JoAnn Gurenlian is the Director of Education, Research, & Advocacy for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). Prior to joining the ADHA, Dr. Gurenlian served as Professor and Graduate Program Director for the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University and is Professor Emerita. She is a Fellow in the ADHA and an Affiliate Academic Fellow in the American Academy of Oral Medicine, Past President of the IFDH and the ADHA, and Consultant to the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Dr. Gurenlian is the co-author of the textbook “Preventing Medical Emergencies” and author of over 350 papers in dental hygiene, dental and medical publications. She has conducted over 650 presentations at regional, national, and international events.

Dr. Gurenlian has served as Chair of the ADHA Task Force on Return to Work and more recently was a member of the ADA Expert Panel for the evaluation of potential malignant disorders of the oral cavity.

Dr. Gurenlian is the recipient of numerous awards including the IADR Oral Health Research Group 25th Oral Health Research Award, ADHA Presidential Citation, Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award, Alfred C. Fones Award, Irene Newman Award, ADHA/Warner Lambert Award for Excellence, and the ADHA Distinguished Service Award. In the dynamic landscape of oral health, dental hygienists have emerged as the driving force, playing a pivotal role in not only oral health but also contributing significantly to overall well-being. This presentation aims to shed light on how dental hygienists can be positioned at the center of a transformative movement, breaking free from archaic concepts of what dental hygiene has been and creating a paradigm shift in oral healthcare.

We will explore how dental hygienists are no longer mere implementers of procedures; they are partners in health, collaborating with patients and other healthcare professionals. By fostering strong patient relationships, dental hygienists become advocates for preventive care, emphasizing patient education and engagement. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, they seamlessly integrate oral health into the broader spectrum of general health, recognizing the interconnectedness of the two.

The optimization of dental hygienists' capabilities is the key to unlocking their full potential. By staying abreast of the latest research and innovations, dental hygienists can maximize their impact in clinical care. This section of the presentation explores how empowering dental hygienists with advanced tools and knowledge enables them to deliver unparalleled care.

Innovation is the driving force behind the reimagined role of dental hygienists. By embracing a forward-thinking mindset, dental hygienists can become catalysts for change, pushing the boundaries of traditional education and practice and embracing novel approaches to career pathways and improving patient outcomes. Lastly, this presentation will emphasize the commitment of dental hygienists to equality. Their role extends beyond individual patients to address the diverse needs of all groups ensuring that oral health is a right for everyone.

This presentation envisions a future where dental hygienists are not only leaders in oral health but also trailblazers transcending conventional boundaries, laying the foundation for a profession that is shaping the future of healthcare. 1. Appreciate the pivotal role dental hygienists play in collaboration and the need to develop skills to establish strong partnerships with both patients and other healthcare professionals.
2. Explore effective communication strategies to engage and educate patients, becoming advocates for preventive oral and general health.
3. Recognize the value of using the latest advancements in dental hygiene research, technology, and education, to optimize clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
4. Think creatively and reimagine their roles, fostering a mindset of adaptability and forward-thinking to drive positive change in the profession.
5. Promote inclusivity and accessibility in all dental hygiene settings, ensuring that their services address the unique requirements of all individuals, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.

Anna Pattison received her BS degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Southern California and her MS in Dental Hygiene from Columbia University. She was an Associate Professor for over forty years and Chair of Dental Hygiene at USC School of Dentistry.

She was co-author of Periodontal Instrumentation which was translated into six languages and was widely used in the U.S. and throughout the world. She has contributed to Newman and Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology, the most widely used periodontology textbook in the world and to Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. These textbooks have established Anna Pattison as one of the world’s leading experts in the field of periodontal instrumentation.

An internationally recognized speaker on Advanced Periodontal Instrumentation, she has been a featured speaker for the Annual Sessions of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, American Dental Hygienists Association, Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, Canadian Academy of Periodontology and forty state dental hygienists’ associations, as well as for national associations and universities in Europe, Australia and Asia.

Anna was Editor-in-Chief of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene and is now Co-Director of the Pattison Institute which offers periodontal instrumentation lectures, online videos and hands-on courses in the U.S. and abroad.
The non-surgical treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis is a significant challenge for all clinicians. Detecting and removing tenacious or burnished calculus is one of the most frustrating and challenging tasks we face. Effective root instrumentation requires knowledge of new evidence about the microscopic structure of tenacious subgingival calculus and its attachment to the root. This course emphasizes the importance of thorough subgingival calculus removal and the means to achieve it using the newest hand instruments and ultrasonic tips.

Anna Pattison will discuss the most common errors that cause incomplete calculus removal. Periodontal endoscopy videos will show the effectiveness of various ultrasonic and hand instruments.
Recommendations for ideal hand and ultrasonic instrument selection based on this knowledge will be discussed along with ideas to reinvigorate your instrumentation techniques. Practical videos from the Pattison Institute will demonstrate how alternative positions and fulcrums can help you to avoid fatigue and improve effectiveness. Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1. Describe the structure of tenacious calculus and its attachment to the root.
2. Describe why residual or burnished calculus occurs and how to avoid it.
3. Discuss key concepts to thoroughly remove tenacious subgingival calculus.
4. Identify the best hand instruments, ultrasonic tips and advanced techniques for detection and removal of tenacious calculus.

Dr. Cassandra Holder Christiansen graduated with Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Dental Hygiene from Tennessee State University/ Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN; She earned a Masters of Public Administration degree from Memphis State University, as well as completed a Doctorate of Education from the University of Memphis. Cassandra has nearly 40 years’ experience in dentistry, which began as a high-school part-time job and has evolved into a lifetime vocation. She is dedicated to the prevention of oral diseases focusing on under-resourced populations.

Currently, Cassandra is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry. Her teaching responsibilities include Prevention & Patient Education, Administration of Local Anesthesia, and Dental Radiology.

In August 2019 she was appointed as the Director of School-based Programs and Outreach for the college. In this role she develops and coordinates service-learning opportunities for students in the College of Dentistry, across the state. Additionally, she has developed an interprofessional mentoring program which incorporates students form all the health science center programs serving as mentors for middle and high school students.

