rachael England go to :
ifdh.org/programs/white-paper-series/
#WorldEnvironmentDay #GreenSmile #IFDH #SustainableOralHealth #WhitePaper #upward #DentalHygienists #DentalTherapists #PreventionMatters
Debulking influenza and herpes simplex virus strains by a wide-spectrum anti-viral protein formulated in clinical grade chewing gum
A novel clinical-grade chewing gum could help reduce viral loads of influenza and herpes simplex virus strains. In a laboratory-based study published in Molecular Therapy, researchers examined the efficacy of a novel clinical-grade chewing gum formulated with FRIL — a natural viral tap protein — in neutralizing several flu and herpes simplex virus strains.
The chewing gum left no aerobic bacteria, yeasts or molds after the bioburden test. The gum also was capable of trapping both HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains. Through a mastication simulation for 15 minutes, the chewing gum released greater than 50% of the FRIL protein. The researchers determined that a 2,000-milligram chewing gum tablet could be safe and effective at neutralizing the H1N1 and H3N2 flu strains and HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains.
www.cell.com
Daniell and colleagues report clinical-grade bean chewing-gum containing the viral trap protein (FRIL) is stable and fully functional up to 790 days, when stored at ambient temperature. Each gum tabl...
📍Deadline Approaching fast...📍
Kind reminder to take just a few minutes to respond to the IFDH 2025 Survey #11: Interdental Cleaning.
🔹️Please complete by June 6th🔹️
Given the importance of interdental plaque removal to good oral health, the IFDH is fielding its eleventh survey to better understand global practices and beliefs around interdental cleaning.
Click on the link here to participate in the survey.
project.tolunastart.com/s/w5WXf4a
✔️We thank P&G for their support of this program.
✔️NO personal information is collected.
✔️By taking the survey, respondents give consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes.
#ifdh #oralhealth #upward #CrestOralBPro
🌟YOUR PROJECT COULD BE THE NEXT AWARDED🌟
The 2025-2026 Social Responsibility Program, focusing this term on Oral Health for the Elderly, is officially underway 🏃♀️🏃➡️!
If you have a relevant project you’d like to submit or if you're curious how to initiate and create one, check out the video attached and log onto
ifdh.org/programs/social-responsibility-overview/
Deadline for submissions: February 1st 2026.
#socialResponsibility #ifdh #oralhealth #upward #dentalhygienists #oralhealth_therapists #dental_therapists #IFDH
🛑 Tobacco doesn’t just damage lungs - it starts with the mouth.
Let’s bring oral health to the center of the conversation on World No Tobacco Day.👇
🦷 Dental hygienists, oral health therapists, and dental therapists are often the first to detect the visible and invisible damage caused by tobacco use, including:
Gum disease
Tooth loss
Mucosal lesions
Oral cancer
Delayed healing after treatment
Discoloration and staining of teeth
These oral health professionals are on the frontline of prevention, early detection, and patient education, uniquely positioned to influence behavior and improve long-term health outcomes.
✨ Protect your smile. Protect your health. Protect your life. Every breath you take matters.
💬 For more information on smoking cessation and how tobacco impacts your oral and overall health, speak with your dental hygienist, oral health therapist, or dental therapist.
They’re more than clinical providers - they are key partners in prevention and public health.
#WorldNoTobaccoDay #OralHealthMatters #QuitTobacco #ProtectYourSmile #DentalHygienist #OralHealthTherapist #DentalTherapist #OralCancerAwareness #TobaccoFreeFutures #HealthPromotion #IFDH
Population-Based Disease Odds for E-Cigarettes and Dual Use versus Cigarettes
E-cigarettes are promoted as less harmful than cigarettes. There has not been a direct comparison of health effects of e-cigarettes or dual use (concurrently using e-cigarettes and cigarettes) with those of cigarettes in the general population.
Conclusions
There is a need to reassess the assumption that e-cigarette use provides substantial harm reduction across all cigarette-caused diseases, particularly accounting for dual use.
Population-Based Disease Odds for E-Cigarettes and Dual Use versus Cigarettes
evidence.nejm.org
E-cigarettes are promoted as less harmful than cigarettes. There has not been a direct comparison of health effects of e-cigarettes or dual use (concurrently using e-cigarettes and cigarettes) with...
🌍 World Nutrition Day 2025
🦷 Eat Smart, Smile Bright!
What’s on your plate can shape your smile.
The food choices we make every day influence more than our overall health—they play a key role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy, too.
