IFDH eNews: January 2025
Member News
Australia
Australia gets a new professional association to address community oral health needs.
Members of the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association Ltd (ADOHTA) and Dental Hygienists Association of Australia Limited (DHAA) overwhelmingly supported and passed the special resolution to establish a new peak professional association to represent and support Oral Health Practitioners (OHPs, including Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists) in Australia. Both are members of the IFDH.
The new association will be called Oral Health Association of Australia Ltd (OHAA). It is anticipated that the OHAA will take over full operation from ADOHTA and DHAA on July 1, 2025. It will offer streamlined and fit-for-purpose services, high-quality CPD, and significantly enhanced representation for OHPs in Australia.
More importantly, the OHAA unifies OHPs under one umbrella and strengthens the profession's capacity to support excellence in innovative models of care that improve oral health in the community. The new OHAA leadership combines the talents of two highly regarded peak bodies, now better equipped to drive meaningful change. This change will focus on addressing the longstanding neglect of oral health needs in the community. Through coordinated efforts in advocacy, workforce training, and public education, the OHAA is well-positioned to make a lasting impact to improve the oral health outcomes of all Australians.
Canada
Revision to CDHA’s Dental Hygienists’ Code of Ethics
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association worked with a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert to assist with reviewing our Dental Hygienists’ Code of Ethics. The review ensures the revised version reflects current contemporary and best practices and inclusive language in keeping with our engagement in meeting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action.
Canada’s National Oral Health Research Strategy
Canada recently released its first-ever National Oral Health Research Strategy (NOHRS) at the Canadian Oral Health Summit. This strategy will inform governments, researchers, health care practitioners, the public, and others to focus on emerging priority issues and innovative methodological and technological approaches to address these issues. CDHA is proud to collaborate on this project with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and many other collaborators. The project was co-led by CDHA member and Dalhousie University’s School of Dental Hygiene Director, Dr. Leigha Rock.
Denmark
Education Reform
As part of the Danish government’s goal to strengthen the Danish society and labour market for the future, an education reform has been announced. Stakeholders and political parties will soon start the debate on the reform with the government. The goal of this reform in the perspective of the Danish Dental Hygienists is to prolong the education as Dental Hygienists and thereby prolong the bachelor degree program from the current 3 years. Other bachelor’s degree education programs (for example nurses and physiotherapists) have a length of their education of 3 years and 6 months in Denmark. The government has announced that they will cut away 3 months from their education programs. Our goal is to get the Dental Hygienist Education Program to have the same length (3 years and 3 months), as other bachelor degree programs.
Elisabeth Gregersen is Celebrating 25 Years as President
On the 6th of November 1999, the members of the Danish Dental Hygienist organization elected Elisabeth Gregersen as president of the organization. Elisabeth has been President ever since, and this great achievement will be celebrated on Friday the 8th of November 2024 at a reception in Copenhagen. The Danish Dental Hygienists would like to thank Elisabeth Gregersen for all her years as president, for all her great work and for all the goals she has achieved on behalf of the members of the organization.
Korea
A Successful 2024 National Leadership Workshop!
The Korean Dental Hygienists Association (KDHA), led by President Hwang Yoon-sook, recently hosted the 2024 National Leadership Workshop, bringing together board members from the central, city, and regional associations to discuss the future of the Dental Hygiene field and the association’s development. Approximately 100 representatives participated in the workshop, which included programs focused on organizational development and leadership skills enhancement, along with sharing updates on each association’s activities and initiatives. The event serves as a vital forum to gather insights on operational practices from city and regional associations and to collaborate with the central office on strategic development goals.
Raising Awareness of Dental Hygienists
KDHA is actively engaging in social initiatives aimed at raising awareness of Dental Hygienists and enhancing public knowledge about Oral Health. The association has produced and uploaded a series of promotional videos on its YouTube channel, highlighting the roles of Dental Hygienists, along with a viewer engagement event to encourage participation. Additionally, KDHA’s annual Oral Health Quiz “U Quiz on the KDHA” takes place both online and offline to promote knowledge about Oral Health. The offline events provide opportunities for the public to directly engage with Dental Hygienists and receive Oral Health education, showcasing the important role of Dental Hygienists in public health.