December 2025

Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA

A Great Year & More to Come!

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”—
Socrates

A new year is upon us....what will it bring? It’s always exciting to begin another chapter, and it's fortunate that, with each January, we can reset. It’s a change in focus that enables us to solidify what’s important and to prioritize. At IFDH, we are excited for this coming year. Our priorities guide us, and our focus is strong. There is so much to look forward to and there are so many wonderful things ahead! Click to hear Jill’s holiday and 2026 message.

Read more in Jill's message, including:

Visit to the AIDI Congress in Bologna, Italy
IFDH Symposium Deadlines Approaching
Milestone in Oral Health!
Partner Updates
Our Global Oral Health Summit
Committee Spotlight: Membership and Research Grants

Read the full message.

IFDH EVENTS

International Symposium:
Everyone is Excited & Can't Wait!

Milano Convention Centre, Milan Italy; July 9-11, 2026

The IFDH International Symposium on Dental Hygiene is held every two years to provide a forum for discussing and understanding issues related to dental hygiene. Our 2026 location will be the fashion capital of Milan, Italy!

With top speakers from around the world, the theme is:

Oral and General Health:
Prevention & Progress

Find out More: https://isdh2026.com/

SAVE 100€

DATES TO SAVE:

Abstracts Submissions: January 15 (Extended!)
Registration Early Bird: March 30, 2026
Symposium: July 9-12, 2026

International Symposium on Dental Hygiene 2024

Largest Registration Ever!

IFDH 5th Annual Global Oral Health Summit

With its largest registration ever, the IFDH 2025 Global Oral Health Summit brought together several influential worldwide leaders and stakeholders in mid-November. Presentations and the Q&A’s helped dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists, and oral health therapists better understand the issue of reducing the burden of oral diseases and their global economic impact.
Click for more on the expert speakers and topics.

IFDH NEWS

IFDH Embarks on New Annual Project

IFDH has officially announced that a Global Report will be developed in 2026. It will review the preventive practices that currently exist in the dental hygiene profession globally, based on a survey of IFDH 32 national association memberships. The survey results will be compiled into a professionally designed document that describes each country’s preventive practices and common themes. In addition, the IFDH will develop recommendations to enhance preventive oral care and the dental hygienist's role in providing these services.

IFDH Adds New Advocacy Advisory Committee

Based on input from its membership, the IFDH Board of Directors has officially approved the formation of a new Advocacy Advisory Committee (AAC) to it current list of nine other committees. The committee will begin operations once experienced committee members are finalized. The AAC will keep watch for the IFDH, to shape policies and practices to advance the professions of dental hygiene, dental therapy, oral therapy and oral health therapy. In consultation with the IFDH Board, the AAC will help to strategize practical and effective advocacy efforts.

IFDH PROGRAMS

Know Someone to Apply
For our Innovation Awards?

The IFDH Innovation Awards program, sponsored by Haleon, recognizes innovative Dental Hygienists with a focus on technology and treatment. The awards will recognize you, or someone you know, who is currently in the process of developing, or already developed (in the past 5-6 years).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

Have You Joined IFDH as an Individual Member?

Any Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist, Oral Therapist, or Oral Health Therapist who is a member in good standing of a national association that is an IFDH association member, OR is a graduate of an accredited 2-year educational program in their field, may apply. Click here for our Benefits and an Application.

You’re a Past Member and want to Re-Join?

Contact us for more information .

World Dental Hygienist Awards

Now in Process!

The 2026 World Dental Hygienist Awards program is open for applications. The six winners from each region plus nominees from Africa, Asia, LATAM and Oceania will compete for the WDHA.

- Africa, Asia, Latin America & Oceania:

Deadline: March 31st, 2026

The winners will be awarded at the 2026 International Symposium in Dental Hygiene in Milan Italy, July 9-11, 2026. Click for more information.

Social Responsibility Projects:

Have a Current One OR Want to Start One?

Healthy smiles generate higher self-esteem and confidence. Helping educate the elderly about oral health will maintain overall well-being and quality of life.

Your project could be the next IFDH Award-winning initiative.

Project Application DEADLINE: February 2, 2026

Learn more.

MEMBER NEWS