Caption: The Chinese delegation at the recently concluded FDI World Dental Congress 2024 in Istanbul (Image: FDI World Dental Congress Shanghai 2025)
FDI World Dental Congress 2025 Shanghai ends with historic Smile Awards and innovation surge
SHANGHAI: The FDI World Dental Congress 2025 concluded on 12 September 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The four-day event brought together dental professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers under a theme of shaping global oral health through collaboration, education, and innovation.
Key highlights & innovations
- Scientific & educational programme: Over 100 Continuing Education-accredited academic sessions were held, with lectures, symposia and forums covering topics from implantology and digital dentistry to sustainability and the oral health needs of ageing populations.
- Massive exhibition floor: More than 700 exhibitors occupied a 60,000-square-meter exhibition hall, showcasing the latest in dental equipment, materials, techniques, and technology – both global firms and local Chinese manufacturers.
- Smile Awards 2025: The Australian Dental Association Dental Health Foundation and the Philippine Dental Association La Union Chapter won the Smile Grant awards for their outstanding community outreach and preventive oral health education strategies.
- Advocacy for ageing population: FDI launched its new guide titled “Oral Health for an Ageing Population”, aimed at equipping professionals and carers with tools to maintain oral health as part of healthy ageing. This includes assessment of frailty, oral functional decline, and tailored preventive strategies.
Challenges, trends & takeaways
- The congress reinforced the role of sustainability in dentistry: reducing environmental impacts of products and practices was a recurring theme.
- Emphasis on equity in care, especially for underserved communities, student mental health, and expanding preventive oral hygiene education. The Smile Awards winners exemplify community-centred programs that reach beyond clinic walls.
- Networking & global cooperation: Delegates from Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas and beyond used the platform to share best practices and plan for upcoming initiatives, including the FDI Vision 2030 goals.
What’s next
- FDI World Dental Congress 2026 is scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, with expectations to build on the momentum set in Shanghai.
- Further roll-out of guides and toolkits, especially those relating to oral health for ageing populations, sustainable dentistry, and community outreach.
Stay connected with Dental News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO JOIN our WhatsApp Community to get expert clinical tips, industry updates, and research insights straight to your phone.