GUM, an oral care brand of Sunstar, in partnership with the European Dental Hygienists Federation (EDHF), has announced the winners of the 2025 GUM European Award of Distinction.

The award, presented by the Sunstar Foundation, recognises outstanding contributions by dental hygienists across Europe.

The 2025 GUM EDHF European Award of Distinction winners are:

  • Full Time Clinician: Emily Gumina, Switzerland, dental hygienist, Splendente SAGL, Magadino

  • Public Health: Tracey Kinsella, United Kingdom, dental hygienist, University Dental Hospital, Cardiff

  • Research: Peggy van Spreuwel, the Netherlands, dental hygienist, Hogeschool Utrecht

  • Entrepreneur: Joyce van Loock, Belgium, dental hygienist, Puurs-Sint-Amands and UC Leuven-Limburg

  • New RDH: Anouk Loeffen, the Netherlands, dental hygienist, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen

  • Academia: Emma Bingham, United Kingdom, dental hygienist and Professor, University of Sheffield.

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    Tracey Kinsella

Tracey Kinsella, who has written for BDJ Team,1 said: ‘I am delighted to receive the award to bring a spotlight on the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach between dental professionals and our medical colleagues. We have a responsibility to share evidence-based knowledge and skills far and wide beyond the dental chair. This award endorses this valuable direction and shows we can make a difference.'

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Emma Bingham

Emma Bingham commented: ‘I am incredibly honoured and deeply grateful to receive the 2025 European Award of Distinction for Dental Hygienists in the Academia category. This recognition from The Sunstar Foundation and the European Dental Hygienist Federation is a tremendous affirmation of my dedication to advancing dental hygiene education.'

Mayumi Kaneda, director of the Sunstar Foundation, said: ‘We would like to congratulate the winners on their incredible achievements. This award was created to celebrate the hard work of the best dental hygienists across Europe who have demonstrated excellence in their respective category. They have shown an incredible standard and are truly inspirational in their field.'

Each of the winners of the 2025 GUM EDHF European Award of Distinction will receive a €1,000 cash prize along with automatic entry to the 2026 World Dental Hygienist Awards.