In December of 2022, Cassandra was recognized by the Memphis community and received the Health Hero award for community service. Additionally, she was recognized by the college in 2020 with the Dean’s Appreciation Award.

Cassandra is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the National Dental Hygienists’ Association, Sigma Phi Alpha, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She served on the ADHA, Council for Education and as a reviewer for the Journal of Dental Hygiene.

She has published various abstracts, articles, and a series of dental health manuals for West Virginia school teachers. Cassandra has spoke and presented numerous scientific posters at local and national conferences. In her spare time she serves as a dental consultant and provides continuing education in the area of Infection Control, Diversity in the Workplace, Dental Hygiene Practice Management, and Administration of Local Anesthesia. Service learning is a form of experiential learning where students engage in activities outside of the classroom that develop knowledge and critical thinking skills while addressing community needs. Some of the core values of service learning are:

Core Values :
Celebrate: Diversity, Growth, Innovation, Each Other
Cultivate: Kindness, Courage, Connections, Love of Learning
Prepare: Leaders, Responsible Citizens, Lifelong Learners, Agents of Change

common terms associated with service learning are civic engagement, community development, advocacy, philanthropy, social change, volunteerism, community service and experiential learning. This type of learning seems best suited for various areas of social science.

One might wonder how service-learning be implemented in dental and dental hygiene education, and does it have value for the learner?

This presentation will demonstrate that student dental professionals’ benefit from service learning in two major ways. On a social level students become more aware and invested in their communities, so they understand its needs and challenges, especially for residents of under resourced communities. Secondly, they have an opportunity to engage with individuals where they live, work, or play. This provides an opportunity for the learner to consider how social determinants of health impact the patients that they treat.

• It is critical that the student reflect on their participation in the activity. It is helpful for them to consider these questions:
• What did you learn about the topic?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• How do you now think differently?

Through service learning, students:

• Learn more about their relationship with the communities they engage with.
• Learn more about their capacity for serving others.
• Refine their decision-making abilities.
• Better understand the meaning of responsible citizenship
• Grow in their awareness of cultural differences. 1. Understand the concept of Service Learning
2. Appreciate how service learning connects to the social determinants of health.
3. Discover how service learning can be implanted in dental and dental hygiene education.

Dr. Julie Satur has an international reputation for leading research and education in the oral health field with a current appointment as Professor of Oral Health at the Melbourne Dental School, Director of Engagement and Indigenous Programs. She is a registered dental therapist, with post graduate studies in health promotion, health policy and regulation. Julie has led Oral Health Therapy (dental hygiene/therapy) discipline under and post graduate education, accreditation and research preparation programs for over 20 years and is research active in oral health inequalities, health promotion, intersectoral partnerships and oral health workforce. Her recent research has included dental graduates’ preparedness for practice, motivational interviewing, oral health in the mental health sector and Indigenous oral health and cultural safety. She is currently leading Indigenous oral health partnerships and research in East Arnhem Land and Victoria and cultural safety curriculum for Australia’s dental schools. Julie has been active over many years in her professional association and is editor of the ANZ Journal of Dental and Oral Health Therapy. She has also made significant contributions to regulation and public oral health policy for Australian State and Commonwealth governments and more recently, in the USA around dental therapy practice. Internationally there are widening disparities in oral health related to social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants of health. There is a very strong and consistent association between socioeconomic status (income, occupation and educational level) and the prevalence and severity of oral diseases (WHO 2023). When these are overlaid with cultural dislocation and the outcomes of poverty and inequality, oral health outcomes are poor. For many populations, including in Australia, Canada the US, and UK, considerable social disadvantage and inequity in oral health occurs in Indigenous and culturally dislocated peoples.

There is an important challenge for health practitioners to work beyond the biomedical and consider the impact of the intersectional impacts on oral health. While environmental conditions and funding for dental care is a challenge for governments and economies, enabling prevention and effective health promotion remains the challenge for practitioners. Considering how social conditions affect equity in oral health and access to care for the people we work with acts as a lens for person-centred care. We need to ask ourselves, how often we are successful in improving oral health with our clients- particularly for those who have different social and cultural backgrounds to our own?

There is an emerging discourse around social responsibility and equity, cultural competence and cultural safety and the obligations of educators, regulators and practitioners. Cultural Safety requires that we consider how our social power as health professionals positions us in ways that may present barriers to access and oral health. Using a cultural safety framework helps us to consider social history, hierarchies, and the impact of cultural dislocation and poverty on oral health and offers competencies that can be applied in our work. This presentation will draw on these frameworks to inform our practice with disadvantaged people to contribute to equity in oral health. 1. To consider the impact of social and cultural determinants on equity in oral health
2. To understand how the concepts of social power and cultural safety can be used to address inequity
3. To apply these concepts to our interactions and practice in preventing disease and promoting oral health

Dr Nicole Stormon is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and Oral health therapist. The inaugural Program Convenor for the School of Dentistry's Doctor of Dental Medicine. She is also the Principal Research Fellow for Queensland Health Metro North Community and Oral Health. She is the Immediate-Past President of the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (ADOHTA Ltd).

She has publications in high quality journals, numerous conference presentation and research collaborations. Health service research is a central theme of her research, developing evidence-based and cost-effective models of dental care. She has extensive experience in the analysis of complex quantitative health service data and large longitudinal cohort studies. Translating evidence into practice can be challenging, however her research aims to implement innovations and generate new knowledge to better patients’ oral health outcomes. Being a clinician herself and her effective collaborations to the health service are key to bridging the knowledge-implementation gap.

Dr. Nicole Stormon is an internationally recognised and awarded leader and advocate in Oral Health Therapy. She represents the oral health workforce and applies expertise, leadership and governance skills. As an advocate for oral health, she has consulted on several national oral health policy issues. As a leader and advocate for her profession, saw through the recognition and implementation of oral health professionals in Australia. “Oral health practitioners” are a unique group of oral healthcare providers that have varying titles and scopes of practice across the globe. Oral health practitioners have a shared purpose of delivering preventive oral healthcare. Oral diseases remain highly prevalent in the population despite these professions practicing prevention for over a century. This presentation explores how oral health practitioners can effectively address the diverse needs of populations affected by oral diseases.

Understanding the historical context, current characteristics, and future trajectories of the Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist workforces can help inform workforce planning and meeting the oral health needs of populations. The Australian Oral health workforce studies conducted in 2020 and 2023 provide a national picture of well utilized professions. The principal place of employment for Hygienists, Therapists and Oral Health Therapists were telling of the historical context to the occupations in private and community-based practice. Oral health therapists are projected to be the primary Oral health practitioner in Australia with no Dental Therapists being trained, and few Dental Hygienist graduates.

By breaking life course trajectories through targeted prevention strategies, Oral health practitioners can contribute significantly to overall health and well-being. This presentation will explain the prevalence and burden of oral disease in the global context and life course trajectories. A life course trajectory in oral health refers to the pattern and progression of an individual's oral health experiences and outcomes over the course of their life. It encompasses the continuum of oral health from early childhood through adolescence, adulthood, and into older age. Emphasizing prevention as a cornerstone, we explore how practitioners can proactively address the diverse oral health needs of populations, breaking life course trajectories and ushering in a new era of resilient, empathetic, and forward-thinking oral health professionals. 1. Appreciate the diverse group of Oral health practitioners, including Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists, and their shared commitment to preventive oral healthcare.
2. Appreciate the historical context, current characteristics, and future trajectories of Oral health workforces.
3. Analyze the prevalence and burden of oral diseases on a global scale.
4. Learn practical skills in implementing targeted prevention strategies as oral health practitioners, recognizing their role in breaking life course trajectories of oral diseases.

Speaker Name & Post-nominals
Claire McCarthy MA HPE (UoL), RDH (TDC), RDN, FAETC, CERT ED, PGCE, FHEA, FCGDent.

Speaker Affiliations & Positions
Clinical Research Fellow & Clinical Teacher Periodontology Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Kings College London, UK.
Visiting Professor & Adjunct Instructor, Ashman Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, US.
Honorary Clinical Fellow, Guys & St Thomas NHS Trust, Guys Hospital, London Bridge, London, UK.

Biography
Claire graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2000, completed a master’s degree in higher education (2007) and is a fellow of the higher education academy. Claire teaches all aspects of non-surgical periodontal and peri-implant therapy at undergraduate and postgraduate level since 2003 and is former head of the dental BDS year 2 periodontology program at KCL. She is contributing author of two textbooks, treats patients in private practice, is co-PI on several research projects, runs hands on instrumentation courses worldwide, and is completing a PhD in clinical dentistry. She has served on executive council of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (2022,2023), was elected Dental Care Professional (DCP) representative at the British Society of Periodontology in 2018 and is chair of the accreditation committee for the Irish Dental Council. In 2020, she won the Robin Davies Colgate research award for her work on decontamination of dental implant surfaces. More recently, Claire has been awarded a Fellowship of the College of General Dental Practitioners by election in recognition of her contribution to the profession, fulfilling the academic, research, clinical and leadership requirements of the college. Non-surgical therapy is the cornerstone of periodontal treatment, and the mainstay of clinical Dental Hygiene. Methods and principles of instrumentation have evolved over the years, with a gradual shift towards a less invasive, atraumatic instrumentation technique facilitated by modern, specialised, and site-specific equipment.

In addition, how we deliver non-surgical therapy today is heavily grounded in our understanding of the etiology of periodontal disease and the regeneration process. A minimally invasive approach has long been adopted in medicine, and in restorative dentistry, as well as in periodontal surgery. More recently, a minimally invasive technique for non-surgical treatment emerged in the literature, and it is now embedded into many post-graduate programs, yet the concept is still in its infancy within the field of dental hygiene.

Minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST) encompasses a philosophy of preservation and a precise method of root surface instrumentation. The MINST approach has a significant body of research and long term follow up data that demonstrates considerable clinical and radiographic improvements can be achieved in advanced defects using non-surgical therapy alone.

This session is designed to introduce the modern concept of minimally invasive non-surgical therapy, MINST, as it applies to the profession of dental hygiene. 1. Explain the rationale and philosophy of minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST) and how it applies to clinical dental hygiene.
2. Summarize the current literature and evidence specific to MINST.
3. Discuss the clinical considerations practical techniques to facilitate the MINST approach.
4. Describe the MINST step-by-step protocol to promote papilla preservation, accelerate healing and facilitate periodontal regeneration.

Degree in foreign languages
Dental hygienist and doctor Master's Degree in Healthcare Professional

AIDI member ,Treasurer

2011 Director of Prevention and Dental Assistance – Elsevier - Mi

2012 - 2020 Professor Dental Hygienists and Master's Degree in Healthcare Professional . UniMilano

2012-2020- Project manager for student’s internship in Assisting Living
2014 -2016 Conducts epidemiological survey: “Edentulism in Assisting Living elderly” commissioned by WHO Italy

Teacher at accredited Dental assistant schools

He works as a freelancer

Speaker at more than 150 courses, conferences, webinars
Whitening Course for dentists and hygienists, “Theoretical/Practical, repeated 124 times
2017 Speaker at the ORCA International Congress - Oslo
2019 IFDH AUSTRALIA Congress, BRISBANE: submits and won Milano's candidacy to 2026 H.O.D congress

2002 Editor of 4 volumes for Dental Hygienists -Masson

Co-author of the volume ""Assistance in orthodontics"" . Masson

2006: Editor “Dental Practice Assistant Manual”-Masson . Second edition 2019-Edra Mi

2009: project ""The dental hygienist in the field of public health"" - Dental Prevention and As-sistance - Masson -
2011: monograph co-author “Home and professional whitening compared. Dental Cadmos-MI
2013: editor with Abbinante of ""Oral Hygienist-Theory and professional practice"" - Edra-MI- Second edition 2023
2020: co-author of ""Infections in the dental practice"" - Edra -Mi The endometriosis is a chronic benign inflammatory disease that affect the female genital organs, in which the functional endometrium tissue is present in position other than the physiological inner lining of the uterus. Some studies show a common pathogenesis between periodontal disease and endometriosis, due to altered levels immunomodulators level .

