Ensuring the delivery of improved oral healthcare globally requires improvement on local, national and regional levels. To do so, FDI is committed to work with its members to identify their needs and support them wherever possible to achieve its Vision 2030 of achieving access to affordable and equitable oral healthcare for all, everywhere.

In November 2022, FDI member, the Macedonian Dental Chamber hosted the ‘K4’ meeting consisting of a group of four founding dental chambers in the region, in Skopje, capital city of the Republic of North Macedonia. Part of the “K4” meeting was dedicated to regional and international discussions aimed at finding solutions to promote oral health through cooperation.

FDI members in the region commit to improving cooperation for better oral health

The meeting took place within the framework of the 13^th Congress of New Technology under the patronage of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr Stevo Pendarovski, and featured political and professional meetings, an exhibition showcasing new technologies, international lectures and a rich cultural programme. The Congress provided a unique platform to delegates from different countries to get together and exchange ideas and participate in relevant discussions to advance the science and art of dentistry in the region.

The President of the Macedonian Dental Chamber, Dr Marijan Denkovski, and his team, extended the invitation to the meeting to guests from neighboring countries in the region and to FDI. Participants consisted of representatives from the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, the Dental Chamber of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian Dental Chamber, Republika Srpska Chamber of Dentists, Medical Chamber of Slovenia, Dental Chamber of Kosovo and Order of Dentists of Albania. At this occasion, the country representatives informed about the progress in the legislative area, but also about their individual needs and ways to strengthen institutions in charge of oral healthcare.

FDI also took this opportunity to raise the individual membership matters and encourage regional cooperation amongst the country representatives. The perceived value and relevance of FDI Membership in this part of the world is high, especially in the area of continuous education, webinars and FDI’s global actions to raise awareness of important issues in dentistry. During the meeting FDI was also awarded a plaque of recognition for the support to the work of Macedonian Dental Chamber. 

FDI warmly thanks the Macedonian Dental Chamber for the organization of the meeting and to the Government and the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia for their support. In their joint efforts for better oral health, they have provided the participants with exemplary opportunity to participate in rich dialogue, exchange of ideas and further cooperation.

FDI reiterates that regional cooperation is necessary to maintain dialogue and take steps in conjunction towards achieving better oral healthcare. This will result in greater impact to the national policies for better prevention, organized dentistry and better oral health for all.