IFDH eNews: October 2025
PROGRAMS
Our 4th and 5th White Papers Published
Aging and Oral Health
This White Paper discusses the oral health of the aging population and offers recommendations for future action, highlighting the role of the Dental Hygienist. Dental Therapists, Oral Therapists and Oral Health Therapists can also benefit from the information provided.
Oral Health for Patients with Complex Medical Needs
Oral health professionals regularly treat patients with a wide range of health issues. This paper explores the association between complex health issues and oral health. Conditions such as diabetes, cancer, pneumonia, and cardiovascular diseases are discussed. Also addressed are the unique oral care needs of patients undergoing palliative care and those at the end of life.
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!
Impact Awards Presented
https://ifdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Canada-pic-at-ADHA-crop.jpg
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).
Winners were:
Small Associations
Belgium:
vzw Belgische Beroepsvereniging Voor Mondhygiënisten ‘BBM’
"Meet the Hygienist”
Medium Associations
The Netherlands:
Dutch Dental Hygienist Association (NVM)
“Preventative Oral Care: from aftercare to preventative care.”
Large Associations
Canada:
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)
“National Dental Hygienist Week”
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.
The World Dental Hygienist Awards program is the integration of two regional Awards of Distinction:
- Africa, Asia, Latin America & Oceania: July 15th, 2025 (will open April 15th)
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.
- Watch our video on IFDH Social Responsibility and your project
- We’ve Got Tips & Tools to Help You Get Started