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Creating Value Together
Dear IFDH Members,
As I begin my term as President, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has brought me here and the opportunities we can create together. I feel deeply honoured by the trust placed in me and genuinely excited to take this next step alongside you.
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Fouzieh Eliassy, RDH, BSc
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As IFDH celebrates its 40th anniversary, we honour four decades of global collaboration, professional progress and shared commitment to better oral health. This milestone is not only a celebration of how far we have come, but an inspiration for everything we can achieve together in the years ahead.
Read the President’s full message, including:
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Leadership Across Borders |
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ISDH 2026: An Extraordinary Global Gathering |
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The IFDH Booth: Conversations That Matter |
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Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors! |
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Save the Date: Dubai in 2028 |
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Global Oral Health Summit: November 7, 2026 |
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Global Oral Health Summit: November 7, 2026 |
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2026 International Symposium in Milan
Over 1,300 Attendees from 48 Countries
With over 1,300 participants from 48 countries, 100 oral presentations and 175 posters from around the world, the 2026 International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Milan was a great success! Our local host organization, Associazione Igienisti Dentali Italiani (AIDI), pulled out all the stops – to ensure an excellent experience. Read the article and see more photos.
Members Proud to Represent Their Country Click to see larger photos.
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(L-R): Belgium, Italy, United Kingdom & Ireland, United Sates
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House of Delegates Business Meeting
In the city of Baveno, Italy, on Lake Maggiore and 45 minutes outside of Milan, three days prior to ISDH, representatives from 22 IFDH national association member countries met to renew and develop new friendships and discuss common issues. Read More.
Delegate Leadership Workshop
The 2026 Leadership Workshop engaged and inspired IFDH delegates with two exciting, 90-minute sessions:
• The Intelligent Hygienist and Therapist: Using AI to Elevate Care, Careers, and Clinical Impact
• Beyond the Basics: The Scope, Skills, and Service of our Therapist Colleagues
Read More.
Global Oral Health Summit
November 7th; Get 4 CEs; Register FREE!
In the city of Baveno, Italy, on Lake Maggiore and 45 minutes outside of Milan, three days prior to ISDH, representatives from 22 IFDH national association member countries met to renew and develop new friendships and discuss common issues. Read More.
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New Board Elected
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Congratulations to the new IFDH Board of Directors recently elected at the HoD Business Meeting in Baveno, Italy. Led by incoming President Fouzieh Eliassy, of Sweden, see the full list, photos and bio’s.
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New Committee Members
The incoming President has appointed a new slate of Chairs for the 10 Committees immediately after the HoD Business Meeting. They have received their charges for the next two years and many have already met and started their work.
New Advocacy Advisory Committee Added! The IFDH’s new Advocacy Advisory Committee (AAC) will keep watch for the IFDH, with the goal of shaping 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 strategize practical, effective advocacy efforts initiated and requested by the Board.
See the full committee list, photos and responsibilities.
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IFDH Global Report Unveiled at ISDH
IFDH has completed a detailed survey of all 31 member countries, reviewing the preventive practices currently used in the dental hygiene profession worldwide. The details have been compiled into a professionally designed document that describes each country’s preventive practices and common themes. It was unveiled at ISDH in Milan. We thank ColgatePalmolive for their generous support of this unique publication – the first of its kind! Click here for more details and to download the publication.
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Listen to the IFDH NEW Podcast!
IFDH Conversations: Today’s Topics with a Global View
In this series of podcasts, the IFDH President speaks with experts from around the world to discuss topics of interest to dental hygienists and dental therapy professionals. The conversations will enhance your understanding and broaden your perspective, perhaps with a few surprises.
The first three podcasts include:
- Fluoride – Is It Relevant Anymore?
Dr. Victoria Patrounova, RDH MHA
- Why We Should Still Focus on Perio/Systemic Links
Trisha O’Hehir, MS, RDH
- The Future of Online Resources & AI
Melissa K. Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA
To learn more and listen, click here.
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Graduate Research Grants
DEADLINE: October 15th!
The IFDH research grant program provides small grants for students
enrolled in dental hygiene graduate programs conducting thesis research (Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD levels).
The deadline, October 15th is fast approaching. Tell your colleagues
to submit an application.
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IFDH Awards Announced in Seoul
Impact Awards
The 2023 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, based on size of the national associations. Click to see the winners.
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). Click to see the winners.
Research Grants
The IFDH Research Grants program for students enrolled in dental hygiene graduate programs conducting thesis research were awarded. Click to see the winners.
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Social Responsibility Awards
The 2026 Social Responsibility Awards were announced and presented during a Workshop for ISDH attendees in Milan. The theme of the projects was “Improving Oral Health for Elderly Populations.”
• Click to see the winners and their projects.
• Click to see ALL past awardees since 2014.
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World Dental Hygienist Awards
Since 2007, IFDH and the Sunstar Foundation have joined forces to present the World Dental Hygienist Awards to recognize Dental Hygienists who have made significant contributions to dental hygiene science, or to patients, the community and the general public. The winners participated in a panel discussion in front of a large audience at ISDH. Click to see the winners.
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Click on a title to read an article.
Australia
• IFDH Impact Award Winner
• Launching an Integrated Digital Ecosystem
Canada
• Public Opinion on the State of Oral Health in Canada
Denmark
• Free Dental Care for All Citizens in Denmark
Italy
• Speaking about Milan’s ISDH 2026
Korea
• A Very Successful Academic Conference
Nepal
• Nepal Flood Victims Benefit from Oral Health Screening and Free Oral Hygiene Kit Distribution Camp
Slovakia
• A Proud Achievement
United States
• Impact Award Winner
• New White Paper: Dental Hygiene Self-Governance: An Ethical and Economic Imperative
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Calendar
2026
Sep 26-28:American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) Annual Conference "The Heart of Hygiene"
Fort Worth, Texas
Oct 10:The Association of Dental Hygienists in the Slovak Republic (ADHS) General Assembly 2026
Bešeňová, Slovakia
Oct 15-17:The Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) Illuminating Oral Health Under Southern Skies
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Oct 23-24:The Oral Hygienists' Association of South Africa (OHA) National Conference
Cape Town, South Africa
Nov 12-14:Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) National Conference
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nov 13-14:The Irish Dental Hygienists Association (DHA) Annual Scientific Conference "From Momentum to Movement"
Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland
Nov 21-22:Asociace Dentalnich Hygienistek CR Autumn Conference
Prague, Czech Republic
Nov 27-28:Associazione Igienisti Dentali Italiani (AIDI) 36th National Congress
Bologna, Italy
Nov 27-28:British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy. The Oral Health Conference
ICC Wales
2027
May 14-15:The Association of Dental Hygienists in the Slovak Republic (ADHS) Dental Hygiene Days 2027
Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
Is Your Annual Conference Listed?
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CONTACT eNews
Published by
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Editors:
Peter Anas, Executive Director
Clare Karpinski, Membership Director
with support from
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International Federation of Dental Hygienists
100 South Washington St., Rockville MD 20850 USA.
Phone: 240-778-6790
www.IFDH.org
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