Section of Defense Forces Dental Services

Defense Forces Dental Services provides a global forum for the exchange of ideas, innovations and concepts relevant to dentistry in the defense forces.

Executive Committee

Chair
CAPT (N) Nanda van de Kraats-van Klink
Netherlands
Vice-Chair
COL Stephen J. Tanner
United States of America
Secretary
COL Jefri Razak
Brunei Darussalam
Treasurer
BGEN Jean-Pierre Picard
Canada
Executive Officer
COL Catherine Prineas
Australia
Africa representative
MAJ Dr Ibrahima Badji
Senegal
South America Representative
COM (S) Luis Felipe Jimenez Squella
Chile
Asia Representative
LT GEN Vineet Sharma
India
SDFDS - Istanbul meeting 2024

SDFDS ANNUAL MEETING 2024

The Annual Meeting of the SDFDS was held in Istanbul, Turkiye from 09 to 12 September 2024 prior to the FDI Annual World Dental Congress. A Welcome Reception was held on 09 September 2023 at the Ahali Tesvikiye Restaurant in Istanbul where 61 delegates and accompanying persons from 21 countries were welcomed by Chair of the SDFDS Executive Committee, Capt (Navy) Nanda van de Kraats-van Klink from the Netherlands.

The Scientific Programme was held over two days at the Istanbul Congress Center. A total of 24 presentations were delivered across 5 themed-sessions, namely; Innovations in Military Dentistry, Strategising Service Delivery, Ensuring Operational Readiness, Optimising Clinical Care and Operational Military Dentistry. An open discussion forum on the contemporary topic of ‘Incorporating Digital Dentistry into Military Dentistry’ saw active engagement by many participants eager to share their experiences and learning for the benefit of all. A presentation and product display was held by Aseptico USA as sole sponsor for the meeting, showcasing their latest deployable dental equipment.

During the Cultural Day, delegates took a Ferry Cruise on the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi, a charming fishing village on Asian Shore. After a traditional seafood lunch, delegates hiked to the hilltop of the Byzantine Yoros Castle ruins and were rewarded with spectacular views of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. The day ended with a tour of the Spice Bazaar and the Blue Mosque in Sultan Ahmet Square.

The SDFDS Executive Committee extends their deepest appreciation to all the delegates for attending the meeting and those that had contributed in making the event such a fruitful and memorable success! The meeting ended with a presentation by representatives of PLA China as the next host nation, followed by the Closing Ceremony. We look forward to meeting everyone again at SDFDS 2025 in Xi’an China!

Defense Forces Dental Services

Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic the SDFDS had to organize their second virtual meeting. Hosted, organized and moderated by the Australian Armed Forces 116 military dentists from all over the world listened to 8 very interesting presentations. Dental fitness is our key topic but ofcourse the impact of COVID-19 on military dentistry was not ignored.

We were honored by the attendance and opening by the president of the FDI DR Seeberger. Hopefully next year we can all meet each other physically and continue to share our knowledge and friendship.

By-Laws

1900-2004 FDI Section of Defence Forces Dental Services

  1. Name
    FDI Section of Defence Forces Dental Services
     
  2. FDI Constitution
     
    1. Objectives
      (Article III) "The objectives of the FDI shall be to represent the profession of dentistry on a voluntary, non-governmental, international basis; to arrange an Annual World Dental Congress and to establish and encourage international programmes which will advance the science and art of dentistry and the status of the profession of dentistry in the interest of improved oral and general health for all peoples."
       
    2. Sections
      (Paragraph 3.8 of Regulations)
      • Paragraph 3.8.1 "Sections are groups of individuals with a common occupation or special interest in a specific area of dentistry"
      • Paragraph 3.8.2: "A Section of the FDI may be established by the Council."
      • Paragraph 3.8.3: "The Section Executive shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Section and the election of the Executive shall be ratified by the Council. All members of the Section Executive shall be members of a Regular or Association Member Association of the FDI or be Individual Members of the FDI. By-laws of a Section shall be approved by the Council and the Sections shall report and be accountable to the Council."
      • Paragraph 3.8.4: "Possible costs for the respective Sections shall be estimated and submitted to the Finance Committee."
         
  3. Role and Responsibilities
    The role and responsibilities of the Section of Defence Forces Dental Services are:
    • To provide a world forum for the exchange of ideas, innovations and concepts within the areas of Defence Forces Dental Services.
    • To recruit and retain Members of the Section, to interact with these Members and to facilitate communication between the Members of the Section.
    • To develop and propose educational programmes for the Annual World Dental Congress and for other FDI Conferences.
    • To develop and submit draft FDI Statements to the council and to regularly update such Statements.
    • To provide reports and papers for consideration for publication in the publications of the FDI and/or on the FDI's website.
    • To interact with other international and national organisations on behalf of FDI, as agreed.
    • To provide expertise in the area to the Council.
    • To submit a proposed budget for the activities of the Section annually.
    • To report to and interact with the Executive Office throughout the year.
    • To provide at least one written report to the Council annually.
       
  4. Membership
    Any individual who is a Regular Force Officer, Reserve Officer, Retired Officer or who has an interest in an affiliation to military dentistry may become and be a Member of the Section.
     
  5. Annual subscription
    In accordance with the unanimous vote of the SDFDS membership (Vienna 2002), and as approved by the FDI Executive Director, it was decided that a tuition fee equivalent to $50 USD will be imposed on all military delegates to the annual SDFDS meeting.
     
  6. Executive
    • The Executive of the Section consists of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and four Members, who shall all be Members of a Regular or Associate Member Association of the FDI.
    • Nominations for the positions on the Section Executive may be submitted by Member Associations and by the Members of the Section. (Provided the proposed new wording of paragraph 3.8.3 of the Constitution is approved by the General Assembly, the following text applies):
      • The Members of the Executive are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Section for a term of three years and may be elected for only one additional three-year term. The elections are to be ratified by the Council. (If the current wording of paragraph 3.8.3 of the Constitution remains unchanged, the following text applies):
        • On the recommendation of the Section, the Members of the Executive are appointed by the Council for a term of three years and may be appointed for only one additional three year term.
           
  7. Business meetings
    A business meeting of the Section may be organised by the Executive at the Annual Word Dental Congress for discussions about membership, budgets, programmes and activities of the Section, regarding the Executive and any other business.
     
  8. Ammendments of By-laws
    The by-laws of the Section may be amended by the Council - after consultation with and on the recommendation of the Section.