Surveys

We have assembled a number of resources for dental hygiene professionals as well as those concerned about their dental and oral health.

IFDH 2024 Survey #9: Orthodontic Hygiene

The IFDH is fielding its ninth survey. This survey will help us better understand global dental hygienists’ practices around orthodontic hygiene.

We encourage you to complete this simple, anonymous survey by Friday, April 26, 2024It only takes a few minutes. 

Click here to take the survey.

 We thank P&G for their support of this program. As with the other surveys, a summary of results will be jointly developed by IFDH and P&G and will be posted on this page.  Also consistent with previous surveys, no personal information is collected.  By taking the survey, respondents consent to have their anonymous responses used for these purposes.

WHITE PAPER: Evidence-Based Self-Care Recommendations Matter:
Findings from IFDH Global Surveys

The IFDH is excited to share this White Paper on Evidence-Based Self-Care Recommendations.

This valuable resource identifies opportunities and strategies for dental hygienists to make even more impactful evidence-based preventive self-care recommendations based on findings from global IFDH surveys.
These actions will help:

  • Improve patients’ periodontal health;
  • Positively impact patients’ well-being; and
  • Contribute towards sustainable dentistry.

The White Paper is globally relevant given the prevalence of periodontal diseases and their detrimental effects on your patients’ oral health and well-being. The disease burden also has economic and environmental costs to society. In light of these consequences, the World Health Organization and other groups have called for oral health professionals to focus on delivering evidence-based preventive care, which includes instructing patients on effective self-care practices. Dental hygienists are oral health professionals specializing in health promotion and disease prevention, presenting a unique opportunity for dental hygienists to respond to these calls for action. This White Paper is a valuable educational tool to help your members achieve these goals.

The IFDH thanks Procter & Gamble (Crest Oral-B) for sponsoring the surveys and White Paper.

Click here for a pdf of this White Paper

IFDH 2023 Survey #8: Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices

oral health practices

The IFDH has completed its eighth survey of its members. This survey helps to better understand global Dental Hygienists’ Oral Hygiene Instruction Practices.

We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2022 Survey #7: Sustainability in Dentistry

The IFDH has completed its seventh survey of its members. This survey helps to better understand global Dental Hygienists’ practices regarding sustainability.

We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2022 Survey #6: Elderly Patients

The IFDH has completed its sixth survey of its members. This survey helps to better understand global Dental Hygienists’ practices regarding elderly patients.

We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2021 Survey #5: Pediatric Patients

The IFDH has completed its fifth survey of its members. This survey helps to better understand global Dental Hygienists’ practices regarding pediatric patients.

We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2021 Survey #4: The Oral-Systemic Link

The IFDH has recently completed a survey of its members to explore dental hygienists’ knowledge and practices regarding the link between oral and overall health. This was the 4th in a series or surveys to help identify opportunities for future educational programs.

We thank P&G for their support of this program.

Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2020 Survey #3: Electric Toothbrushes

The IFDH has recently completed a survey of its members to better understand global Dental Hygienists’ recommendation practices and information resources for electric toothbrushes.

This is the third of our survey series through the end of 2020, which will provide insights to help us identify opportunities for educational programs.

We thank P&G for their support of this program. Click here for a summary of the results.

IFDH 2020 Survey #2: IFDH 2020 COVID-19 Survey Summary

Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists

The IFDH has recently completed a survey of its members to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on global Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists and how we can best meet their needs.

Click here for a summary and the results from almost 10,000 participants.

Click here for IFDH COVID Survey quoted in NY Times

This is the second of our survey series that will run through the end of 2020 (approximately one survey every 6 months), which will provide insights to help us identify opportunities for educational programs. We thank P&G for their support of this program.

IFDH 2019 Survey #1: IFDH 2019 Toothpaste Survey Summary

The IFDH recently fielded the first in its survey series to explore dental hygienists’ knowledge about fluoride dentifrices, including resources used for decision-making when providing recommendations to their patients. Survey results will identify common information sources and knowledge gaps across regions to guide future educational programs.

We thank P&G for their support of this program. Click here for more information.

Oral Health and Other Resources

What is a Dental Hygienist?
Download the leaflet for your patients, practice and professional colleagues.

Dental Hygiene Research Toolkit
Developed by the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice.

Educator’s Guide for Teaching Research
Developed by the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice.