World Dental Federation
Overview
[edit]The FDI World Dental Federation (formerly the Fédération Dentaire Internationale) is the primary representative body for the dental profession globally. Founded in Paris in 1900, it is one of the oldest professional organizations in the field of medicine.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the FDI serves as the principal point of contact for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations regarding global oral health policy. It represents approximately 200 national dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries.
Mission and Vision
[edit]The FDI's central mission is to "lead the world to optimal oral health." It operates on the principle that oral health is a fundamental human right and a core component of general health and well-being.
Strategic Pillars
[edit]- Advocacy: Lobbying international governments to include oral health in Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) strategies.
- Knowledge Transfer: Providing continuing education and clinical scientific resources to practitioners globally.
- Public Health: Promoting large-scale prevention programs and health literacy.
Major Initiatives
[edit]1. World Oral Health Day (WOHD)
[edit]Celebrated annually on March 20, World Oral Health Day is the largest global awareness campaign dedicated to oral health. It aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to prevent and control dental disease.
2. Global Periodontal Health Project (GPHP)
[edit]An initiative designed to reduce the burden of periodontal disease by providing clinical toolkits and policy white papers to dental associations, emphasizing the link between gum health and systemic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus.
3. Vision 2030
[edit]The FDI’s roadmap for the future of dentistry, which focuses on:
- Reducing the gap in access to care between high-income and low-income nations.
- Integrating oral health into primary healthcare systems.
- Advancing Digital Dentistry and sustainable dental materials.
The FDI Definition of Oral Health (2016)
[edit]In 2016, the FDI released a landmark definition to change how the world views dentistry:
"Oral health is multi-faceted and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex."
World Dental Congress
[edit]The FDI organizes the World Dental Congress (WDC), an annual traveling international event that serves as a premier forum for dental professionals to share scientific research, discuss policy, and view the latest industry innovations in the dental trade exhibition.