Janet Williams Oshun, a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and graduate of Trinity College Dublin, has been announced as the winner of the New RDH category in the World Dental Hygienist awards.

Winners were awarded across six categories: Public Health, Full-Time Clinician, New RDH, Research, Academia and Entrepreneur.

Presented by the Sunstar Foundation and the International Foundation of Dental Hygienists and supported by GUM, Sunstar’s global oral health brand, the awards recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions from dental hygienists across the globe.

Janet’s work is centered on the management of periodontal disease and dental anxiety, with a strong focus on prevention and patient education.

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,” said Janet. “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.”