This World Nutrition Day, let’s highlight how nourishing meals contribute to lifelong oral wellness and brighter, healthier smiles around the world.
#ifdh #dentalhygienists #upward
#worldnutritionday
🌟Reminder: Take 5-10 minutes to respond to the🌟
IFDH 2025 Survey #11: Interdental Cleaning
Given the importance of interdental plaque removal to good oral health, the IFDH is fielding its eleventh survey to better understand global practices and beliefs around interdental cleaning.
Click on the link here to participate in the survey.
project.tolunastart.com/s/w5WXf4a
✨Deadline: June 6th, 2025
We thank P&G for their support of this program.
NO personal information is collected.
By taking the survey, respondents give consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes.
#ifdh #oralhealth #upward #CrestOralBPro
🌟Take 5-10 minutes to respond to the🌟
IFDH 2025 Survey #11: Interdental Cleaning
Given the importance of interdental plaque removal to good oral health, the IFDH is fielding its eleventh survey to better understand global practices and beliefs around interdental cleaning.
Click on the link here to participate in the survey.
project.tolunastart.com/s/w5WXf4a
✨Deadline: June 6th, 2025
We thank P&G for their support of this program.
NO personal information is collected.
By taking the survey, respondents give consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes.
#ifdh #oralhealth #upward #CrestOralBPro
*IFDH Board Meeting in Vienna - Purposeful, Productive & United!*🌐🌟
Last week, the IFDH Board gathered in beautiful Vienna for our annual in-person meeting, held this year alongside the EuroPerio conference.
Our leadership team -
✨️ Jill Rethman (President)
✨️ Fouzieh Eliassy (President-Elect)
✨️ Sharon Friedman-Yaniv (Vice-President)
✨️ Miranda Steeples (Treasurer)
✨️ Carmen Lanoway (Secretary)
✨️ Peter Anas (ED)
- came together for meaningful discussions, strategic planning, and important decisions, all with a shared commitment to advancing the profession of dental hygiene, dental therapists, oral health therapists worldwide.
A special highlight was a warm and collegial joint meeting with our counterparts from the EDHF (European Dental Hygienists Federation) Board - Gitana Rederienea, Ellen Bol, Anne-Claire Van-Der Lans and Veronica Montebello - valuable opportunity to connect, strengthen ties, & exchange ideas on our shared vision ❣️
Together, we’re building bridges, shaping policy, and creating a lasting impact on global oral health.
#ifdh #edhf #upward #dentalhygienists #oral_health_therapists #dentaltherapists #globaloralhealth
The non-cariogenic effects of aspartame: A systematic review and meta-analysis
A study compared the effects of aspartame versus other sweeteners on teeth.
In the systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Dentistry, investigators used the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and CENTRAL databases to identify 13 studies focused on assessing the cariogenicity of aspartame and sucrose across clinical trials, animal models and dental samples.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571225001605
😄 Happy International Day of Families! 😄
A healthy smile is a family affair! Practicing good oral hygiene isn’t just about preventing cavities - it’s about building lifelong habits that support overall well-being. 🦷
From the youngest to the oldest, brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular dental visits help every family member in all the beautiful ways families are formed, stay healthy, confident, and smiling together.
Let’s make oral care a family tradition!
#ifdh #happysmiles #family
The need for effective interprofessional collaboration between nutrition and dentistry
There are bidirectional relationships between diet and nutrition, systemic health and oral health. Diet and nutrition are fundamental to the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Systemic health can impact oral health. And oral health can influence diet and nutrition.
Dental hygiene and dental schools should consider having nutrition-oral health related topics taught by nutrition professionals. The accreditation board would make nutrition a fundamental part of dental curricula with a set number of hours and topics to be covered. This would not only provide dental trainees evidence-based education and up-to-date recommendations, but it would also foster interdisciplinary education and care.
Frontiers | The need for effective interprofessional collaboration between nutrition and dentistry
www.frontiersin.org
This article is part of the Research TopicIntegrating Oral Health into Public Health: Bridging Gaps to Reduce Health Disparities in the USView all 7 articles
A distributed coding logic for thermosensation and inflammatory pain
NIH study reveals how inflammation makes touch painful
Researchers uncover the cellular and molecular basis for sensing heat and inflammatory pain.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered clues as to how our bodies turn sensations such as heat and touch into signals sent to the brain — and how these signals can be altered by inflammation to drive pain. The research focuses on the nerve cells in the skin that help us detect the location, intensity, and emotional quality of touch, known as somatosensory neurons. By combining advanced imaging techniques with detailed molecular analysis, the researchers explored how heat and touch activate different types of receptor cells in mice.
