The IFDH Mission

The International Federation of Dental Hygienists is an international non-profit association uniting national dental hygienist organizations, by fostering leadership and collaboration.

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 President Report

September 2023

September 7, 2023

CONTACT eNews

September, 2023

2023 Global Oral Health Summit

Announced March 1, 2023

Social Responsibility 2023-24

New Tools to Help You

February 28, 2023

Apply Now!

January 20, 2023

Working Abroad

Click for one of our member countries

New Tools to Help You February 28, 2023

IFDH Facebook Posts

Facebook Posts

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2023 Global Oral Health Summit (Nov. 4th): FREE Registration for Dental Hygienist and Therapist members of our national organizations. Registration opens Friday 22nd September. See link below
ifdh.org/global-oral-health-summit-2023/
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To all our Jewish colleagues celebrating their New Year tomorrow.
🎊 SHANAH TOVAH 🎊
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To all our Jewish colleagues celebrating their New Year tomorrow. 
🎊 SHANAH TOVAH 🎊
1 week ago
International Federation of Dental Hygienists

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New speaker for the free Global Oral Health Summit.
Brett Duane
Associate Professor,
Trinity College Dublin

IFDH 2023 Global Oral Health Summit
Motivation, Inspiration & Guiding Actions
for Dental Hygienists
In Support of the WHO Global Strategy on Oral Health & Sustainability Initiatives

Saturday November 4th, 2023
VIRTUAL: 10 am ET; 4pm CET

For further information on speakers and topics please visit :
ifdh.org/global-oral-health-summit-2023/
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New speaker for the free Global Oral Health Summit.
Brett Duane
Associate Professor,
Trinity College Dublin
IFDH 2023 Global Oral Health Summit
Motivation, Inspiration & Guiding Actions
for Dental Hygienists
In Support of the WHO Global Strategy on Oral Health & Sustainability Initiatives
Saturday November 4th, 2023
VIRTUAL: 10 am ET; 4pm CET
For further information on speakers and topics please visit :
https://ifdh.org/global-oral-health-summit-2023/

The International Federation of Dental Hygienists Symposium on Dental Hygiene, Seoul, South Korea 11th-13thof July 2024.
Visit www.isdh2024.com to find
Important dates released on registration and submissions.
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The International Federation of Dental Hygienists Symposium on Dental Hygiene, Seoul, South Korea 11th-13thof July 2024.
Visit www.isdh2024.com to find
Important dates released on registration and submissions.
2 weeks ago
International Federation of Dental Hygienists

Thank you to all our member countries house of delegates who participated in our virtual meeting yesterday. It was great to keep intouch and very informative. We look forward to our next meeting in Seoul, Korea 2024 at the International Federation of Dental Hygienist's Symposium on Dental Hygiene. ... See MoreSee Less

Hello! The Educational Committee had a meeting today to discuss the Education Academy website pages of IFDH, and they've been making great progress. They're working hard on developing it. If you're interested, you can check it out by visiting www.ifdh.org and clicking on the Education Academy tab. You'll find a variety of interesting links, such as webinars, videos, books, and research. ... See MoreSee Less

Hello! The Educational Committee had a meeting today to discuss the Education Academy website pages of IFDH, and theyve been making great progress. Theyre working hard on developing it. If youre interested, you can check it out by visiting www.ifdh.org and clicking on the Education Academy tab. Youll find a variety of interesting links, such as webinars, videos, books, and research.

Did you know as an individual IFDH member you can receive a free one year subscription to the IJDH? However, free open access papers can be viewed at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16015037

Join the IFDH as an individual member.
ifdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Membership-Application-Individual.pdf
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Did you know as an individual IFDH member you can receive a free one year subscription to the IJDH?  However, free open access papers can be viewed at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16015037  
Join the IFDH as an individual member.
https://ifdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Membership-Application-Individual.pdf

The IFDH Board of Directors meeting took place yesterday. A long list on the agenda, part 2 next week!
Watch out for our latest enews in the coming weeks. www.ifdh.org
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The IFDH Board of Directors meeting took place yesterday. A long list on the agenda, part 2 next week! 
Watch out for our latest enews in the coming weeks. www.ifdh.org

WHO proposes best practices for clinical trials

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a draft guidance spelling out some of the important scientific and ethical considerations for well-designed clinical trials. The document also suggests ways to strengthen the clinical trial ecosystem and touches on improving enrollment of under-represented populations.

