October 2025

Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA

Difference Maker

“A dedicated person who can make a big impact even with just a small action or a few words. Someone who improves the lives of others. One who rallies or encourages others to propel themselves #upward and bring about change”

When you read the definition of a difference maker, does it ring true? Does it sound like anyone you know? It sounds like every one of you!

Read more in Jill's message, including:

A Successful Virtual HoD Business Meeting
IFDH Participates in Roundtable
Congratulations to Bright Smiles, Bright Futures!
IFDH Programs & Happenings
Committees Spotlight

Read the full message.

IFDH EVENTS

International Symposium Website is Open!

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

Our Website is OPEN: https://isdh2026.com/

- Registration

- Hotels

- Program Daily Overview

- and much more

DATES TO SAVE:

Abstracts Submissions: September 15, 2025 – January 7, 2026
Symposium: July 9-12, 2026

International Symposium on Dental Hygiene 2024

A Successful House of Delegates
2026 Virtual Business Meeting

Our virtual House of Delegates meeting was a great success! With 24 member countries represented, the delegates had the opportunity to hear about all IFDH initiatives and also to share their thoughts. The remaining country members were unable to participate due to the time difference. Each member association presented an overview of its organization’s activities for all to learn from. We plan to continue having a virtual meeting every other year in order to conduct IFDH business and keep in touch with our member countries. It was great to “see” everyone!

IFDH 5th Annual
Global Oral Health Summit

500 Registered to Date!

The IFDH 2025 Global Oral Health Summit series brings together influential worldwide leaders and stakeholders to discuss how dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists, and oral health therapists can reduce the burden of oral diseases and their global economic impact.
Click for more on the expert speakers and topics.

Date: Virtual, Saturday, November 8, 2025
Registration: FREE for IFDH Member Country members

IFDH NEWS

IFDH President Participates in Oral Health
Roundtable During United Nations Week

Jill Rethman, IFDH President, recently traveled to New York for an exciting event on September 24th. She participated in a roundtable discussion with high-level global oral health experts, policymakers, and leaders from the public and private sectors on the topic of Advancing Oral Health. It was sponsored by Colgate and hosted by Dr. Maria Ryan, Colgate-Palmolive’s Chief Clinical Officer. Click to read more.

IFDH Embarks on New Project:

A Global Report:
The Current State of Prevention in Oral Healthcare

IFDH has officially announced that a Global Report will be developed in the next year. It will review the preventive practices that currently exist in the dental hygiene profession globally, based on a survey of IFDH 34 national association memberships.

The survey results will be developed into a professionally designed document that describes each country’s preventive practices along with common themes. In addition, the IFDH will develop recommendations to enhance preventive oral care and the role of the dental hygienist in providing such services.

IFDH PROGRAMS

Our 4th and 5th White Papers Published

IFDH is proud to have completed two more White Papers recently in our Prevention and Treatment White Paper Series.

• Aging and Oral Health

• Oral Health for Patients with Complex Medical Needs

Click to read more.

Results of our 11th Survey:
INTERDENTAL CLEANING

Given the importance of interdental plaque removal to oral health, the IFDH fielded its eleventh survey to better understand global practices and beliefs around interdental cleaning. Almost 700 respondents from 34 countries participated!

Click here to see the results of the survey.

Impact Awards Presented

The 2024 IFDH Impact Awards for national association programs that made the most impact on the improvement of oral health, and based on the quality of the program, were awarded at the recent HoD Business Meeting, based on size of the national associations. Photo: Canada Executive Director and President received their award from IFDH President (middle).

Click to read about the winning programs.

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.

Learn more.

MEMBER NEWS