Inflammation is well known to be linked to pain, but the understanding of what is happening on the cellular and molecular levels is less clear. In their experiments, researchers injected prostaglandin E2 into the skin, a molecule that causes inflammation and drives pain. With the inflammatory response set into motion, researchers found that certain neurons used for signaling pain (nociceptors) became active and sensitized to heat for a long duration, demonstrating the cellular processes at play.
A distributed coding logic for thermosensation and inflammatory pain - Nature
www.nature.com
Functional imaging and multiplexed in situ hybridization were combined to investigate how trigeminal neurons encode heat and mechanical stimuli, revealing distinct cellular mechanisms for continuing p...
Dasatinib and Quercetin Limit Gingival Senescence, Inflammation, and Bone Loss
Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine have developed a plant-based drug to help treat periodontal diseases, commonly known as gingivitis and periodontitis.
The anti-senescence therapy, or “senotherapy,” consists of an enzyme inhibitor called dasatinib and a natural flavonoid plant compound called quercetin, the university said in a statement on April 11.
“Our findings suggest that senotherapy offers a promising approach to preserving periodontal health,” said Dr. Esra Sahingur of Penn Dental Medicine. “Periodontitis is more than a bacterial infection—it’s driven by immune and metabolic dysfunction, cellular aging and inflammation. By targeting inflammation and senescent cells, we may disrupt the chronic disease cycle and unlock new preventive and therapeutic possibilities for oral and systemic health.”
journals.sagepub.com
Cellular senescence has emerged as one of the central hallmarks of aging and drivers of chronic comorbidities, including periodontal diseases. Senescence can al...
We’re proud to share a powerful new joint position statement from ADHA and IFDH, reinforcing the critical importance of qualified dental hygiene providers.
Together, we advocate for well-qualified, competent dental hygiene professionals who are essential to global oral health.
Read the full statement here:
ifdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IFDH_ADHA_Qualified-Dental-Hygiene-Providers.pdf
www.ifdh.org
#DentalHygiene #OralHealth #ADHA #IFDH #upward
The Relationship Among Obesity, Diabetes, and Oral Health: a Narrative Review of Real-World Evidence REVIEW Open access
Published: 18 January 2025
A narrative review by researchers at Shiga University of Medical Science in Ōtsu has leveraged large-scale national data to assess the impact of diabetes and obesity on tooth retention, offering clearer insights into the cyclical relationship between the conditions in relation to tooth loss.
link.springer.com
Purpose of the Review The interplay among diabetes, obesity, and periodontal disease is well-established. In addition to diabetes and obesity, numerous factors contribute to the risk of tooth loss, in...
March 13, 2025
High Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Oral Cavity Cancer in Smoking and Nonsmoking Women
This cohort study of 124 OCC cases from 162 602 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study found an OCC risk 4.87 times higher in participants consuming 1 or more SSB daily compared with less than 1 SSB monthly, increasing the rate of OCC by 3 people per 100 000 population over time. Similarly, the risk of OCC in nonsmoking or light-smoking and nondrinking or light-drinking participants was 5.46 times higher in those consuming 1 or more SSB daily compared with less than 1 SSB monthly, raising the rate of OCC to 3 more people per 100 000 population.
Women consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) a day have an almost five times higher risk for oral cavity cancer (OCC) than those consuming less than one of these beverages a month. Risk increases to 5.46 times higher in nonsmoking/light-smoking and nondrinking/light-drinking women.
High Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Oral Cavity Cancer in Women
jamanetwork.com
This cohort study evaluates whether sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with risk of oral cavity cancer in smoking and nonsmoking women.
Burnout, Stress, and Wellbeing: The Rising Mental Health Crisis in UK Dentistry in Dental Care Professionals. A Quantitative Perspective
To determine if dental care professionals working in National Health Service (NHS) practices are more at risk of stress, wellbeing concerns and burnout than their private practice counterparts.
Principle findings
○
There was no statistically significant difference between private and mixed practice dental professionals on the combined scales. Dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental nurses working in mixed NHS dentistry are not more susceptible to stress, wellbeing issues and anxiety than their private counterparts according to the data set. More research is required to look at the potential occupational cocncerns for dental personnel.
