Founded in Paris in 1900, FDI( World Dental Federation) serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities. Over the years, it has developed programmes, initiative, campaigns, policies and congresses, always with a view to occupying a space that no other not-for-profit group can claim.

FDI membership comprises some 200 member national dental associations in over 130 countries. It works at national and international level through its own activities and those of its member dental associations. It is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA).

There are 3 types of FDI membership: Regular, Associate and Affiliate

Regular Members are national dental associations, which are recognized by the FDI as principal associations and significant representatives of the legal and certified dental profession in their own countries and which have fulfilled the requirements of membership. Membership of the association should be open to all dentists in the country and the association’s missions and goals should be in line with those of the FDI. Since its foundation in 1963, Iranian Dental Association (IDA) has been FDI Regular Member and Dr. Kaveh Seyedan serves as FDI National Liaison Officer.

Thailand was selected by the World Dental Federation (Fédération dentaire internationale) to host the 103rd Annual World Dental Congress 2015 under the theme “Dentistry of the 21st Century”. Expected to draw around 10,000 delegates, this prestigious event, which represents the voice of dentists worldwide, will display new technologies and innovative dentistry science for dental care and treatment.

More than 100 reputed speakers from all around the world will speak at the congress while there will be presentation of over 400 interesting research papers. More than 180 exhibitors from both Asian and Western countries will showcase their products and services in 600 booths which fully occupy 10,000 sqm exhibiting space.

FDI Sections will be holding their annual meetings during the FDI 2015 Annual World Dental Congress and the Science Committee is going to convene two important sessions: The Science Committee Forum on ‘FDI Policy Statements and The FDI/ISO joint session on ‘ISO International Standards for product safety and quality in dentistry’.

Furthermore FDI 2015 Elections will be done in the mentioned congress. Among the 28 nominees for FDI Council and Standing Committees, there is one nominee from Iran. IDA, officially introduced Dr. Kaveh Seyedan as its candidate for the Science Committee in FDI 2015 election. “Being served as faculty member for more than two decades and president of Iranian Association of Prosthodontists for 3 terms as well as being the fellow member of high-ranked international scientific dental associations, have made Dr. Seyedan a nationally acclaimed dental scientist and internationally recognised scholar who considerably enhanced science-based dentistry in Iran.

Adhered thoroughly to FDI values with commitment to improve oral health, Dr. Seyedan forged a close relationship between FDI and Iranian Dental Association and promoted FDI principles in Iranian dental community.

Upon his consistent efforts, the first FDI Persian Regional Congress will be held in Iran in 2016 which he serves as its scientific chair.

As a researcher and academic scholar, he has cooperated with renowned world-class dental scientists and has made meaningful contributions to dental sciences.”IDA President remarked.

A senior delegation from Iranian Dental Association including IDA Board Members and Planning Committee of IDA Annual Congress in 2016 which will host the First FDI Persian Regional Congress participates in FDI congress.

Dr. Shima Naghavi, Director of International Affairs