The guidance notes that “despite the widely recognized importance of clinical trials, in many areas of health the evidence base remains weak, with decision-making processes lacking results from well-designed and well-conducted clinical trials. The reasons may be that clinical trials were never done, or those that were done failed to produce scientifically-robust and clinically-relevant answers or the results were never published.”

cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/research-for-health/2023-07_who-guidance-for-best-practices...
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WHO proposes best practices for clinical trials
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a draft guidance spelling out some of the important scientific and ethical considerations for well-designed clinical trials. The document also suggests ways to strengthen the clinical trial ecosystem and touches on improving enrollment of under-represented populations.
The guidance notes that “despite the widely recognized importance of clinical trials, in many areas of health the evidence base remains weak, with decision-making processes lacking results from well-designed and well-conducted clinical trials. The reasons may be that clinical trials were never done, or those that were done failed to produce scientifically-robust and clinically-relevant answers or the results were never published.”
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/research-for-health/2023-07_who-guidance-for-best-practices-for-clinical-trials_draft-for-public-consultation.pdf?sfvrsn=7a5c9fa5_4

Embrace the Power of Smiles for a Healthier Tomorrow!
The IFDH Social Responsibility Program is in full swing! 🌍🦷 We're excited to announce awards for outstanding Oral Health projects that promote sustainability for future generations' overall well-being.

Have you initiated a program in your country yet? Is there an ongoing social responsibility project that's making a positive impact? We want to hear from you!

Together, we have the power to make a profound difference in countless lives and create a legacy of brighter smiles. Let's unite and bring about the change that only hygienists as oral helth promoter can do for generations to come.

For submissions and more information, reach out to ifdh.org/programs/social-responsibility-overview/
Let's make communities smile for a healthier world! 😄🌎🏆 #ifdhsocialresponsibility #BrighterSmilesAhead
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Saliva diagnostics: Salivaomics, saliva exosomics, and saliva liquid biopsy.

Each day, humans produce approximately 0.5 through 1.5 liters of saliva, a biofluid that is rich in biological omic constituents. Our lack of understanding how omic biomarkers migrate from diseased tissue to the saliva has impeded the clinical translation of saliva testing. Although such biomarkers must be conveyed via the vascular and lymphatic systems to the salivary glands, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this transport remain unclear. Although COVID-19 highlighted the need for rapid and reliable testing for infectious diseases, it represents only one of the many health conditions that potentially can be diagnosed using a saliva sample.
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Saliva diagnostics: Salivaomics, saliva exosomics, and saliva liquid biopsy.
Each day, humans produce approximately 0.5 through 1.5 liters of saliva, a biofluid that is rich in biological omic constituents. Our lack of understanding how omic biomarkers migrate from diseased tissue to the saliva has impeded the clinical translation of saliva testing. Although such biomarkers must be conveyed via the vascular and lymphatic systems to the salivary glands, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this transport remain unclear. Although COVID-19 highlighted the need for rapid and reliable testing for infectious diseases, it represents only one of the many health conditions that potentially can be diagnosed using a saliva sample.

To all our friends all around the world Happy International Friendship Day. ... See MoreSee Less

To all our friends all around the world Happy International Friendship Day.

Smile and enjoy the weekend!
#weekend
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Smile and enjoy the weekend!
#weekend

Dental hygienists and dentists as providers of brush biopsies for oral mucosa screening.

Oral cancer is a severe and potentially fatal disease usually starting in the squamous epithelium lining the oral cavity. Together with oropharyngeal carcinoma, it is the fifth to sixth most common malignancy worldwide. To limit the increase in the global oral cancer incidence over the past two decades, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution urging member states to integrate preventive measures such as engagement and training of dental personnel in screening, early diagnosis, and treatment into their national cancer control programs.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/idh.12713
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Dental hygienists and dentists as providers of brush biopsies for oral mucosa screening.
Oral cancer is a severe and potentially fatal disease usually starting in the squamous epithelium lining the oral cavity. Together with oropharyngeal carcinoma, it is the fifth to sixth most common malignancy worldwide. To limit the increase in the global oral cancer incidence over the past two decades, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution urging member states to integrate preventive measures such as engagement and training of dental personnel in screening, early diagnosis, and treatment into their national cancer control programs.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/idh.12713

IFDH President, Wanda Fedora meeting the KDHA President, Yoonsook Hwang along with the Korean Dental Hygienist Association Committee .
Below Wanda meeting the Korean LOC of the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene 2024.
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IFDH President, Wanda Fedora meeting the KDHA President, Yoonsook Hwang along with the Korean Dental Hygienist Association Committee . 
Below Wanda meeting the Korean LOC of the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene 2024.

IFDH President, Wanda Fedora has found her Wanderlust!
Last week she traveled to Chicago to the adah23 to celebrate their 100th year. This week she has been invited to visit and speak at the KDHA' Annual conference in Seoul, Sound Korea.
Safe Travels and Enjoy Wanda.
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IFDH President, Wanda Fedora has found her Wanderlust! 
Last week she traveled to Chicago to the adah23 to celebrate their 100th year. This week she has been invited to visit and speak at the KDHA Annual conference in Seoul, Sound Korea.
Safe Travels and Enjoy Wanda.

Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review brings together the most current scientific evidence on health effects of non-sugar sweetener use.

Non-sugar sweeteners have been developed as an alternative to sugars and are widely used both as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods and beverages and added to food and beverages directly by the consumer. Individual non-sugar sweeteners undergo toxicological assessment by the by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and other authoritative bodies to establish safe levels of intake (i.e. acceptable daily intake or ADI). While results of randomized controlled trials have generally suggested non-sugar sweeteners may have little impact on glucose metabolism and result in lower body weight when coupled with energy restriction in the short-term, there is no clear consensus on whether non-sugar sweeteners are effective for long-term weight loss or maintenance, or if they are linked to other long-term health effects at intakes within the ADI. This systematic review brings together the most current scientific evidence on health effects of non-sugar sweetener use.

www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240046429
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Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review brings together the most current scientific evidence on health effects of non-sugar sweetener use.
Non-sugar sweeteners have been developed as an alternative to sugars and are widely used both as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods and beverages and added to food and beverages directly by the consumer. Individual non-sugar sweeteners undergo toxicological assessment by the by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and other authoritative bodies to establish safe levels of intake (i.e. acceptable daily intake or ADI). While results of randomized controlled trials have generally suggested non-sugar sweeteners may have little impact on glucose metabolism and result in lower body weight when coupled with energy restriction in the short-term, there is no clear consensus on whether non-sugar sweeteners are effective for long-term weight loss or maintenance, or if they are linked to other long-term health effects at intakes within the ADI. This systematic review brings together the most current scientific evidence on health effects of non-sugar sweetener use.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240046429

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Member countries of IFDH I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Battrell family on the passing of Ann Battrell, Executive Director of the ADHA.

I have just returned from the ADHA 100th Anniversary Conference in Chicago, Illinois and was honored to be present for the tribute to this wonderful lady and outstanding leader. I have had the pleasure to meet and know Ann for the past 13 years and I am truly saddened by her passing.

Ann was a champion of our profession and she has left a legacy that will benefit our profession as we evolve through the future. Her vision was the driving force behind her dedication to seeing our profession grow and be all that we can be. She championed self governance, access to care, scope of practice among so many avenues of development. Not only the ADHA but the global community of dental hygiene will be richer for her time with us.

Rest in Peace our friend, a true lady and visionary.”

Wanda Fedora
IFDH President.
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“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Member countries of IFDH I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Battrell family on the passing of Ann Battrell, Executive Director of the ADHA.
I have just returned from the ADHA 100th Anniversary Conference in Chicago, Illinois and was honored to be present for the tribute to this wonderful lady and outstanding leader. I have had the pleasure to meet and know Ann for the past 13 years and I am truly saddened by her passing.
Ann was a champion of our profession and she has left a legacy that will benefit our profession as we evolve through the future. Her vision was the driving force behind her dedication to seeing our profession grow and be all that we can be. She championed self governance, access to care, scope of practice among so many avenues of development. Not only the ADHA but the global community of dental hygiene will be richer for her time with us.
Rest in Peace our friend, a true lady and visionary.”
Wanda Fedora 
IFDH President.

Hello Dental Hygienists, where are you from? Leave a comment and tell us!