Practical implications
○
With dentistry under the spotlight for lack of access, its important to consider the reasons for lack of interest in entering or staying within the field, thereby addressing the problem of filling NHS positions.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Research Aim To determine if dental care professionals working in National Health Service (NHS) practices are more at risk of stress, wellbeing concerns and burnout than their private practice count.....
🦷🪥The IFDH invites dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, and their organizations to initiate or share social responsibility projects focused on improving oral health for elderly populations. Your project could be the next IFDH Award-winning initiative, demonstrating the impact of collective efforts in promoting oral health equity and well-being for aging communities 🦷🪥.
Visit www.ifdh.org for more information
Deadline for project applications: 2 February 2026
#IFDH #upward #socialresponsibility
The Impact of Female Hormones on the Periodontium—A Narrative Review
This is NOT open access, but interesting nonetheless.
To provide an updated narrative review of current concepts relative to the impact of female hormones on the periodontium throughout the life stages of the female patient. To analyse the implications for the clinician and to amalgamate the main findings from a wide range of empirical studies and theoretical perspectives.
Key findings demonstrate that hormone fluctuations have a direct and indirect impact on the periodontium, altering the bacterial flora of plaque biofilm to a composition more conducive to the development of periodontal disease and modifying the tissue response to local factors, producing anatomic changes in the gingivae that compromise the periodontium and influencing the regulation of the inflammatory cascade. These factors increase the risk of periodontal disease and susceptibility to other oral conditions associated with female hormone fluctuations.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/idh.12908
🌈 Every Mind is Unique. Every Smile Matters. 🪂
On World Autism Awareness Day, IFDH stands for understanding, inclusivity, and compassionate oral care.
Together with dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, and oral health professionals worldwide, we’re creating safe, supportive spaces that promote both oral and overall health - improving quality of life, one smile at a time.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #IFDH #OralHealthForAll #InclusiveSmiles #CompassionateCare
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article Front. Med. , 20 January 2025 Sec. Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 12 - 2025 | doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1526406
The association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023
This first bibliometric and visual analysis of periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes offers a concise overview of the field and suggests future research should focus on risk factors, high-risk populations, oral microbiota, mechanisms, interventions, and international collaboration.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1526406/full?fbclid=IwY2xjawIsFh...
doi.org
Background: Periodontal disease (PD) refers to a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth triggered by bacterial infection and is recognized to promote systemic infl...
The oral-gut microbiota axis: a link in cardiometabolic diseases
The oral-gut microbiota axis plays a crucial role in cardiometabolic health. This review explores the interactions between these microbiomes through enteric, hematogenous, and immune pathways, resulting in disruptions in microbial balance and metabolic processes. These disruptions contribute to systemic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and endothelial dysfunction, which are closely associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Understanding these interactions provides insights for innovative therapeutic strategies to prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases.
www.nature.com/articles/s41522-025-00646-5?fbclid=IwY2xjawIGCG1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZMvqoA8z7QtAsiqB...
The oral-gut microbiota axis: a link in cardiometabolic diseases - npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
www.nature.com
The oral-gut microbiota axis plays a crucial role in cardiometabolic health. This review explores the interactions between these microbiomes through enteric, hematogenous, and immune pathways, resulti...
Influence of Implant Surfaces on Peri-Implant Diseases – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the current literature on the effect of implant surface characteristics on peri-implant marginal bone levels (MBL), soft tissue periodontal parameters, peri-implantitis, and implant failure rates.
Conclusion: Machined surface implants were favoured in terms of lesser peri-implant MBL, though the difference was not significant. The analysis also demonstrated limited favourable outcomes in terms of periodontal parameters for machined surfaces, with slightly significantly better outcomes in terms of probing pocket depths. However, rough surface implants tended to display a lower implant failure.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653924015533
From all of us at IFDH
✨️Happy International Women’s Day!✨️ Celebrating the women who care for our healthy smiles around the world! 💜 Keep leading, inspiring, and making a difference. #IWD #IFDH #WomenInOralHealth #upward
Poor Oral Hygiene: A Hidden Risk Factor for Helicobacter pylori Infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) initially enters the human body through the mouth. The correlation between oral health and H. pylori infection status remains a topic of debate in the scientific literature. To elucidate the relationships between H. pylori infection and oral hygiene status and habits, we performed a cross-sectional study among dyspeptic patients.
