Sunstar and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists celebrate the winners of the 7th World Dental Hygienist Awards at ISDH Milan

Sunstar and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists celebrate the winners of the 7^th World Dental Hygienist Awards at ISDH Milan 

• The World Dental Hygienist Awards ceremony was held at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH) in Milan, Italy
• Six winners were awarded across six categories: Public Health, Full-Time Clinician, New RDH, Research, Academia and Entrepreneur 
• The World Dental Hygienist Awards recognize and celebrate dental hygienists worldwide

Sunstar and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), have celebrated the winners of the 7th annual World Dental Hygienist Awards at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH) in Milan, Italy.

Presented by the Sunstar Foundation and the IFDH and supported by GUM, Sunstar’s global oral health brand, the awards recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions from dental hygienists across the globe.

Mayumi Kaneda, Director of the Sunstar Foundation, and Jill Rethman, President of the IFDH, welcomed the winners to the World Dental Hygienist Awards ceremony.

Each winner received a fully funded trip to ISDH Milan and was presented by Mayumi Kaneda with a trophy designed by the renowned Italian architect Mario Bellini and a cash prize of USD 1,500.

The 2026 Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Awards winners: (to download images of the individual winners, click here)

Pictured left to right: Martijn Verhulst (host and Medical Affairs Lead, Sunstar), Janet Williams Oshun, Whitney Difoggio, Dr Elmer E. González, Jill Rethman (President IFDH), Mayumi Kaneda (Director of the Sunstar Foundation), Shelley Brown, Stefania Morittu, Andrea Buttera 

Mayumi Kaneda, Director of the Sunstar Foundation, said: “It was fantastic to meet the winners at the ceremony and celebrate their achievements in person. We are so proud of their impact and important contributions to elevating the oral health profession.”

Jill Rethman, President of the IFDH, added: “The Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Awards are always a special part of the program at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene. It’s wonderful to honor our colleagues who have achieved so much and worked so hard to improve the lives of people everywhere. They inspire us to always do our best, no matter where we practice our profession!”  

In addition to the World Dental Hygienists Awards, the Sunstar Foundation supports the World Perio Research Awards and the Perio Link Award, as well as research and innovation grants that raise awareness of the importance of oral care and champion the work of oral care professionals.

Individual winners’ photos and quotes below. To download the ceremony images of the winners, click here.

Shelley Brown, MEd, BSDH, RDH, FADHA, United States, dental educator and co-owner of Hygiene EdgeUCATORS and adjunct faculty at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene.

Shelley Brown is a dental educator, speaker, content creator and mobile clinician advancing accessible, innovative dentistry. She is co-owner of Hygiene EdgeUCATORS, supporting dental educators through professional development. She is an adjunct faculty member at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene and founded Homebound Smiles, a mobile practice serving underserved patients across Utah. She creates educational content as Shelley the Hygienist on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Holding a master’s degree in instructional design, she blends clinical expertise with modern education strategies. 

It also highlights the vital role dental hygienists play in prevention and the need for greater autonomy, allowing us to practice to the full scope of our education. Through my educational videos I will continue to raise awareness about what dental hygienists do, why autonomy matters, and how prevention changes lives.

My mission is simple: every person deserves access to preventive oral health care, and every dental hygienist should be empowered to practice fully, without restrictive supervision.”

Stefania Morittu, Italy, Studio Dentistico Morittu. Qualifications include master’s degrees from the Tuscan Stomatologico Institute and Sapienza University of Rome.

Stefania is the creator of ‘Oral Hygiene in Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy’ guide and co-author and creator of two further guides, Oral hygiene during pregnancy and Oral hygiene with fibromyalgia.

She’s an award winner in social responsibility, ‘Empowering Women: Strengthening women’s oral and general health through projects by dental hygienists’ and AIRO winner: ‘Oral manifestations in paediatric patients with systemic diseases: literature review; A personalized educational protocol as a tool to safeguard the health of tomorrow’s adults.’

She has created a series of children’s books to introduce children to oral health and worked on prevention projects for schools, created training courses for nursing homes and healthcare and volunteers at the Onda Rosa women and children anti-violence center.

“Receiving this award was an honor, an important recognition for my career as a dental hygienist. It’s a unique feeling.”

