Cole Gilbert

Cole Gilbert is a South African Dental Hygienist, healthcare leader, and advocate for advancing the dental hygiene profession. He serves as President of the Oral Hygienists Association of South Africa (OHASA) and Vice President of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), representing the profession nationally and internationally. Cole is also a Board Member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Professional Board for Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene, contributing to the regulation and development of these professions. He is a faculty member at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where he contributes to both academic lecturing and clinical teaching. With extensive clinical and professional experience, Cole is passionate about empowering dental hygienists through education, leadership and innovation. His work focuses on strengthening the role of dental hygienists within multidisciplinary healthcare, advancing professional stan