Association for Dental Education in Europe

Learning together to improve oral health and quality of life

Professionalisation of Dental Hygienists and Therapists in Academia

Thursday, 21st August 2025 - 16:00 to 17:30
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Timezone: 

Dublin (IST, UTC+1)

Venue: 

Dargan B TCDBS

Session type: 
Type 2: Organised, planned and delivered by a subgroup, special interest group, community of practice of ADEE
Pre-register as part of your ADEE 2025 meeting registration
Session synopsis: 

Dental hygienists and dental therapists play an integral role in oral healthcare, yet the academic pathways leading to professionalisation in these fields remain underdeveloped compared to other dental professions. As the demand for advanced clinical practice, research and teaching continues to grow, it is crucial to support the academic development of these professionals, fostering their ability to become the next generation of researchers, scholars, and Professors.

This Community of Practice group plans to address the current lack of structured academic pathways for dental hygienists and dental therapists across Europe, enabling these professionals to advance in academia and research. By creating a supportive network, fostering research, and advocating for the integration of dental hygienists and therapists into higher academic structures, this initiative will contribute significantly to the professionalisation of the field, benefiting educators, students, and patients across Europe.

The aim of this Community of Practice is to support the professional development of dental hygienists and dental therapists through the creation of a robust academic pathway, facilitating the progression of early-career academics into research and teaching roles, with the goal of nurturing future professors in these fields. Proposed Objectives The objectives include to:

  1. explore the current academic pathways for dental hygienists and dental therapists across Europe, identifying challenges and opportunities for expanding academic careers in this group
  2. develop a framework for academic progression that supports career advancement.

 

Programme: 

16:00 Welcoming remarks and outline of session objectivesby session chairs 

16:05 Opening words on the European perspective delivered by Gitana Rederiene, President of the European Federation of Dental Hygienists

16:10 Invited speakers 

  • Dr Susan H. Kass USA 
  • Professor Laura Dempster 
  • Professor Dagmar Else Slot
  • Mrs Joanne Bowles 
  • Dr Jeanie Suvan

17:00 Discussion 

17:25 Closing remarks 

The session will also include an interactive segment for collecting data and perspectives from attendees to inform future commentary and collaborative publications.

Chair: 

Leon Bassi

Lecturer in Restorative dentistry (Dental Therapy Practice)
University of Liverpool

Leon Bassi is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Liverpool. His professional background encompasses substantial clinical experience within community, hospital, and specialised private practice environments. He possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Dentistry for Dental Therapists and a Master of Science in Advanced Specialist Healthcare. Leon is an active member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT). Furthermore, he holds Fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) and Fellowship of the Faculty of Dental Trainers. He has a keen interest in the professionalisation of dental hygienists and dental therapists as dental occupations with a view to advocate for career literacy and structured career pathways.

Sarah Murray

Reader in Dental Therapy Education
Queen Mary University of London

Sarah Murray has worked in dental education for over 30 years, during which time she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the clinical practice of dental hygienists and dental therapists. She has been a strong advocate for expanding the scope of practice, by playing a pivotal role in the introduction of direct access in 2013 and contributing significantly to the recent HEE dental exemptions training. In addition to her clinical and educational contributions, Sarah is keen to ensure that dental hygienists and dental therapist academics have a clear, structured pathway to achieve professor status, addressing a gap that remains unclear in the profession.

Speakers: 

Gitana Rederiene

President
European Dental Hygienists Federation / Lithuanian Dental Hygienists Association

Dr. Gitana Rederiene is a President of the European Dental Hygienists Federation as well as a Founder and current President of the Lithuanian Dental Hygienists Association. She is also a board member of the Odontology faculty of Lithuanian Health Science University, as well as a consultant for a few dental hygiene programs in Lithuania.  She completed her Dental Hygiene and Public Health studies at Lithuanian Health Science University in Kaunas and defended her doctoral thesis at Vilnius University Medical Faculty in Public health. Her main research topic is the greater empowerment of the professional group of dental hygienists and a clearer role in shaping the oral health policy. She is a practising dental hygienist at the University clinic as well as holds courses for continuing education on various topics nationally and internationally.  Dr. Gitana Rederiene is also a member of European Association Dental Public Health.

Joanne Bowles

BSc Dental Therapy Programme Director
University of Liverpool

Joanne Bowles is a Dental Therapist, Senior Lecturer and the BSc Dental Therapy Programme Director for the fully integrated and innovative BDS/BSc curriculum at the University of Liverpool, School of Dentistry. Joanne is an executive council member for the British Association of Dental Therapists where she now has a role as BADT Secretary.

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