Purpose of this work was evaluating the possible correlations between endometriosis and periodontal diseases, the role of nutrition, the importance of pelvic cavities physiotherapy and the impact on life quality. The research involved dental hygienists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dentists, gynecologists.

Specific objective: Developing a specific clinical indications based on the analysis of the collected data and creating a supportive interprofessional network, to validate the correlations between the endometriosis and oral cavity diseases

Target: 4079 Women affected by endometriosis, between 15 - 45 years recruited from dedicated communities on Facebook

Materials and Methodology : A survey has been conducted thanks to a questionnaire composed of 45 questions, about: endometriosis status, kind of therapy, presence of any sign and symptoms in oral cavity, presence of periodontal problems, self-perception of the oral health status, presence of other autoimmune diseases and oral hygiene, eating habits, physical activity practiced, life quality. The study and their data was conducted from April to June 2022 . Work is in progress

Results: Data analysis showed that 45,9 % of the women received the diagnosis beyond the seventh year from the appearance of the correlated symptomatology and 49,7% present the stage IV. In the oral cavity 34,9% reported the coexistence of gingivitis, gingival bleeding, periodontitis, aphthous stomatitis, dry mouth not resolved and/or worsened because the underestimation of the correlation between symptoms reported and endometriosis. 1. Dental Hygenist can play an important role in preventive oral care in women affected by endometriosis, because the correlation between periodontal and oral deseases .Not only for the effects of pharmacological therapies but also due to altered levels of immunomodulators
2. The objective is to expand information among a greater number of the three million women, many of whom are unaware, regarding the prevention of oral pathologies
3. Establish a network with other medical professionals, including dentist and dental hygienist to avoid or reduce the ripercussions of the symptoms on the physical, mental and social well-being, therefore on the quality of life of these women
4. Improve the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Prof. Natsumi Fujiwara graduated from the Dental Hygienist School within the Faculty of Dentistry at Hiroshima University, earning her Dental Hygienist (RDH) qualification in 2003. She has contributed to dental hygiene practices, including the maintenance of periodontal disease and the care of patients with dental implants, both in a private dental clinic and Tokushima University Hospital.

Dr. Fujiwara obtained a master’s degree in Dentistry from Hiroshima University in 2009, followed by a PhD in Dentistry at Tokushima University in 2017. From 2019 to 2022, she served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences at Augusta University in the United States. Since she has gained extensive experience in the fields of oral microbiology and cell biology, her primary research focus is the association between Fusobacterium and the progression of oral cancer.

Since 2010, Dr. Fujiwara has been involved in dental hygiene education and research activities at Tokushima University, initially as an Assistant Professor and subsequently as a Professor starting in 2023. She currently serves as a member of the executive committee in the Japan Society of Dental Hygiene and is spearheading the launch of a platform to advance research activities within the field of dental hygiene in Japan. Given Japan's aging demographic, the importance of oral health care is escalating, playing a pivotal role in averting not only common dental issues but also systemic diseases like cancer, aspiration pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus. Our ongoing basic research aims at evidence-based oral hygiene practice, with recent data focusing on: i) the impact of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-polymer on Candida, and ii) the role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in oral cancer progression.
The MPC-polymer, mimicking a biomembrane with a phospholipid polar group, proves effective in reducing protein adsorption, bacterial adhesion, and inhibiting cell attachment. Treating denture acrylic resin with MPC-polymer suppressed C. albicans adherence, not solely through its antibacterial effect. F. nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic oral bacterium, commensal in the human oral cavity, plays a role in periodontal disease. Exposure of F. nucleatum to oral cancer cells stimulates cancer invasion. Our current focus involves exploring OSCC cell-secreted proteins contributing to F. nucleatum aggregation.
Additionally, we've developed an oral exercise program tailored for independent elderly individuals in Tokushima Prefecture. This initiative resulted in enhanced oral functions—increased tongue pressure, enhanced lip closing force, and reduced tongue thrusting. Participants also demonstrated improved oral health literacy.
In summary, our research underscores the vital link between oral health and overall well-being. Innovative approaches, such as MPC-polymer application and targeted oral exercise programs, hold significant promise for enhancing oral care practices and outcomes, especially within the aging population. 1. Awareness of oral health challenges in aging
2. Appreciation for evidence-based research
3. Understanding biomimetic materials
4. Contribution of oral bacteria to oral cancer progression

MHealthProm, Assoc.Dip. Dental Hygiene, TAE

Cathryn is a registered dental hygienist, who holds a Master of Health Promotion and has had a diverse career over 37 years in general practice, orthodontics, periodontics and special needs; practicing in Australia, Germany and New Zealand. Cathryn has extensive clinical knowledge and oral health promotion experience and has been a professional educator since 2006; working closely with universities to educate future dental professionals.

Cathryn’s been a member of the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA) since 1988. She is currently the Victorian State Chair and represents the DHAA on the Australian Dental Association Oral Health Committee. Cathryn served 10 years as National Coordinator for Oral Health for Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health. Cathryn is a Carevan Foundation Board Director and manages the ‘Sustainable Smiles’ project. She’s won multiple awards including the International Federation of Dental Hygienists & Global Child Dental Fund Social Responsibility Award and DHAA National Oral Health Award.

Cathryn authored the children’s books ‘Who is the Tooth Fairy’s best friend?” and “Pyjama Fairy & Friends”. She’s a member of the International Health Literacy Association and Australian Health Promotion Association. Cathryn’s a passionate advocate for oral health literacy, fluoride varnish programs and sustainability in oral health. Background
Globally 3.5 billion toothbrushes and 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes end up in landfill and our oceans every year; contributing to environmental pollution, with a devastating effect on our wildlife. Whilst dental caries still remains a global burden, leading to extensive restorative treatments which are resource intensive and increase greenhouse emissions.

Methods
The entire oral healthcare community, including the dental industry, recognise that we have a collective social responsibility to provide oral hygiene products and clinical care that improves oral health in a sustainable manner. A reduction of our carbon footprint in dentistry is achieved first and foremost through oral health promotion with a strong focus on prevention and recycling, resulting in fewer dental treatments and less oral care waste, which in turn reduces our environmental impact.

