Today we celebrate National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day, recognising the invaluable contribution dental hygienists and dental therapists make to dentistry.
Now in its third year, the day is held annually on 1 May and was created in partnership with the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT), the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) and the Irish Dental Hygienists’ Association (IDHA).
The date marks the anniversary of the introduction of direct access legislation on 1 May 2013, a landmark moment that allowed dental hygienists and dental therapists to see patients without a prior examination by a dentist.
To mark the occasion, Dentistry has been running a dedicated campaign throughout April – in partnership with NSK – celebrating the achievements, challenges and ongoing evolution of these vital dental care professionals.
This year’s series of articles and videos has been sharing insights, journeys and guidance from dental hygienists and dental therapists on topics including inclusive dentistry for neurodivergent patients, dental therapy in a hospital setting, incorporating lifestyle medicine and dental hygiene, as well as direct access in UK and Ireland.
Presidents’ messages
‘The BADT is delighted to support the National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day again this year. It’s so great to have some recognition. We wish you all the best – here’s to a great day!’
Debbie Hemington
BADT president
‘We’re really proud to support the National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day and hope to raise awareness of the wonderful work that both dental hygienists and dental therapists do to care for the nation’s mouth.’
Rhiannon Jones
BSDHT president
Today, we celebrate another year dedicated to the incredible profession of dental hygiene. It’s a moment to recognise how far we have come and how much we still strive to achieve, from clinical practice and education to research in public health, our skills and dedication make a lasting impact on the communities we serve, and yet, in Ireland, direct access to dental hygienists remains a challenge, and many patients still face unnecessary barriers to preventive care. We remain committed to pushing forward until direct access here becomes reality, because oral health should be easy to access and it shouldn’t be a privilege. Our patients deserve prevention without barriers.
Sviatlana Anishchuk
IDHA president
Read more from the National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day campaign:
- A history of the BSDHT
- Using social media to positively influence oral health
- Getting comfortable with direct access
- Multidisciplinary care: dental therapy in a hospital setting
- Dental therapists: are you a Ferrari in a school zone?
With thanks to our sponsor, NSK.
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