ISTANBUL: The FDI World Dental Congress 2024, a major international event in the field of dentistry, hosted in Istanbul from September 12 to 15. This year’s congress, co-hosted by the FDI World Dental Federation and the Turkish Dental Association, will take place at the Istanbul Congress Center (ICC) and the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).
As one of the largest healthcare congresses ever held in Türkiye, the event is expected to draw 15,000 participants and more than 150 companies. The press conference highlighted remarks from key figures, including Dr. Greg Chadwick, President of the FDI World Dental Federation, and Tarık İşmen, President of the Turkish Dental Association.
Dr. Chadwick emphasized the congress’s significance, noting that this year’s event features the most comprehensive scientific programme in its history. "The World Dental Congress is FDI’s flagship event, dedicated to strengthening connections and promoting collaboration within the global oral health community," said Chadwick. He highlighted the congress’s focus on digital dentistry, extensive learning opportunities through oral and e-poster presentations, and the introduction of the Young Dentists Forum, which supports the next generation of dental professionals.
The congress will include 279 expert speakers and offer interactive formats such as 10 meet-the-expert sessions and 28 hands-on workshops. The exhibition will showcase the latest innovations in the dental industry, fostering new partnerships and advancements in dental practice.
Dr. Chadwick also discussed the progress since the adoption of the “Istanbul Declaration” in 2013, which called for integrating oral health into overall health policies. This year’s congress aligns with FDI’s new 2024–2027 strategic plan, focusing on advocacy, knowledge exchange, and innovation. The congress will provide 144 CE credits across more than 150 sessions and address key topics such as digital dentistry, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence.
Tarık İşmen expressed his honor in hosting the event, highlighting its role in advancing dental knowledge and addressing new working models in dentistry. He emphasized the importance of flexible and sustainable solutions in dental practices, especially in response to challenges like the pandemic. The congress will also address oral health issues related to systemic conditions like diabetes and obesity and focus on early diagnosis and treatment strategies for oral cancer.
İşmen also underscored the need for better oral health care for migrants, advocating for more support from the World Health Organization and improved healthcare expenditures.
In addition to these topics, the congress will explore the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in dentistry and discuss the integration of oral health into overall health policies.
The FDI World Dental Federation, representing over 1 million dentists globally, and the Turkish Dental Association, representing over 50,000 dentists in Türkiye, are at the forefront of advancing global oral health.
This congress promises to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of dentistry and improving global oral health standards.