Conclusion: The results of our research indicate a relationship between oral health and oral H. pylori infection, suggesting that poor oral hygiene may be associated with an increased risk of oral H. pylori colonization.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925000012?dgcid=raven_sd_aip_email
Exploring the Link Between Maternal Oral Health
Literacy and Child Oral Health Behaviours
Caregiver’s oral health literacy (OHL) has a multidimensional impact
on child oral health outcomes. In infants and toddlers, oral health behaviours (OHB) play a crucial role in the development of early childhood caries and could be related to the care giver’s OHL. A simple OHL assessment may help identify children at risk of caries. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal OHL and the child OBs during the first 2 years of life.
Clinical Relevance: ThREALD-30 may be a useful screening tool for assessing mothers with young children at risk of early childhood caries.
pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/778947/AIP/1-s2.0-S0020653925000073/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQo...
The Complex World of Toothpaste Diversity, Meeting Patient Clinical Needs. An Umbrella Review
Amidst numerous recent advancements in toothpaste formulations and active ingredients, some clinicians may believe all toothpastes are similar despite differences in their active ingredients and corresponding clinical application.
Conclusions Toothpaste active ingredient efficacies are diverse. As such, oral healthcare providers should consider recommendation of toothpastes containing appropriate active ingredients by effectively targeting oral conditions/diseases according to each patient's needs.
The Complex World of Toothpaste Diversity, Meeting Patient Clinical Needs. An Umbrella Review
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Background Amidst numerous recent advancements in toothpaste formulations and active ingredients, some clinicians may believe all toothpastes are similar despite differences in their active ingredie.....
❤️ This Valentine’s Day, Share Love with a Healthy Smile ❤️
A smile is a reflexion of love – for yourself, for others, and for the profession we are passionate about.
As we already know, *THERE IS NO HEALTH WITHOUT ORAL HEALTH*.The International Federation of Dental Hygienists is committed to spreading this message worldwide because true care starts with a smile, and a healthy smile starts with prevention 🥰🪥🦷
Please 'Like' and 'Share" the care
#ValentinesSmile #IFDH #NoHealthWithoutOralHealth
Open Access
The Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Oral Microbiome and Metabolome in 3D Tissue-Engineered Models
Recent studies have shown that electronic cigarettes (ECs) use disrupts the oral microbiome composition and diversity, impairing the metabolic pathways of the mucosal cells. However, to date, no reports have evaluated the role of EC exposure in the context of oral metabolome. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of EC aerosol exposure in the dysregulation of the oral microbiome and metabolome profile using in vitro 3D organotypic models of human oral mucosa.
This study underscores the significant impact of EC use on oral health, highlighting alterations in the oral microbiome, bacterial composition, and metabolite profiles via a clinically relevant in vitro 3D organotypic model of human oral mucosa.
🌟Become an IFDH Member Today!🌟 Are you a dental hygienist, oral health therapist or dental therapist looking to elevate your profession globally? Join the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) as an individual member! membership@ifdh.org www.ifdh.org #IFDH #upward
Pregnancy and peri-partum
Stress and mental health symptoms in early pregnancy are associated with the oral microbiome
Research has revealed associations between microbes of the gastrointestinal tract and stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant or postpartum women. While these studies suggest a gut-brain-behaviour axis, no studies have examined microbes of the oral cavity in relation to maternal mental health.
Understanding oral microbiome–mental health relations may reveal future microbial targets to improve maternal psychological well-being.
Stress and mental health symptoms in early pregnancy are associated with the oral microbiome
mentalhealth.bmj.com
Background Research has revealed associations between microbes of the gastrointestinal tract and stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant or postpartum women. While these studies suggest a gut-brain...
🦷🎗 This World Cancer Day, We Stand for Early Detection & Prevention!
Dental hygienists, oral health therapists, and dental therapists do more than care for smiles - they help save lives!
🔍 Oral cancer can be silent, but we are trained to detect it early.
✔️ Spotting the first warning signs
✔️ Educating on prevention & risk factors
✔️ Supporting patients through treatment
💡 Your oral health is your strength. Early detection makes all the difference!
#IFDH #WorldCancerDay #OralHealthHeroes #upwards #OralCancerAwareness #HygienistsSaveLives
The 2023-2024 IFDH Social Responsibility Awards recognized outstanding initiatives that made a real difference in communities worldwide! 🌎💡 From innovative oral health education programs to groundbreaking outreach efforts, these projects exemplified the power of our profession beyond the clinic.
🔜 What’s next? The 2025-2026 program is just around the corner - a new theme, new opportunities, and new ways to make an impact 🎉! Are you ready to be part of the next wave of social responsibility champions? 💪
📢 Stay tuned and follow us to be the first to know! The next theme and application details are coming real soon! Maybe your project could be awarded too!
www.IFDH.org
#IFDH #SocialResponsibility #upwards #OralHealthForAll #2025IsComing #GlobalOralHealth #BeTheChange
Early Childhood Exposures to Fluorides and Cognitive Neurodevelopment: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
It is important to maintain confidence in the risk and benefit balance of major caries-preventive programs using fluoride. The ongoing debate about potential effects of early-life exposures to fluoride on cognitive neurodevelopment requires high-quality scientific evidence. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of fluoride exposure on cognitive neurodevelopment assessed with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th edition (WAIS-IV) in an Australian population-based sample.
Conclusion: This population-based follow-up study has provided consistent scientific evidence that early-life exposure to fluoride was not negatively associated with cognitive neurodevelopment. The findings, in combination with the current body of knowledge, provide assurance that the currently practiced WF programs are both effective and safe for young children.
journals.sagepub.com
It is important to maintain confidence in the risk and benefit balance of major caries-preventive programs using fluoride. The ongoing debate about potential ef...
🎉 Happy Lunar New Year Day from IFDH 🎊
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom and adaptability, we wish everyone health, prosperity, and happiness. This festive season is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our achievements and look forward to new beginnings - at IFDH we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to!
🌟 Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Lunar New Year filled with happiness, health and radiant smiles! 🌟
#upward #IFDH
🌍📚 Happy International Education Day from IFDH! 🦷🪥✨
Today, we honor the transformative power of education and research in building healthier smiles, overall health and brighter futures worldwide.
At IFDH, we’re proud to support dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists through education, research, impactful white papers, and meaningful programs. We strive to inspire change and make a lasting difference - one lesson, one study, and one smile at a time ❤️😃
🌟🎓 Lifelong learning enhances professional growth and strengthens the health and well-being of communities.
🌟🎓 Education and research are vital in driving progress and improving global oral health outcomes.
🌟🎓 Education helps reduce illiteracy and bridge gaps, creating more equitable opportunities and better overall health for all.
Discover more about IFDH’s educational and research initiatives, programs, and white papers at: www.ifdh.org
❗️Extension Deadline approaching❗️
This is your opportunity to showcase and be recognised for your idea/s 💡
Deadline for submissions: 30 January 2025
www.ifdh.org
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Beyond sugar-sweetened beverages: Tackling oral health risks of ultraprocessed foods. Tackling oral health risks of ultraprocessed foods.
Habib Benzian DDS, PhD, MScDPH, Sudeshni Naidoo BDS, PhD, MDPH, DSc, Shu Wen Ng PhD, FTOS
The global rise in the consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) increasingly is recognized as a critical public health issue, with far-reaching implications for population health and individual well-being, including oral health. UPFs, which are industrially produced foods high in sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and synthetic additives that usually are not used in home cooking, are driving the global epidemics of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and caries.1 It is essential for oral health care professionals to understand the profound impact of UPFs on oral health and to advocate for measures that mitigate these harmful effects, particularly in the United States, where the prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases has reached alarming levels due to the high consumption of UPFs.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002817724006986?dgcid=author
🚨 Deadline Extended! 🚨
We’re excited to announce that the submission deadline for the Innovation Awards Program has been extended! 🎉
If you’ve been working on an innovative project or idea and haven’t had the chance to submit yet, now’s your chance! Take your time to perfect your submission and get it in before 30 January 2025!
www.ifdh.org
#ifdh #upward
Resveratrol alters oral biofilm in vitro and in vivo
Objective
To evaluate the ability of resveratrol to reduce dental caries in vitro and in vivo.
Resveratrol at 50 and 200 µg/mL significantly reduced biofilm metabolic activity and mutans streptococci, respectively. Chlorhexidine was an effective treatment to significantly reduce all parameters, being an important antimicrobial and anticaries agent in vitro. Resveratrol alone or associated with NaF modulated several caries-associated bacteria in vivo.
Conclusion
The present study represents the first step regarding the use of resveratrol within the concept of acquired enamel pellicle and biofilm engineering to prevent dental caries.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571224006365
Welcome to the First IFDH e-Newsletter of 2025! ✨🌍
We’re excited to kick off the year with the first edition of our IFDH e-newsletter!
We share the latest news, insights, and innovations for 2025.
Visit www.ifdh.org to read more or click on the following link ifdh.org/enews/ifdh-enews-january-2025.html
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