Insubria receives award at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Milan for an oral health prevention project in Varese primary schools

The International Symposium on Dental Hygiene 2026, the world’s leading scientific event in the field of dental hygiene, concluded on Saturday 11 July at the Milan Convention Centre. Organised by the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), the symposium brought together more than 1,200 participants from around the world and returned to Italy 28 years after its previous edition, providing professionals with a unique opportunity for discussion and professional development.

At this high-profile international event, the University of Insubria received a prestigious award. During the Poster Awards ceremony on Saturday 11 July, the project entitled “Smile Care Buddies: A Peer Education-Based Oral Health Prevention Project for Primary School Children” was named best poster in the RDH Project/Research category.

The award-winning project was developed by a multidisciplinary team comprising Giuseppina Sitra, Serena Robustino, Fabio Brusamolino, Vittorio Maurino, Michela Rossini and Davide Farronato. Working with students from the University of Insubria’s degree programme in Dental Hygiene, the researchers designed and implemented an innovative health education programme in Varese primary schools, focusing on oral health prevention through peer education.

The international judging panel recognised the project for its high scientific quality and full compliance with professional standards. Particular appreciation was expressed for its multidisciplinary approach, which involved dentists, paediatric dentists, dental hygienists, Dental Hygiene students and a psychotherapist.

The project has the potential to make a significant impact locally, providing tangible benefits for the Varese community while offering a sustainable model that can easily be replicated in other settings.

In addition to receiving the prestigious award, the University of Insubria played a prominent role in the symposium’s oral presentation sessions. Dental hygienists affiliated with the degree programme presented contributions on innovative topics, including oral hygiene projects in prisons, educational programmes for pregnant women and recent developments in oral pathology.

This achievement confirms the quality of the education and research offered by the University of Insubria’s degree programme in Dental Hygiene and places the University at the centre of the international debate on oral health prevention and promotion policies.

Photo: the University of Insubria team of students and dental hygienists during the Poster Awards ceremony at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene.