- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
- DR JOHN HUNT APPOINTED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF UPDATE
- HIGH MEDIA COVERAGE FROM CONFERENCE ON ORAL HEALTH THROUGH FLUORIDE
- 2008 FDI ANNUAL WORLD DENTAL CONGRESS
- IDEM SINGAPORE – THE NUMBER ONE DENTAL EXHIBITION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
- FDI PARTICIPATES IN WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
- WORLD HEALTH EDITORS NETWORK EVENTS
- 2007 FDI AWDC POST-CONGRESS REPORT
- UPCOMING FDI EVENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
At the close of the Dubai Congress last October, we realized that the FDI had reached the historic milestone of representing more than one million dentists worldwide. This is both a huge asset and a tremendous responsibility for FDI. Maintaining our profile as a credible global health organisation requires demonstrated support of this magnitude. By increasing our membership we must also accept the obligation to ensure that our Council and Committee structure is representative of the cultural and professional diversity of our membership.
Dr Burton Conrod
FDI President
Reviewing the records of our Dubai meetings, I note with satisfaction that we have added dentists from a wide range of countries to the group of people, who keep the FDI focused on our mission, while helping us design and provide innovative programmes and services to improve oral health. Candidates for Council and Committees must meet required criteria to give us the skills we need to carry out our work. The fact that we were able to attract and elect qualified candidates from a variety of countries such as Brazil, the Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan the United States indicates to me that the FDI is maintaining its global relevance.
In this issue of the Worldental Communiqué you can read about recent successful events as well as meetings planned for the near future. I am looking forward to attending a number of these events to promote the work of FDI and raise awareness of the importance of oral health. The IDEM Meeting in Singapore is an excellent opportunity for dentists from the Asia Pacific Region to interact, learn and see the latest in dental technology and materials and I am anxious to participate in this congress which has been growing in size and importance in recent years. The Corporate Partners meeting in Chicago is our opportunity to network with our very important industry partners, to seek their advice and input and thank them for their contributions to our work. The mid-year meetings of our FDI Committees will be held in March and staff and volunteers are busy finalising their work plans and gathering resources for these sessions. I will be there to give these people your encouragement and offer the support of Council to facilitate their efforts. The planning for our September 2008 Congress in Stockholm is well advanced and now is the time to plan your attendance. This is the event where every dentist can access quality continuing education and become more informed about our dental development and public health programs as well as the ways we support member associations.
I am a practicing dentist, providing patient care whenever I am not attending to FDI business. I enjoy the hectic schedule required because the more than one million dentists supporting the FDI provide me with encouragement and enthusiasm. I look forward to meeting you and hearing firsthand, your hopes and dreams for the FDI and your vision of how best to lead the world to optimal oral health!
Dr Burton Conrod
FDI President