Dental hygiene and dental associations create policies for their memberships to follow. The Federation Dentaire Internationale, or FDI World Dental Federation, has adopted new policies that impact the practice of dental hygiene internationally. Five of the nine newest policies from September 2015 will be discussed in this special feature. The policies discussed address oral health for healthy aging, oral health and quality of life, dietary free sugars and dental caries, oral cancer, and supervision of allied dental personnel. The five policy statements are reviewed and compared to current actions and practices of the American Dental Hygienists' Association and International Federation of Dental Hygienists. Calling attention to the need for all oral health care professions to work collaboratively will serve the public and bring the best evidence forward for providing care. The goal of this article is to convey the urgency for true interprofessional efforts that involve all related organizations to direct policy for the public's optimal health and well-being.

Keywords: allied dental, dental hygiene, dental supervision, policy