IFDH President's Report:

March 2026

Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA

Busy Building, Promoting & Representing IFDH

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
Steve Jobs

Can you believe it’s almost April? Where has the time gone?! In no time we’ll be headed to Milan for ISDH 2026! As we near the end of this term, I’m reminded of how much we’ve accomplished, the hard work we’ve done, and the changes we’ve championed. But we’re not finished yet! And you’ll see why in this edition of eNews.

February Board Meeting in Chicago

The IFDH Board met for its yearly in-person meeting in February. It was so wonderful to see each other in person - not on a computer screen, but actual live discussions! As you know, so much can be achieved when we’re working together face-to-face….and we certainly did accomplish much.

Along with the two-day Board meeting, we were also able to visit the ADHA headquarters. Their senior staff and President Lancette VanGuilder hosted us for a fun evening of sharing ideas and learning more about how we can move our profession - #Upward. Thank you to ADHA CEO Jennifer Hill and all her staff who made us feel so welcome!

After the Board meeting, Peter & I attended the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, one of the largest annual meetings in the US. With a big international presence and attendees, it was nice to interact with our many corporate supporters. They are all excited for ISDH 2026 in Milan!

And…. exciting news – look for a brand new IFDH exhibit booth to be unveiled at our International Symposium! We did some “window shopping” in Chicago and developed an idea to match our mission and goals. I think you will love it! #Upward!

Representing IFDH at WHO Webinar

It was a great privilege and honor to represent the IFDH at the recent WHO webinar on its newly released guideline, WHO Guideline on Environmentally Friendly and Less Invasive Oral Health Care for Preventing and Managing Dental Caries. I participated in a panel discussion to highlight how the IFDH and our member countries can help implement the guideline.

It’s exciting that prevention is paramount in achieving its goals! In fact, the wording states “This WHO guideline is grounded in the guiding principles of preventive strategies, promoting minimally invasive interventions, fostering open communication between patients and oral health care professionals, and the precautionary principle.”

Dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists and oral health therapists are at the forefront of promoting this care, and we are ready, willing and able to do so. You can access the guideline here Thank you, Dr Benoit Varenne and Gabriela Sardon Panta of the WHO for including us in this important work.

NEW: IFDH President Podcasts

Stay tuned for the new IFDH Presidential Podcasts! Plans are well underway for a series of 6 podcasts during 2026. The first 3 will be hosted by me and the final 3 will be hosted by incoming President Fouzieh Eliassy. The first 3 topics I will cover include:

Fluoride – Is It Relevant Anymore?
Why We Should Still Focus on Perio-Systemic Links
The Future of Online Resources & AI

Thank you to Colgate for their support of this new initiative!

White Papers for 2026-28

Our next series of White Papers for 2026-2028 is planned and started. Here are the excellent topics and authors:

Dental Anxiety by Linda Douglas
Community Outreach in Oral Health Education by Frances Robinson
Workforce Competency in the Future by Lancette VanGuilder
Hormonal Influence on the Oral Cavity by Juliette Reeves
Oral Health in a Crisis by Sharon Friedman Yaniv
Collaborative Practice/Multi-Disciplinary Care by Roisin McGrath

The White Paper series has been very well received and used by many as resources. All are available on the IFDH website. We are very appreciative to Haleon for their support of this important work!

NEW: Advocacy Advisory Committee

It’s now official – the IFDH Advocacy Advisory Committee has been formed and finalized. In the coming weeks a “meet & greet” online meeting will be planned so the committee can solidify its next steps. They will be ready to start their work in the Fall. A big THANK YOU to our initial committee members:

Rachael England (UK)
Matt Crespin (USA)
Corrie Jongbloed-Zoet (The Netherlands)
Yvonne Nyblom (Sweden)
Leon Bassi (UK)

This committee will work closely with the IFDH Board and staff to identify ways to advocate for our member countries and to promote oral health worldwide.

NEW: Fellowship Program to be Unveiled

To be introduced at our International Symposium in Milan, this recognition program will highlight the achievements of individual dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists and oral health therapists. You work hard for your patients; you’ve worked hard to accomplish so much – you deserve to be honored. An application process will be developed for those who wish to apply. Details will be unveiled in Milan.

Committee Spotlight – Awards Committee

The IFDH Awards Committee was newly formed during the 2024-2026 term. Thanks to our corporate partners & sponsors, IFDH has developed many different awards, and this committee was developed to be an impartial judging group. They are responsible for determining the winners of the Impact, Innovation, and Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Awards.

Committee members this term have included:

Committee Chair Tayyaba Fiaz (Canada).
Enrica Scagnetto (Italy)
Ellen Bol (The Netherlands)
Elaine Johnson (South Africa)
Wanda Fedora (Canada)
Wendy Stewart (Canada)
President Elect Fouzieh Eliassy is the Board Liaison,

Tayyaba has been an excellent Chair and states, “Chairing the IFDH Awards Committee has been a truly rewarding experience. Together, we developed a thoughtful, fair, and transparent evaluation process that meaningfully recognizes excellence across our global dental hygiene community. I am especially proud of the strong collaboration, professionalism, and shared dedication within the committee, which has not only enhanced this year’s program but also created a solid and lasting foundation for future awards.” Many thanks to Tayyaba & the entire committee.

Onward and #UPWARD!!!!!

Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA
IFDH President, 2024-2026