Janet Williams Oshun, Ireland, RDH and graduate of Trinity College Dublin, working across private practice, specialist orthodontics, implant-focused care and hospital settings.

Passionate about creating positive change in oral health, Janet’s career extends beyond the clinical setting into research, education, public speaking, and community outreach. Her work has explored the impact of ethnic and cultural oral practices on oral health, helping to highlight the importance of culturally inclusive approaches to dental care. She shares her insights through professional presentations, published writing and educational initiatives aimed at improving oral health awareness.

Janet is committed to widening access to oral healthcare through advocacy and voluntary work with the Irish Dental Hygienists Association. Alongside her professional involvement, she has delivered oral health presentations to a wide range of vulnerable communities and collaborated with dental brands to provide take-home educational resources and samples.

Through her clinical leadership, community engagement and dedication to advancing the profession she continues to make a meaningful impact on patients, colleagues and the wider dental hygiene community.

“I am truly honoured and grateful to receive the Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Award. To be recognised on a global level so early in my career is incredibly meaningful and it inspires me to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the advancement of our profession. I’m deeply thankful to the Sunstar Foundation, the IFDH jury, and to all of my family, friends and patients for their votes and support along the way.”

Andrea Butera, Italy, Unit of Dental Hygiene, University of Pavia, Italy.

In 2024, he obtained the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for the role of Associate Professor in the SSD MEDS-26/B sector. He is Director of Educational Activities for the Dental Hygiene Degree Program at the University of Pavia and held a research fellowship in the SSD MEDS-26/B sector since 2021. He is also an adjunct professor in the Dental Hygiene Degree Program at the University of Pavia and in the Degree Program in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics since 2023/2024. Other roles include lecturer in first- and second-level master’s programs and he completed the Advances in Dental Hygiene and Oral Care program at the University at Buffalo, US.

Andrea is co-author of numerous national and international scientific articles and contributions, a member of the editorial board of international journals and Associate Editor for the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, an active member of the Italian Society of Oral Hygiene Sciences (SISIO) and an ordinary member of SIRTEPS (Italian Society for Translational Research and Healthcare Professions). He also serves as a speaker at national and international courses and conferences. Andrea’s previous awards include the Sunstar Award of Distinction Dental Hygienists Europe 2024 (Research section) and the Innovation Award of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) 2025.

”I’m deeply grateful to the Sunstar Foundation and IFDH for this incredible recognition. I would also like to sincerely thank all the colleagues and collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years, this achievement is shared with you. This award motivates me to keep contributing to the growth of dental hygiene research worldwide.”

Dr. Elmer E. González, MBA, PhD, RDH, CDA, United States, New Mexico State University/Doña Ana Community College Health Sciences Division Dental Programs.

Dr. Elmer E. González is a dedicated educator, leader, and advocate whose career is rooted in a deep passion for transforming lives through dental hygiene education and public health. As a Professor and Department Chair at New Mexico State University Doña Ana Community College, he is committed to empowering students to realize their potential and become compassionate, skilled professionals who advance oral health in their communities and beyond.

“Receiving the Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Award is truly humbling and deeply personal. As someone who came to the United States from Mexico, my passion for dental hygiene was shaped early by witnessing the challenges many communities face in accessing care. This recognition reflects my commitment to empowering students and my dedication to ensuring greater access to oral health for those most in need. At its core, this work is about uplifting others by helping them feel seen and valued, opening doors to opportunity, and improving lives. I am grateful to serve, to teach, and to make a meaningful difference every day.”

Whitney DiFoggio, MA, RDH, United States, founder of TeethTalk.com and the creator of ‘Teeth Talk Girl.’

With a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Illinois Chicago and a master’s degree in health communication from Arizona State University, she is currently pursuing her doctorate in health science at Old Dominion University. Through her digital platforms including YouTube and TeethTalk.com, Whitney has reached millions globally, empowering individuals to better understand preventive oral care and take control of their health.

By combining clinical expertise with innovative communication, Whitney is redefining how dental hygienists educate, lead, and create impact, bridging the gap between dentistry and the public while elevating the profession on a global scale.

“This recognition represents more than my work, it reflects a larger movement to make oral health education accessible, empowering people everywhere to take control of their health and reimagine what dental hygiene can be.” 

For the latest updates and in-depth insights into the world of Dentistry, including breakthrough treatments, industry trends, and regulatory news, contact Kiera Allen today!