Do you want to know how you or your country can become a member of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists?

If so please visit our website ifdh.org/membership/
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Hello Dental Hygienists,  where are you from?  Leave a comment and tell us!
Do you want to know how you or your country can become a member of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists? 
If so please visit our website https://ifdh.org/membership/

Have a fruitful weekend!
#weekend
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Have a fruitful weekend!
#weekend

The IFDH board of directors held their monthyl board today . Lots to discuss with a full agenda. ... See MoreSee Less

The IFDH board of directors held their monthyl board today . Lots to discuss with a full agenda.

On the day of the IFDH 37th birthday, we met with our Local Organizing Committee from the Korean Dental Hygienist Association planning the 2024 International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Seoul, July 11-13, 2024. More details on registration, hotels, abstract deadlines coming September or earlier. SAVE THE DATES! ... See MoreSee Less

On the day of the IFDH 37th birthday, we met with our Local Organizing Committee from the Korean Dental Hygienist Association planning the 2024 International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Seoul, July 11-13, 2024. More details on registration, hotels, abstract deadlines coming September or earlier. SAVE THE DATES!

National Dental Hygienist Organisations, Join IFDH! 😁🪥🦷🌏
Visit ifdh.org/membership/
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National Dental Hygienist Organisations, Join IFDH! 😁🪥🦷🌏
Visit https://ifdh.org/membership/

Have a sunny and peaceful weekend!
#weekend
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Have a sunny and peaceful weekend!
#weekend

Read the IFDH June eNews visit the link below. ifdh.org/enews/ifdh-enews-june-2023.html ... See MoreSee Less

Read the IFDH June eNews visit the link below. https://ifdh.org/enews/ifdh-enews-june-2023.html

Happy Saturday!
Do today something that makes You smile.
#saturday
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Happy Saturday!
Do today something that makes You smile.
#saturday

“The weekend is here and you deserve a medal for getting through this week. May your weekend feel longer than the working week.”
— Unknown
#weekend #fun
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“The weekend is here and you deserve a medal for getting through this week. May your weekend feel longer than the working week.” 
— Unknown
#weekend #fun

Take IFDH Survey #8:

Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices

This survey will help us better understand global dental hygienists’ Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices. It only takes a few minutes.
Click here to take our survey
project.tolunastart.com/tqsruntime/main?surveyData=MEJ4JeEUQ23Z89bf9rezklvnZCjIXCGykFTc+UDnW8MyxL...

No personal information is collected. By taking the survey, respondents consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes. We thank P&G for their support of this program.
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Take IFDH Survey #8:
Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices
This survey will help us better understand global dental hygienists’ Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices. It only takes a few minutes. 
Click here to take our survey
https://project.tolunastart.com/tqsruntime/main?surveyData=MEJ4JeEUQ23Z89bf9rezklvnZCjIXCGykFTc+UDnW8MyxLds4nohgF6IiTgUK9NS
No personal information is collected. By taking the survey, respondents consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes. We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Read more about members news.
ifdh.org/enews/ifdh-enews-april-2023.html

#canada #belgium #denmark #Israel #slovakrebuplic #UnitedKngdom
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Read more about members news.
https://ifdh.org/enews/ifdh-enews-april-2023.html
#canada #belgium #denmark #israel #slovakrebuplic #unitedkngdom

Take IFDH Survey #8:

Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices

This survey will help us better understand global dental hygienists’ Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices. It only takes a few minutes.
Click here to take the survey.
project.tolunastart.com/tqsruntime/main?surveyData=MEJ4JeEUQ23Z89bf9rezklvnZCjIXCGykFTc+UDnW8MyxL...

No personal information is collected. By taking the survey, respondents consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes. We thank P&G for their support of this program.
... See MoreSee Less

Take IFDH Survey #8:
Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices
This survey will help us better understand global dental hygienists’ Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices. It only takes a few minutes. 
Click here to take the survey.
https://project.tolunastart.com/tqsruntime/main?surveyData=MEJ4JeEUQ23Z89bf9rezklvnZCjIXCGykFTc+UDnW8MyxLds4nohgF6IiTgUK9NS
No personal information is collected. By taking the survey, respondents consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes. We thank P&G for their support of this program.
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Celebrate With Us

Watch our 4.5 minute video below to learn about IFDH