The Sunstar and the European Dental Hygienist Federation (EDHF) have announced the winners of the European Award of Distinction for Dental Hygienists for 2024.

The European Award of Distinction was created with the European Dental Hygienist Federation (EDHF) to celebrate European dental hygienists' excellence.

All the winners have been automatically nominated for the World Dental Hygienist Awards at the 2026 International Symposium of Dental Hygiene (ISDH) in Milan, Italy.

Gitana Rederiene, president of the European Dental Hygienists Federation, said, “The Sunstar and EDHF Awards of Distinction has a significant impact by recognising and honouring the outstanding achievements of dental hygienists worldwide.

“This prestigious award helps to elevate the profession of dental hygiene and inspires others to strive for excellence in their practice. In addition, the recognition and support of the award help to raise awareness of the important role dental hygienists play in promoting oral health and general wellbeing, and the various award categories highlight the wide range of opportunities for dental hygienists to achieve their potential.”

Six winners were selected across the categories. The 2024 Sunstar EDHF European Award of Distinction winners were:

  • Full-time clinician: Stefania Morittu, dental hygienist at Studio Dentistico Morittu, Cagliari, Italy
  • Public health: Pernille Mose, dental hygienist at Tandlaegerne Torvet, Horsens, Denmark
  • Research: Andrea Butera, research fellow, University of Pavia, Italy
  • Entrepreneur: Jacqueline Armstrong, clinician and founder, Ohh! Oral Health, Cumbernauld, Scotland
  • New RDH: Janet Williams Oshun, dental hygienist at South Beach Clinic and Wicklow Dental, Ireland
  • Academia: Mário Rui Araújo, adjunct professor and dental hygiene program coordinator, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, Portugal

All the nominations were judged by an international committee of independent dental hygienists, selected by the EDHF.

Mayumi Kaneda, director of the Sunstar Foundation, said, “We congratulate our fantastic winners. This award illustrates just how dental hygienists can impact their patients and their health and wellbeing. With each winner demonstrating incredible excellence and achievements in their chosen field.”

The European award, alongside its North American counterpart, The Sunstar and RDH Award of Distinction, acts as the ‘qualification round’ to the World Dental Hygienist Awards. For both awards, dental hygienists compete for global recognition, a money prize and a trip to Milan to be celebrated at the 2026 ISDH.

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