Michaela becomes the first active president of the BSDHT to be successfully elected to the prestigious position and brings with her 25 years of knowledge and professional practice as she serves as secretary to the IFDH until 2019.
Speaking on her successful election Michaela ONeill said: “It is a real honour to be elected to the board of directors for the IFDH and I look forward to representing the best interests of dental professionals from the United Kingdom and around the world.
“The IFDH is a leader in advancing our professional profile globally and it’s not every day that UK has the opportunity to have their voice heard at international level within dentistry. I will serve within my role with enthusiasm and commitment to help further the aims of the IFDH.”
The IFDH is an international, non-governmental organisation which unites dental hygiene associations from around the world in their common cause of promoting dental health.
The not for profit organisation is marking its 30th anniversary later this year; Michaela added: “Over the last three decades the IFDH have been successful in bringing together dental leaders from around the word to further the dental hygiene profession. They have achieved this by promoting dental hygiene, incorporating latest research findings into the profession and successfully promoting the oral health profession globally.
“As well as my continued commitment to the BSDHT I am looking forward to representing our members on a larger scale and incorporate exciting current and future ideas into the UK’s dental hygiene landscape.”
The mission of BSDHT is to represent the interests of members and to provide a consultative body for public and private organisations on all matters relating to dental hygiene and therapy. They aim to work with other professional and regulatory groups to provide the highest level of information to their members as well as to the general public.
Former BSHDT president (then the BDHA), Eveline Gray, previously held the position of treasurer of the IFDH for a number of years after serving on the board.
The society seeks to increase the range of benefits offered to members and to support this with a clear business and financial strategy. The society will continue to work to increase membership for the benefit of the profession.