ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE: The FDI World Dental Federation gave awards to oral care initiatives launched for underserved communities at the 2024 SmileGrant Award ceremony, held during the FDI General Assembly.
FDI President Dr Greg Chadwick presented prestigious awards to winners from Chile and Croatia, recognising their exceptional efforts in promoting preventive oral care.
Sponsored by Colgate, the Smile Grant honours innovative and sustainable projects led by FDI member national dental associations (NDAs) aimed to raise awareness and improve oral health through community outreach.
FDI congratulates the 2024 recipients for their exemplary contributions to advancing oral health at the grassroots level.
The College of Dental Surgeons of Chile received the Smile Award for its impactful project, Smiles for Life. This initiative focuses on vulnerable school communities, providing preventive dental care and education through three key pillars: education, treatment, and individualised follow-up. By bringing dental services directly to children, families, and schools, Smiles for Life ensures a sustainable approach to preventive care. The project was supported by local organisation Fundación Sonrisas and represented at the ceremony alongside the Chilean College of Dental Surgeons.
The Croatian Dental Society was also honoured with a Smile Award for its project, Oral Health Promotion Model Implementation in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Recognising a critical gap in children's oral health care, the society launched this initiative to raise awareness and demonstrate the effectiveness of preventive measures. Supported by the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the University of Rijeka, the project serves as a model for national reform in oral health policies.
Both projects highlight the power of community-based efforts in promoting oral health. By addressing the needs of underserved populations and advocating for preventive practices, the College of Dental Surgeons of Chile and the Croatian Dental Society are paving the way for healthier futures in their respective countries.