IFDH Participates in WHO Oral Health Meeting

by Jill Rethman, IFDH President

The IFDH was asked to participate in this first-ever World Health Organization conference that highlighted the importance of oral health as part of overall health. Taking place in Bangkok, Thailand November 26-29, it was such an honor to represent all of us as the voice of dental hygienists! Approximately 300 attendees representing over 110 countries were there.

As the representative for IFDH, I was part of the “Non-State Actor” delegation that included numerous oral care organizations and stakeholders. After a beautiful performance from local singers and dancers, the meeting started with a video message from Dr. Tedros Adhenom Ghebreysus, WHO Director General. His words resonated with everyone there: “There is no health without oral health!”

The multitude of speakers shared their insights on how to improve the oral health of the public in their respective countries. Many of the presenters were National Health Directors, and not all had backgrounds in oral health care. And a large number of the countries do not utilize dental hygienists, but they do implement dental therapists of various types.

IFDH President on Plenary Panel

As prevention was an important focus of the meeting, I was determined to inform the attendees about the crucial role of dental hygienists in the prevention of oral diseases. I expressed during the Day 3 plenary panel discussion (attended by all!) that dental hygiene is the only oral healthcare profession that was founded on the concept of prevention and has that as our very core. We are highly capable of assessing and educating the public on the risks of caries, periodontal diseases and oral cancer. And we make a difference in peoples’ lives!

Key Points Discussed

Along with the panel discussion on Day 3, it was a pleasure to participate in a one-hour evening presentation along with colleagues from several of the educational organizations around the world, such as ADEA and ADEE. We discussed ways to collaborate and enhance knowledge and how to promote the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan.

I discussed our recently published White Paper, “Oral Health During Pregnancy and the Role of Dental Hygienists,” and the upcoming papers that will focus on:

• Behavioral Change
• Aging & Oral Care
• Oral Health for Medically Challenged Patients
• Impact of Sustainability
• Cost Effectiveness of Prevention

I emphasized that collaboration is key and each oral healthcare professional role is vital in providing increased access and lower cost of care. Moreover, collaboration is grounded in Respect – Consensus – Embracing Diversity – Sustainable Focus – Whole Health

Goal of Global Oral Health Coverage

The overarching goal of the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting was to encourage the Member States to implement universal oral health coverage across the globe. To that end and on the final day, all Member States signed the Bangkok Declaration where they committed to providing resources and personnel to achieve that goal.

The IFDH would like to thank Dr. Benoit Varenne, Dental Officer in the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) department of the WHO, for ensuring that we not only had a seat at the table, but were asked to actively participate and share our voice in this important meeting. We look forward to future collaborations and working together to improve oral health.

We also express our gratitude to IFDH Past Presidents Corrie Jongbloed Zoet and Wanda Fedora for setting the stage for us. Their hard work during their presidencies made it possible for us to be a part of this historical event, and we are forever grateful.

For a complete overview of the meeting, go to this link and scroll down to “Day 3” and then “Panel – Experiences with Innovating Workforce Models” to watch Jill’s panel discussion.