EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
| INTERVIEWER Dr. Rockson Samuel Community Leader, DentalReach | INTERVIEWEE Mr. Enzo Bondioni Executive Director, FDI World Dental Federation |
FDI World Dental Congress | Prague | 6 September 2026
DentalReach spoke with Enzo Bondioni during the FDI World Dental Congress in Prague about how FDI is expanding professional education, improving access to global learning and supporting dentists during the earliest years of their careers. The discussion also looked ahead to the next World Dental Congress in Mumbai.
The Interview
Dr. Rockson Samuel
Hello and welcome to DentalReach. I am Dr. Rockson Samuel, joining you from the FDI World Dental Congress in Prague. Today, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Enzo Bondioni, Executive Director of FDI World Dental Federation. Mr. Bondioni, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here.
Continuing Education in a Rapidly Evolving Profession
Dr. Rockson Samuel
How is FDI helping dental professionals around the world keep their knowledge and clinical skills up to date through continuing education and professional development?
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
Continuing education and continuing professional development are core parts of FDI activities. Dentistry is evolving rapidly. We are seeing new technologies, new treatment approaches and a growing emphasis on integrating oral health into general health. Dental professionals must therefore continue developing their knowledge and clinical skills throughout their careers.
FDI provides a broad portfolio of continuing education opportunities. The largest of these is the FDI World Dental Congress. It is a truly global event. A dentist from India may speak during a scientific session, while a dentist from Switzerland or another country can learn from that presentation. The Congress brings professionals from different parts of the world together to exchange knowledge and experience.
It also gives young dentists and dental students opportunities to learn, meet established professionals and begin building their careers within the international dental community. Supporting the next generation of the profession is very dear to our hearts, which is why we develop dedicated programmes with and for young dentists and dental students, including initiatives such as the Young Dentists Forum, which has an Emerging Speaker Contest, as well as special registration fees for FDI Congresses to help make participation accessible.
Taking FDI Education to Different Regions
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
Another important part of our continuing education strategy is the FDI Regional Congress. A regional congress can be considered a smaller version of the World Dental Congress, bringing FDI educational opportunities closer to dental professionals within a particular geographical region.
Last year, for example, we organised successful regional congresses in Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica. We will also hold a regional congress in Kenya, providing dentists from across Africa with an opportunity to participate in an international educational programme closer to home. Another regional congress is planned for Cartagena, Colombia, for dental professionals in Latin America.
Anyone interested in participating can visit the FDI website to learn more about upcoming congresses and educational programmes.
Free Digital Education Through the FDI Oral Health Campus
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
Digital education is another essential part of our approach. FDI has developed the FDI Oral Health Campus, a digital learning platform that provides live and on-demand continuing education webinars. Registration is required, but access to the platform and its educational content is free.
Registered users receive notifications about upcoming webinars. They can participate in the live session or return to the platform later to watch the programme on demand. This makes continuing education more accessible to professionals who may not be able to travel to an international congress or attend a webinar at its scheduled time.
Expert Teaching and Hands On Clinical Training
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
We also offer the Master Continuing Education Programme, which currently focuses on adhesive and aesthetic dentistry. The programme combines expert-led teaching with hands-on clinical training. We work with our national member associations, which provide the local facilities, while FDI brings in the experts and supports the educational programme.
The number of participants is limited because it is an intensive practical course. The programme is accredited, offers continuing education credits and is certified by FDI. The modules are delivered in different parts of the world and are not restricted to a particular country, income group or region. We aim to provide opportunities in both higher-income and lower-resource settings.
Dr. Rockson Samuel
Is the Master Continuing Education Programme conducted alongside the annual World Dental Congress, or is it organised separately?
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
It is organised as a separate continuing education programme. For example, in collaboration with the Japan Dental Association, we delivered one module of the course in adhesive and aesthetic dentistry. It was a clinically focused programme with practical, hands-on training. We also delivered the full five-module course in Egypt and twice in India, and we’re very pleased with the success of this programme.
Helping Young Dentists Enter Professional Practice
Dr. Rockson Samuel
How is FDI supporting early-career dental professionals as they transition into clinical practice, build professional networks and develop their leadership potential?
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
The transition from dental school to professional life can sometimes be difficult. Young dentists must make important decisions at the very beginning of their careers. They need to find their place within the profession and learn how to navigate the professional environment.
FDI wants to support young dental professionals during this important stage. They are essential to the future of dentistry. Without a strong and adequately supported oral health workforce, we cannot deliver effective care to communities.
The FDI Young Dentists Forum is one of our key platforms. It gives young dentists a dedicated opportunity to meet, learn, exchange ideas and build relationships during the World Dental Congress. However, our support cannot end when the Congress concludes. The Congress is only one meeting, while professional development must continue throughout the year.
A Global Community for Mentorship and Collaboration
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
Here in Prague, we launched the FDI Young Dentists Community, a free global digital platform created particularly for dentists during the crucial early years of their careers. It offers opportunities for professional networking, knowledge exchange, support and mentorship.
Although designed to support young dentists, it is not restricted to them. Experienced dental professionals can join and contribute as mentors, sharing their experience with dentists who are just beginning their careers. Throughout the year, we plan to organise activities connecting mature and experienced professionals with early-career dentists.
The Young Dentists Forum and Young Dentists Community complement each other. The Forum provides a dedicated opportunity to meet, learn and share during the Congress, while the digital community keeps those connections and conversations active throughout the year.
Expanding Awareness and Participation in India
Dr. Rockson Samuel
Attending the FDI World Dental Congress has been a valuable and entirely different experience for me. It demonstrates how FDI is improving professional standards and encouraging collaboration across the global dental community. However, awareness of these international opportunities among dental students and young dentists in India remains limited, particularly outside major cities. I would like to support initiatives that improve awareness and participation in my country.
Mr. Enzo Bondioni
The next World Dental Congress in Mumbai will provide an excellent opportunity to involve even more young dentists from India. We expect a significant Young Dentists programme in Mumbai, together with an innovation component involving students, researchers and professionals interested in shaping the future of dentistry.
Looking Ahead to Mumbai
The conversation showed that FDI educational work extends well beyond its annual congress. Through global and regional events, free digital education, accredited practical programmes, professional communities and mentorship initiatives, FDI is developing a connected learning ecosystem for dental professionals at every stage of their careers.
The forthcoming FDI World Dental Congress in Mumbai, taking place from 21 to 24 October 2027, offers an important opportunity for Indian dental students, young dentists, educators, researchers and established clinicians to participate in this global exchange of knowledge. DentalReach looks forward to supporting greater awareness and encouraging the Indian dental community to make the most of this international platform.
