An interview with IFDH president

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 25. May 2026

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The International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH) 2026, taking place in Milan in Italy on 9–11 July, will bring together dental hygienists, researchers and oral health professionals from around the world to discuss the latest developments in prevention, education and patient care. Organised under the theme “Oral health and general health: Prevention & progress”, the event will highlight the growing role of dental hygienists within wider healthcare systems. In this interview, the president of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), Jill Rethman, speaks about the focus and significance of the event and shares her vision for the future of patient care.

IFDH President Jill Rethman sees the upcoming ISDH symposium as an important professional and educational opportunity for dental hygienists. (Image: Jill Rethman)

Why is the ISDH 2026 theme especially relevant for dental hygienists today?
The dental hygiene profession has evolved to include not only the promotion of oral health but the promotion of overall health as well. We have known for many years that the mouth is indeed connected to the body—in other words, oral health impacts total well-being. As the prevention professionals in oral healthcare, dental hygienists are trained in and capable of educating patients regarding this whole-body approach to health and how what happens in the mouth can affect the entire body. While the majority of dental hygienists work in clinical practice alongside a dentist, there are other avenues that dental hygienists can pursue to promote whole-body wellness. For example, dental hygienists work in hospital settings to help patients in ICU wards prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia. Dental hygienists work alongside endocrinologists and diabetes specialists to ensure that the oral health of these patients is optimal, as we know there is a strong bidirectional relationship between diabetes and poor oral health. Dental hygienists work as researchers and educators in various disciplines of healthcare, so their expertise is extremely valuable in those areas. Our training and experience provides a wealth of knowledge for us to collaborate with colleagues across the healthcare spectrum with the ultimate goal of preventing disease.

I’d also like to mention our dental therapy colleagues who work with us to prevent and treat disease. Many of these individuals are also trained as dental hygienists, so prevention is part of their mindset and approach. We know that working together we can have an impact on patients’ lives in a very positive way and that progress happens through prevention.

The scientific programme will look at oral health across the whole life-course, from pregnancy to older age. What do you hope attendees will take away from this broader, age-specific approach?
Each stage of life presents specific health challenges. For example, the health difficulties faced by young children are different from those faced by the elderly. That said, there are common aspects of prevention and care that are paramount throughout life, but we can tailor how we discuss those concepts for each life stage. When focusing on nutrition, educating parents regarding the pitfalls of sugar in fruit juices, for example, is a bit different from educating older adults on the pitfalls of sugar in processed foods. The message is the same: be aware of the impact that sugar has on your oral and overall health. But the way the message is delivered to each audience is geared towards their specific needs. With that in mind, the hope is that attendees will more fully understand this concept of a tailored message and that they will be better prepared to educate and care for all patients throughout life. Think how much disease could be prevented and how impactful it could be to have a continuum of care throughout life!

Patient motivation is one of your key areas of expertise. What role will behaviour change and patient communication play in advancing the symposium’s focus on prevention and progress?
This is a huge aspect of everything we do! Behaviour change and communication are what make the magic happen, so to speak. We know from our own experience and scientific research that what patients do after they leave the treatment room is what will ensure success. If they follow through with the advice and recommendations provided by the oral healthcare professional, their chances of achieving health are increased. There will be several oral and poster presentations at the symposium that will explain the latest concepts in behaviour change and patient motivation, and the approach used to communicate and motivate will vary based on an individual’s life stage and social conditions.

I’d also like to mention that the IFDH has published a series of white papers, and the latest paper discusses the topic of behaviour change. This particular paper is an excellent guide on how to use concepts like motivational interviewing to best promote the oral health message.

The symposium will bring together oral health professionals from around the world. What do you hope that this international exchange will contribute to the future of dental hygiene?
While we hope that the symposium will elevate the knowledge of our dental hygiene and dental therapy colleagues, the ultimate goal is to enhance the care and health of patients. We want the future to be free of preventable oral disease. According to the World Health Organization, it’s astounding that in 2026 nearly 3.5 billion people in the world are affected by oral disease.

“Behaviour change and communication are what make the magic happen.”

That’s about 45% of the world’s population! The only way to positively influence these horrible statistics is by working together. Everyone in healthcare has an important role, and this applies to oral healthcare as well. Dental hygienists and dental therapists don’t work in a vacuum; they work alongside dentists and other healthcare providers. Our silo system where we don’t look outside the four walls of our respective professions needs to end. Progress is being made, but we still have much work to do. That will be a strong message at the symposium in Milan.

As president of the IFDH and someone who has worked in the profession for more than 40 years, what overall message would you like to share with dental hygienists considering attending ISDH 2026?
Forty years goes by very quickly! Don’t hesitate to make a difference in your corner of the world. The 2026 symposium will inspire you, enhance your knowledge, focus your attention on the challenges ahead, ignite renewed professional purpose and reaffirm the reasons you became an oral healthcare professional. Along with all the outstanding educational presentations, there will be opportunities to network with colleagues and company representatives and to celebrate our professions with an unforgettable gala dinner. I am so grateful to our corporate partners, who have made it possible to present this extraordinary event in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. The buzzword I’ve used for the past two years is “upward”. That sense of propelling ourselves beyond where we have been will be palpable throughout the congress. We control our own destiny, and we determine how much further we can climb. I’m hoping to see many of your readers there so that I can greet all of you and share the sense of accomplishment and pride we feel for our work. Thanks for this opportunity. Ci vediamo a Milano!