IFDH eNews: May-June 2025
Member News
Australia
First OHAA National Congress
On the 12th of March, we were thrilled to announce the opening of our very first Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) National Congress 2025. Having previously announced the vote of ADOHTA and DHAA members to establish one new professional association (OHAA), the opening of our Congress has seen an abundance of enthusiasm and support from practitioners, academics and industry stakeholders and we continue to ride the waves of this momentum with wholehearted appreciation. The OHAA National Congress 2025 is set to take place on the glittering Gold Coast during Spring, which sets the stage perfectly for our congress theme ‘Opening Horizons Across Australia’
Canada
New Periodontitis Resource
Maintaining good oral health is essential for the prevention and management of periodontitis. When discussing periodontitis with patients, dental hygienists may need to answer questions such as: What is periodontitis? What are its signs and symptoms? What causes it? How can it be treated? Answers to these questions and more are shared in CDHA’s latest resource release. Download in English or French. And since periodontitis usually begins with gingivitis, consider downloading our gingivitis resource in English or French as well.
Watch Episodes of CJDH Between the Lines
To increase knowledge translation of evidence-informed dental hygiene research, The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH) recently launched a video podcast series CJDH Between the Lines. Each 15-minute episode features the journal’s scientific editor, Dr. Salme Lavigne, in engaging conversation with the lead author of a recently published article. All interviews are in English, with closed captioning in French. There are currently four episodes in our library covering the topics of oral lesions, pre and probiotics, treatment of transgender patients and myofunctional therapy. Access them all HERE
Denmark
Record-High Shortage of Dental Hygienists in Denmark
Denmark has a huge shortage of Dental Hygienists. Every quarter of the year, numbers on unsuccessful recruitment attempts are published the Danish Ministry of Employment. The latest figures published in the first quarter of 2025 show that when dental clinics are applying for a Dental Hygienist, 58 percent of the time the recruitment is unsuccessful. This calls for many more students to be admitted to the Dental Hygienist Education. For now only 151 students in total are admitted each year. The Danish Dental Hygienists are working on getting political support for at least 80 more places each year with the full support of the University of Southern Denmark and the employer organization the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
OK25 – New Collective Agreement
In late March, the Danish Dental Hygienists negotiated a new collective agreement with the Dentist Association covering Dental Hygienists’ work in private dental clinics owned by dentists. This agreement covers the next three years, if the members on both sides vote ‘yes’ to the agreement. Better wages, better pension and paternal leave were among the topics that were discussed and agreed upon.
Korea
Efforts to Strengthen Professionalism and Public Role of the Dental Hygiene Field
The Korean Dental Hygienists Association (KDHA) held a policy meeting with National Assembly Member Namhee Kim, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee, to discuss key issues in the field of dental hygiene. During the meeting, the two parties shared and exchanged ideas on major policy topics such as the expansion of oral health care services for the elderly, the promotion of public health programs, and the establishment of an employment support center for Dental Hygienists. KDHA plans to continue its efforts to strengthen the professionalism and public service of Dental Hygienists and to establish a solid policy foundation for improving the nation's oral health. Pictured, left to right - Presidents of KDHA Yoonsook Hwang, National Assembly Member Namhee Kim, KDHA Vice President Jeongran Park.
"K-Smile Care": A Preventive Oral Health Model for Korea’s Super-Aged Society
In response to Korea’s transition into a super-aged society and the growing emphasis on quality of life in long-term care, the Korean Dental Hygienists Association (KDHA) launched a new initiative called K-Smile Care, highlighting the importance of oral care in preventing systemic diseases. K-Smile Care is a home-visit oral health program in which specially trained Dental Hygienists provide systematic care services in collaboration with long-term care institutions. The program focuses on preventing aspiration pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic illnesses that may result from poor oral hygiene. It is carried out by Dental Hygienists who have completed specialized training in geriatric and special needs oral care. In 2024, the program was successfully piloted at three long-term care institutions. KDHA laid the groundwork for this initiative in 2023 by launching the “Specialized Dental Hygienist Training Program” and conducting pilot projects in partnership with day care centers. So far, approximately 120 Dental Hygienists have been trained through four sessions. In 2025, KDHA plans to train an additional 90 Dental hygienists through three more sessions and, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, expand the program beyond institutions to include community-based home oral care services. This initiative reflects the long-term vision pursued by KDHA’s 19th Executive Board (President Yoon-Sook Hwang) and marks a significant step toward building an integrated oral care model for an aging society.
South Africa
First OHASA CPD Full Day Event for 2025
The OHASA Western Cape Seminar held on April 12th in Cape Town, South Africa offered a comprehensive program for oral health professionals, providing 5 clinical and 1 ethical CEUs. The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Dr. Dirk Smit, who presented on "Access to basic oral health care in the Western Cape and the link to Quality of Life," and Dr. Yash Naidoo, who discussed "Ethical considerations on Social media and the professional." Other sessions covered topics such as "Ensuring Optimal Facial Development in all Infants " by Janay Alexander, and "Paediatric Dental Emergencies & The Importance of Early Intervention " by Dr. Julie Resnekov. Additionally, Prof. Haly Holmes presented on Periodontal Health Paradigm in the South African Context and ended off with a valuable talk on “The A-Team” presented by Dr. Martin Douglas-Jones. The seminar provided valuable insights and networking opportunities for attendees in the oral health community together with our loyal dental traders of the day.
USA
ADHA Reacts to Fluoridation Challenges
With the challenges put forth on the Dental Hygiene profession and the education community regarding water fluoridation and oral health prevention programs (through cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the U.S. in recent months, the ADHA has published a number of position statements, press releases, announcements, expanded advocacy efforts, resources, and staff, and issued interim policies that will be reviewed at the House of Delegates in June. The most recent position statement issued on April 17, in partnership with the IFDH, advocates for Dental Hygiene care to be delivered only by qualified professionals with proper education and licensure. Read more here.
States Sign on to Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact
Success in pursuing license portability across state lines continues with 12 states having signed onto the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. A new 2025 revision of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice sponsored by Crest+Oral-B launched in March and can be downloaded free here.
Hygienist Inspired Chairside Recruitment Initiative Launched
In March ADHA launched the Hygienist Inspired Chairside Recruitment Initiative with Delta Dental Foundation to improve access to care in underserved communities and increase diversity in the Dental Hygiene profession. Learn more here.