ISDH puts dental hygienists at the centre of oral health

Since its inception in Oslo in Norway, in 1986, ISDH has grown in prominence. The 2019 symposium in Brisbane in Australia attracted about 1,200 participants from more than 35 countries. In 2022, almost 800 participants from 40 countries attended the event in Dublin in Ireland—at which the 35^th anniversary of the IFDH in 2021 was celebrated.

The 2024 edition, hosted in partnership with the Korean Dental Hygienists Association, marks the 14^th symposium. The organising committee has worked tirelessly to ensure a warm welcome for the dental hygienists expected from over 30 countries who will be participating in the three days of intensive academic sessions at the COEX conference and exhibition centre.

According to the IFDH, this year’s call for abstracts was met with enthusiasm, yielding over 250 submissions. Eighteen distinguished speakers from seven countries were invited, and the symposium features two plenary lectures. The first plenary speaker, Dr JoAnn Gurenlian, the director of education, research and advocacy for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, will outline the transformative role of dental hygienists in both oral and general health, positioning them as key collaborators with patients and other healthcare professionals to foster preventive care and integrate oral health into broader healthcare. Her presentation will highlight the importance of leveraging the latest research, technology and innovative approaches to empower dental hygienists, advocating for inclusivity and equality in providing comprehensive oral health services to all individuals.

In her plenary address, Prof. Nam-Hee Kim of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Yonsei University in South Korea will explore the application of behavioural economics to dental hygiene, aiming to redesign oral health interventions to encourage long-term behavioural change. Her lecture will focus on understanding why people often fail to maintain healthy behaviours and how dental hygienists can use insights from behavioural economics to develop effective, sustainable interventions that bridge the gap between knowledge and action in oral health.

ISDH 2024 focuses on four central themes: collaboration, optimisation, reimagination and equality (CORE). The event will cover topics related to collaboration and communication with patients, colleagues and other professionals in fulfilling the dental hygienist’s role in improving public oral health. Additionally, discussions will address how dental hygienists can achieve optimal job performance by enhancing their capabilities. It will also explore innovation and new technologies in dental hygiene, including research, education and clinical aspects. Finally, the conference will highlight special treatments, oral health services and public oral health policies needed for vulnerable populations such as infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Beyond the scientific programme, a diverse social agenda provides ample opportunities for networking, such as the welcome reception on Thursday night and the gala dinner on Friday night.

For more details about the programme and speakers, please visit www.isdh2024.com.

The next ISDH will take place in Milan in Italy from 9 to 11 July 2026.