Results
Sustainable Smiles, launched in Australia in 2021, is a dental hygiene led, community-based oral care recycling program, which showcases oral health promotion through a sustainability lens. The program involves positive collaboration within the community and education sectors and can be implemented into dental practices. Sustainable Smiles empowers communities to ‘think green’ with their daily oral hygiene habits and encourages families to begin recycling their oral care waste. The program includes advocacy for school-based fluoride varnish programs, as a proactive approach to reducing dental caries, highlighting the importance of reduction via prevention.

Conclusion
Dental hygienists are the best placed members of the dental team to reimagine our oral healthcare journey. We can make a difference within the dental profession to initiate sustainable practices and in-turn help care for the environment by addressing the issue of global oral care waste. Hygienists can raise awareness and start the conversation about sustainability in oral health. Let’s make our planet smile... the future is in our hands. 1.Review the evidenced-based movement towards sustainable dentistry.
2.Raise awareness of the impact of oral care waste in the environment.
3.Learn how to engage schools, communities and patients in sustainable initiatives, including recycling oral care waste through TerraCycle.
4.Understand how to integrate sustainability into oral health promotion projects.

Vice President of Hygiene Support/Clinical Operations
Smile Brands

A dental hygienist with 36 years of experience within general and specialty practice, as well as educational and management settings, Filipiak has been in a DSO Clinical Leadership role for the past 19 years and is currently the Vice President of Hygiene Support/Clinical Operations for Smile Brands. She is a strategic partner within the organization to support execution of organizational initiatives in support of 600+ offices in 30 states.

A member of the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) since 1986, she served as President in 2017-18. She has been recognized for her leadership with numerous awards, including: ADHA’s Stand-Out Seven Award – Administrator, The J&J/ADHA Award for Dental Hygiene Excellence, a Presidential Citation from the ADHA in recognition of her leadership and vision, ADHA’s Professional Member Achievement Award, The Butler/RDH Healthy Gums Healthy Life Award of Distinction, and has also been recognized as one of “Six Dental Hygienists You Should Know” by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. In 2023 Filipiak was accepted as one of the inaugural members of the ADHA’s Professional Fellow program.

In addition to her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene, she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Quality. The importance of mental health and wellness has resulted in a growing awareness of
the many factors that impact wellness, as well as factors that can have a negative impact on
mental health and wellness. Dental Hygienists are essential health care providers who can
experience compassion fatigue as a cost of caring for others.
Review of current research and information related to burn out, workforce issues and
career satisfaction of dental hygienists will be reviewed. Also discussed, will be the
importance of partnering/collaborating with other health care providers/entities for
development of continued knowledge to influence change for the future with both patients
and providers.
This course will review important considerations for providers in developing healthy
coping strategies, as well as how to identify behaviors and discuss mental health
concerns with patients. The importance of communication, conflict management and how
to have crucial conversations will be discussed. 1. Upon completion of this session the participant will be able to identify high stress/
anxiety behaviors and factors that influence provider burn out
2. Upon completion of this session the participant will be able to identify mental/behavioral
factors with patients that can influence dental treatment
3. Upon completion of this session the participant will understand how to access
additional resources to support patients and colleagues

Professor Kim is a dental hygienist at the Department of Dental Hygiene at Yonsei University in South Korea. Her research interests span social epidemiology and oral health, the impact of dental insurance coverage, and health policy, with a particular focus on geriatric dental health issues such as oral frailty within the dental hygiene profession. Dr. Kim completed her master's and PhD courses at the Graduate School of Public Health and the Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry at Seoul National University. Professor Kim holds the position of Chair of the Social Dental Hygiene Committee within the Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science. She is also an editorial board member of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. Dr. Kim is deeply committed to advancing dental hygiene education and research, embodying a strong sense of social responsibility in her field. Her recent work has centered on the intersection of behavioral economics and dental hygiene, an interest that developed during her two-year tenure as a visiting scientist in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The field of public dental health primarily focuses on encouraging positive oral health behaviors, with dental hygienists taking the lead in both private dental clinics and community-based public sectors. In many countries, dental hygienists are recognized as the foremost educators for promoting changes in oral health behavior, thanks to their extensive knowledge and commitment to evidence-based practices.

However, insufficient evidence is available regarding whether changes in oral health behavior are sustainable over the long term. Oral health behavior change interventions have focused on short-term results, while neglecting the psychosocial and behavioral mechanisms of change by which people maintain oral health behaviors.

How can we explain the gap between knowledge and action in oral health, and how might we use that knowledge to improve and maintain oral health behaviors?

Behavioral economics and public health have recently emerged as a new paradigm for behavioral interventions designed to enhance population health outcomes and promote equality. This approach offers valuable insights into individuals’ decision-making processes and actions concerning their oral health. This presentation will shed light on the oral health interventions that are most effective in encouraging individuals to sustain healthy behaviors within their social context.

The information presented herein will help dental hygienists advance their competencies for their clients and encourage social responsibility for the population.
To narrow “know-how” and “know-do” gaps

1. Comprehend what behavioral economics adds to public oral health
2. Understand why people do not maintain healthy behavior despite their best intentions
3. Explain what we can do to reconcile behavioral interventions with changing oral health habits
4. Interpret why, after an intervention has ended, people revert back to existing habits
5. Distinguish between the compliers and non-compliers and use this to inform target-specific behavioral interventions
6. Leverage the interrelationship between behavioral economics, dental hygiene, and academia and promote the integration of these disciplines to redesign oral health interventions effectively.

Dr. Hyewon Lee is the Director of the Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Center of the Seoul National University and the Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Oral Health Workgroup. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist trained in the U.S., and her main career focus in research and policy development is integration of oral health into public health and primary care. In the past, she worked as an associate clinical professor at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and public health officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hyewon graduated from Harvard School of Dental medicine and completed her master and doctoral degree in public health policy and management from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In this session, I would like to 1) analyze current primary oral health workforce discussion based on three major WHO global oral health resources and 2) visualize current oral health workforce status, challenges, and opportunities based on the recent global survey on oral health workforce conducted by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)’ Oral Health Workgroup in collaboration with the International Federation of Dental Hygienists and the Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Center.
While the scope of practice, competencies, and training requirements of the oral health workforce vary considerably across the globe, what worries us is the inequality of the availability of the oral health workforce tightly related to global oral health inequality. Less than 2% of dentists and 0.3% of all “dental assistants and therapists” worldwide work in low-income countries. Almost two-thirds of all “dental assistants and therapists” work in the European Region and the Region of the Americas; only about 4% work in the African Region. To enhance this data and expand our discussion on oral health workforce development to deliver essential oral health care focusing on prevention and promotion, the WFPHA Oral Health Working Group has launched a global oral health workforce survey. This project explores and visually represents oral health workforce models, innovative approaches, and global challenges. Oral health experts in dental public health and workforce development designed the survey questions based on WHO country profiles, Global Oral Health Action Plan, and other resources on the scope of practice of each oral health workforce model, categorized by oral health education, assessment, fluoride application, SDF application, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), and restorative care. The survey also collected information about the primary employment sector for each oral health workforce model, main challenges, such as shortage and/or maldistribution, and the nation’s efforts to address those challenges aligned with national oral health workforce plans. This session will showcase findings from this survey and how we need to direct our efforts to ensure essential oral health care, including essential dental medicine, is delivered through a competent workforce model to achieve universal health coverage. 1. Audience will have analytic understanding of workforce discussion from the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan, WHO Global Oral Health Status Report, and WHO Global Oral Health Strategy to reimagine the future primary oral health workforce models to ultimately achieve oral health equality.
2. Preliminary findings from the World Federation of Public Health Associations’ Global Oral Health Workforce Survey will be presented to map out current oral health workforce status, challenges, and opportunities.

Chair professor
Department of preventive dentistry and public oral health
Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Republic of Korea

Dr. Baekil Kim is a chair professor of the department of preventive dentistry and public oral health at Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Republic of Korea. He received his dental doctorate degree, MSD, Ph.D from Yonsei University. He served as Vice-Dean at Yonsei University College of Dentistry from 2014 to 2022. From 2005 to the present, he has worked as the Korean representative of ISO TC106 dentistry's SC 7 oral care products division. He has become a regular member of the National Academy of Medicine of Korea since 2022.
His research goal is to develop and clinically apply various technologies for preventing oral diseases. His representative research achievement is optical diagnostic technology for early detection of oral diseases using fluorescence (Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence, QLF), and he has published more than 100 related papers and several dental textbooks (Textbook of Oral Care Products, Preventive Dentistry, Detection and assessment of dental caries: A clinical guide).
His ongoing research focuses on early detection of oral and systemic diseases via the oral microbiome. He actively investigates the mechanisms underlying how unique oral microbiome impact systemic disease like pneumonia, dementia, and colorectal cancer. Additionally, he endeavors to devise novel optical technologies for early disease identification. The progression of the disease can be divided into a subclinical and a clinical phase based on the patient's subjective symptoms. Identifying diseases in their subclinical phase is challenging due to the absence of distinct symptoms. Early detection offers the advantage of halting disease progression. In traditional dentistry, surgical intervention has been mainly performed after using a dentist's visual inspection and dental radiography as representative diagnostic methods in the clinical phase. However, in medicine, various screening tests that can easily identify subtle changes in the subclinical phase have been developed. Since traditional dentistry has focused on image evaluation using visual inspection and radiography, it would be advantageous for new screening and diagnosis technologies in dentistry to be image-based. Several fluorescence-based technologies, commercialized and utilized in dental clinics, are prevalent. This presentation highlights QLF (Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence) among them.
QLF is an oral screening and diagnostic technology that can detect various autofluorescence reactions from oral tissue. QLF uses visible blue light instead of radiation, so it is safe for the human body and easy to use in clinical settings. The principle of this technology involves two main aspects. The first principle is to detect bacterial activity from oral biofilm, and the second principle is to evaluate the mineral content of the tooth. By utilizing these two principles, it can be used not only for screening to detect pathogenic dental biofilms and dental calculus, but also for detecting incipient dental caries, secondary caries, tooth cracks, oral malodor and periodontal inflammation. This presentation will introduce the latest research results of QLF that can be used as a new screening technology emerging in dentistry. In traditional dentistry, dentist-centered diagnostic tests in the clinical phase have been emphasized, but in the future, the importance of screening tests by dental hygienists in the subclinical phase will be highlighted. Dental hygienists can play an important role in oral disease prevention by easily detecting oral biofilm using fluorescence-based screening.

Professional summary

Assistant professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Dankook University

Served as the director of the Career Development Center and Chief of Industry Collaboration Center of the Bio-Health Innovation Sharing system University (7 university in Korea)

Mainly conducts research on big data and platform-based oral health promotion programs, and is currently developing and researching dental hygiene management content for teledentistry

Education

Doctoral Degree
Preventive and Social dentistry, 2021 School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Korea

Master of Science Degree
Preventive and Social dentistry, 2015 School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Korea

Bachelor of Science Degree
Dental Hygiene, 2011, College of Medical Science, Konyang University, Korea

 
Work experience

Assistant Professor (2021.3 - )
– Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Dankook University

Chief of Career Development Center and Industry Collaboration Center (2021.9 - 2023.6)
- Biohealth Convergence/Open/Sharing-System University (7 Universities in Korea)

CEO (2022.05 - )
– THOMASTONE Corp., Dental Hygiene education platform, Hygiene product development, Diabetic meal & Healthy food service development

Director (2020. 03- )
- Korea Dental Health Association
- The Korean Academy of Preventive Dentistry and Oral Health
- Asia Association for Disability and Oral Health
- Korean Society of Dental Hygiene

Professional Researcher (2010. 11 – 2021.02)
Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University

Personal interests
Planning and evaluation of big data and platform-based oral health promotion programs and dental biofilm management using augmented reality and artificial intelligencein major research fields

Achieving the development of next-generation human resources training careers through integrated education in the field of biohealth in the field of education Objectives: To evaluate oral hygiene, disclosing evaluation of dental plaque is a very important diagnostic method. Various indices are applied to disclosing and evaluation of these dental plaque, and they are determined by visual inspection by dental experts. In order to develop an image analysis program that can be more helpful in the quantitative evaluation, we tried to devise and evaluate an automatic scoring system by using artificial intelligence in the quantitative evaluation method of dental plaque using tooth staining agent.

Methods: The plaque disclosing solution used for deep learning training and 5,000 images were used for learning. Labeling for quantitative evaluation of images was performed by two dental experts, and the dataset was divided into training data, verification data, and test data sets to form an artificial intelligence structure. In order to improve the accuracy of dental plaque, multi-model design and learning were conducted, and step-by-step dental plaque separation and detection results were confirmed.

Results: As a result of this study, A data conversion success rate of over 99% was secured in the parsing process for individual tooth data in tooth photos and the post-parsing DB process, and a normalization process was established for AI analysis in tooth image photos. Also, this program accuracy of 99.45% and precision of 93.92% were shown, and the separation of teeth from the image and the calculation of the tooth-colored range were numerically derived.

Conclusions: It was able to derive that the introduction of artificial intelligence in dental plaque color image analysis to evaluate oral hygiene is highly applicable Through the development of a dental biofilm scoring system using artificial intelligence, a method to manage oral care more easily has been derived.

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Have been working as a registered dental hygienist in Seoul National University Dental since 2017. Conducted Quality Improvement(QI) Activities as a team leader and contributed to patient safety in 2022. Currently in charge of international patients working at the International Dental care Service (IDS).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY DENTAL HOSPITAL(SNUDH)

International Dental care Service team | Nov. 2022 ~
• Interpreting for international patients (English-Korean)
• General management of dental services for international patients

QI activity team leader | Mar. 2022 – Nov. 2022
• Led a team in SNUDH to conduct a QI activity called “Improving patient safety by creating a manual to prevent and respond to accidental foreign body swallowing in dentistry”.
• Created a manual book based on objective data regarding accidental ingestion or aspiration in dentistry.

Department of Conservative Dentistry | Mar. 2019 – Nov. 2022
• Providing dental services by collaborating with professors and residents
• Post dental-care for patients
• Appointment management

EDUCATION
Sahmyook Health University | Bachelor’s degree of Dental Hygiene
Shingu College| Associate degree of Dental Hygiene

OTHER INFORMATION
Interest: Career development as a RDH, Patient safety, Quality Improvement activities
Introduction
Accidental ingestion or aspiration of foreign bodies is one of the emergency situations that can occur in dentistry. It can lead to life-threatening accidents as well as serious complications in patients.

At Seoul National University Dental Hospital, two accidental swallowing occurred in 2018 and 2019, and four occurred in 2021. Such incidences kept continuing to increase. However, our hospital had experienced difficulties preventing and responding to accidents due to the lack of educational materials for medical staff on accidental swallowing.

Therefore, a team is formed to conduct Quality Improvement(QI) activity contributing patient safety and aimed to create an educational manual for enhancing dental professional’s understanding of accidental ingestion and aspiration. The manual consists of the basic concepts of accidental ingestion and aspiration, how to respond when an incident occurs, and how to prevent them.

Method
The effectiveness of the QI activity was evaluated by comparing the incidence of accidental swallowing and the results of survey before and after performing this activity. The analysis involved comparing frequency statistics using SPSS Statistics software.

Results and Discussion
The analysis of the results showed that the incidence of accidental swallowing had decreased by 50%, from four occurrences in 2021 to two in 2022 (as of November 3, 2022).


Conclusion
Accidental ingestion or aspiration that may occur during dental treatment can hinder patient safety and lead to serious accidents, so proper prevention and response in preparation for this is extremely important. Through this QI activity, we were able to contribute to improving patient safety and decreasing the number of accidental swallowing as a result of educating medical staff on countermeasures and preventive measures for accidental patient swallowing. You can learn the following about accidental ingestion and aspiration.
1. Basic concepts
2. Causes
3. Prevention and response to the incidents
Ultimately, apply them to your practice to improve patient safety.

Dr. Rachael England commenced her healthcare career as a Dental Nurse at 16, swiftly identifying her ambition to become a Dental Hygienist. She joined the Royal Air Force at 18 and served until 2008, qualifying as a dental hygienist in 2006.
Dr. England's academic accomplishments include a Master’s in Public Health with merit (2018) and a Doctorate in Public Health from Teesside University (2023). Her research excellence has been recognized with awards from the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry and at the International Dental Hygienist Symposium.
She is the past President of the Emirates Dental Hygienists Club and a founding member of the Dental Hygienists and Therapists Research Network UK. In 2018, she established the charity “Maasai Molar,” focusing on oral health education and dental care in the Maasai Mara.
With a special interest in public health, Dr. England's career exemplifies dedication to dental health education and community health initiatives, making significant contributions both in the UK and internationally.
Oral diseases continue to pose a significant public health challenge affecting in excess of 3.5 billion people. Untreated oral disease disproportionately affects underserved and marginalized communities and with a rapidly aging population in South Korea, urgent action is needed. The World Health Organization Global Oral Health Action Plan (GOHAP) sets out six key targets to tackle the burden of oral disease, and Dental Hygienists (DH) play a key role.

Collaboration: DHs are the only healthcare professionals and members of the oral health team whose primary function continues to be the prevention of oral diseases and promotion of overall wellness. New practice arrangements with broader community-based and multi-disciplinary collaborations have emerged that embed oral health into primary healthcare led by the DH team.

Optimization: GOHAP calls for innovative oral health workforce models that foster task shifting and autonomous working. This strategy increases the deployment of DHs to underserved populations, for example through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Teledentistry. Staying abreast of AI and advanced technologies is crucial for achieving GOHAP.

Reimagination: The rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies presents a unique opportunity for DHs to reach a wider community and deliver health education directly to individuals. To support these changes regulatory cobwebs must be swept aside to allow innovation, freedom and flexibility.

Equality: Many of the causes of oral health inequality lie outside of the dental clinic door. However, DHs as trusted members of their communities can influence policy change at a local and national level. It is essential that DHs are empowered to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Embracing the CORE values centres the DH as a key stakeholder in achieving the targets of the GOHAP. 1.Understand the Evolving Role of Dental Hygienists in Collaborative Health Care: Participants will learn about the expanded role of dental hygienists in preventive oral care and their integration into multi-disciplinary health teams.

2.Explore Innovative Strategies for Optimizing Oral Health Services: Attendees will gain insights into the implementation of innovative oral health workforce models, such as task shifting and autonomous working, as recommended by the World Health Organization's Global Oral Health Action Plan.

3.Examine the Impact of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Dental Hygiene: The objective is to explore how advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence and digital tools, can be leveraged to extend the reach and effectiveness of dental hygiene services.

4.Identify Strategies for Promoting Equality and Reducing Oral Health Disparities: This objective aims to equip participants with knowledge and strategies in influencing policy changes and advocating for marginalized communities.

Dental Hygienist MSc FCGDent DipDH GDC 4276

Jocelyn started her dental career in the Royal Navy in 1987, qualifying as a dental hygienist in 1992. Since 2007, Jocelyn has been part of the team at Confident Dental and Implant Clinic in Gloucestershire. 2018, Jocelyn won The Probe Dental Hygienist of the Year and Phillips Shineon Awards. Jocelyn represented the BSDHT, updating the 2021 GOV.UK DBOH guidelines in the prevention and early detection of mouth cancer.

Being a part of the United Kingdom Oral Management in Cancer care group (UKOMIC) further demonstrates her dedication to oral health in cancer care. Jocelyn's contributions to medical and dental publications nationally and internationally since 2016 reflect her commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with the broader professional community.

2023 has been a fantastic year in Jocelyn's professional career. She became President-Elect of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, completed her MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare at Kent University and offered a College of General Dentistry Fellowship. Jocelyn is delighted to have a peer-reviewed textbook published this year by Wiley, """"Care of Head and Neck Cancer Patients"""", with royalties donated to charity. A proactive and collaborative approach to mouth care for head and neck cancer patients is crucial throughout their journey from diagnosis to aftercare. The emotional impact of such a diagnosis can often overshadow the importance of oral care, making it necessary for healthcare professionals, especially dental hygienists, to take an optimising leading role in educating and supporting patients and collaborating with fellow healthcare professionals.
This presentation will address the complex and varied challenges patients face throughout their journey from diagnosis to aftercare. There are seven aspects to the dental hygienists role in managing such patients. They are:

1. Educating Patients:
• Before Diagnosis: Establish educational programs that provide information on the importance of oral care.
• After Diagnosis: Tailor information to the specific needs of each patient.
2. Preventive Measures:
• Before Treatment: Emphasise the significance of maintaining good oral health before treatment during and after therapy.
• During Treatment: Implement preventive measures to reduce treatment-related complications.
3. Collaborative Care:
• In Hospital: Foster collaboration between dental hygienists, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Primary Care: Ensure a smooth transition from hospital to primary care.
4. Individualised Care Plans:
• Treatment Variability: Recognise diverse treatment approaches for each patient and tailor their oral care plans accordingly.
• Post-Surgery and Therapy: Develop comprehensive care plans that address the challenges of healing post-surgery and therapy.
5. Psychosocial Support:
• Balancing Expectations: Acknowledge the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis and its impact on oral care priorities.
• Communication Skills: Develop effective communication strategies
6. Long-Term Follow-Up:
• Transition to Primary Care: Ensure a smooth transition from hospital- to primary care.
• Regular Monitoring: Implement long-term monitoring strategies to address potential late effects of treatment on oral health.
7. Professional Development:
• Continuous Learning: Encourage dental hygienists to stay informed about advancements in head and neck cancer treatments.
• Interdisciplinary Training: Foster interdisciplinary training programs. To understand the difficulties of mouth care for head and neck cancer patients before, during and after treatment.
To feel supported with practical suggestions for managing long-term oral effects.

Catherine has presented nationally and internationally on the topics of special care dentistry, health promotion and behavioural change. She has an enthusiasm for empowering patients to improve and maintain their oral health.

Catherine has qualifications in dental nursing, dental hygiene and teaching and is a past director of the Dental Hygiene Programme in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, Ireland. She has a Masters by Research on the topic of Communication Skills in the clinical setting and a Masters in Health Promotion on the topic of Smoking Cessation.
She was awarded a 1252 Student Scholarship by Trinity College and the Dublin Dental University Hospital to do a PhD in Special Care Dentistry, which was completed in March 2019. She received a Cochrane Fellowship in 2016 and her PhD included a Cochrane review of oral hygiene interventions for people with intellectual disabilities.

She is an active member of her professional associations; she is a past president of the Irish Dental Hygienists Association, and of the Irish Society of Disability and Oral Health. She was the Scientific Chair of the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, hosted by Ireland in August 2022.
Background
The oral health of people with disabilities is poorer than the general population. They require more tailored support to have any hope of achieving a similar level of oral health to that of the general population. Research has shown that some oral hygiene interventions show benefit, but results are inconsistent. The formal and informal carer has been shown to play an important role in relation to providing the regular support that is needed.

Presentation content
I will focus on toothbrushing and outline why I believe toothbrushing needs to be the priority when caring for people with disabilities. I will provide practical tips for us to use in the clinic and for us to share with carers for use at home, to aid easier, more effective, and consistent toothbrushing for people who need some support and encouragement. I will intersperse practical tips with the evidence that is available to support the suggestions. Finally, I will direct you to some of the resources that are available for people who need support. 1. Be aware of some of the barriers to oral health for people with disabilities.
2. Learn some techniques to overcome the challenges of toothbrushing for people with disabilities.
3. Be aware of the evidence that exists in relation to oral hygiene for people with disabilities.
4. Learn about the value of designing tailored mouth care plans and agreeing the plan with patients and carers.
5. Learn how to set achievable oral hygiene goals.
6. Identify oral hygiene resources that can support you.