The FDI WDC 2023 is set to be the biggest footprint of any event in the Australian city since the pandemic.

Australia: The Australian Dental Association (ADA) will be hosting the FDI (Fédération Dentaire Internationale) World Dental Congress 2023 from September 24 to 27 at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in Darling Harbour.

This event, which will be the biggest footprint of any event in Sydney since the pandemic, is shaping up as a brilliant return to form for the Australian Dental Association (ADA). The last time Australia hosted the FDI World Dental Congress was in 2003.

10 Years in the Making

The story of how Australia came to win the bid to host the FDI World Dental Congress actually started 10 years ago, says Dr Stephen Liew, Federal President of the Australian Dental Association.

It was exactly ten years after Sydney played host to the last global event when Dr Shane Fryer, ADA Past President and Chair of the FDI Local Organising Committee, and whom Liew regards as Australia’s “FDI ambassador”, put in the bid and led a successful campaign to convince the FDI Council that Australia would be ripe for yet another opportunity to host.

No stranger to staging major events for dentists, Liew says that Sydney is already home to a large-scale dental show.

“The Australian Dental Congress is one of the biggest events on the calendar, and it would normally draw between 4000 to 6000 people, which is quite large. It’s the premier dental event that happens every two years run by the ADA,” he adds.

“This year, the FDI Congress replaces the Australian Dental Congress, and the ADA is working in partnership with the FDI to deliver the event.”

The ADA-run Congresses have attracted a well-deserved reputation for offering world-class instruction from leaders in the profession, exhibitions that showcase a global array of cutting-edge products and services, and social events that offer the opportunity to connect with fellow dentists and dental professionals.

“Tight Decision” Going Virtual in 2021

According to Oscar van Elten, General Manager, Events & Sales, ADA, events of the FDI Congress’ size and scale don’t magically come into being and are the result of a great deal of hard work behind the scenes.

The FDI World Dental Federation initially awarded the World Dental Congress to Australia for 2021. But the pandemic eventually meant that the in-person iteration of the event had to pivot to an online event in very short order.

“We worked on what we assumed would be a physical event until the pandemic. It was disappointing when we found out there was a very high likelihood we would not be able to hold it in person,” he recalls.  

“We had to make the call based on risk. And it was a very tight decision because you don’t want to cancel an in-person Congress unless you really have to. But it came down to the wire of risk tolerance. And eventually we set a date and just made a decision that it was time to pivot to virtual.”

Liew reminds us that nobody had anticipated the online migration so it took an eleventh hour scramble to secure rooms at the Sydney Convention Centre to set up an online lecture platform and build the necessary infrastructure to live-stream the event.

Pent-up Demand for In-Person Events

While the virtual event was a great success, organisers are looking forward to staging what will be the first in-person World Dental Congress since San Francisco (USA) in 2019.

“We’re very thankful to the New South Wales government who have held over their support for two years to enable this to continue as well as our partners Qantas,” Liew says.

The experience of having to pivot at the very last minute, he adds, holds the organisers in a better stead this time around, at least to think on their feet and react to changing circumstances.

“And it also has honed our ability to make sure that if you can’t attend in person, we can work out a way of assisting you to view the content later,” he says confidently.

“However, this event is very, very much geared towards in person attendance, because there is a real drive for the dental community to get together again.”

Scientific Programme: From General to Future-Oriented Dentistry

This year’s World Dental Congress will reflect the well-run nature and quality of its predecessors, evident in the quality of the main scientific programme (MSP) which offers more than 220 sessions.

The MSP will take place over multiple streams taking place concurrently with an extensive range of engaging topics such as “The significance of radiographic incidental findings”, “The use of cone-beam CT imaging in endodontic diagnosis and treatment” and “The ABCs of panoramic radiology”.

The intent is to develop a program that “gives a very broad hands up on many, but not all the trends in dentistry” according to Dr Hugo Sachs, former ADA President and Chair of the FDI Scientific Programme Division (SPD) which reports to the National Organising Committee for the event.

Dr Liew says he is most looking forward to the future-oriented lectures, including Prof Richard Su’s “3D printing in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction”; Dr Adalberto de Paula Souza Jnr’s “Digital orthodontics: From concept to reality”; Prof Georgios Romanos’ “Laser applications in soft tissues for the general practitioners”.

“There’s also one on “Cold hydraulic condensation with pre-mixed bioceramic sealers in daily practice” (by Prof Filippo Cardinali) that to me, is extremely interesting,” he adds.

The distinguished line-up of international speakers also includes: Prof Hien Ngo (Australia), Prof Satoshi Imazato (Japan), Prof S.M. Balaji (India), Prof Ian Meyers (Australia), Prof Ki-Tae Koo (South Korea) and Prof Lakshman P. Samaranayake (Hong Kong).

Cathartic Experience

In addition to the MSP, there will be a range of other activities on offer throughout the event, including pre-congress courses, workshops, and special sessions. Attendees can also look forward to the exhibition component of the congress, which will feature over 300 companies showcasing the latest products and services in the dental industry. The exhibition will take place across four days and will be an excellent opportunity for attendees to explore the latest advances in dental technology and connect with industry leaders and experts.

No dental congress would be complete without networking opportunities, and the FDIWDC23 promises to deliver in this regard. Attendees will have the chance to attend social events, including the opening ceremony and welcome reception, the gala dinner, and various other networking opportunities throughout the event.

“I just think it’s so exciting when you can walk into a room and meet dental professionals from all over the world,” Liew says.

“I was in Geneva last year attending the FDI World Dental Federation Parliament and it was just so cathartic to share how we all got through things like the pandemic, but also what they feel are the most up to date clinical techniques, the environment of the industry in their country.

“You just can’t get that kind of interaction anywhere else. I found the World Dental Congress overwhelmingly inspiring, actually reassuring. But also, it’s where you can make lifelong friends.”

These events will provide attendees with the chance to connect with colleagues and industry leaders from around the world, fostering new relationships and strengthening existing ones.

Make the Most of your FDI Congress Visit

To overseas visitors making their first trip to Australia, Dr Liew recommends extending their stay to tour the rest of the country.

“You can explore Sydney surrounds like the Blue Mountains and the North Coast. But while you’re here, one thing we forget, in Australia is that all of our vast country is accessible by plane to the major cities so you’d also consider flying across to Perth to enjoy it. If you’re coming from Asia or New Zealand, why not do a stop here?” the ADA Federal President suggests.

“Melbourne is a phenomenal foodie paradise and a music and artistic hub of the country. And of course, you’ve got tropical north Queensland, which is just outstanding. And Central Australia with its indigenous culture, is unbeatable.”

As the world continues to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, the importance of in-person events such as the FDIWDC23 cannot be overstated. They provide opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, all of which are essential in driving progress and improving patient care.

The FDIWDC23 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the world of dentistry, and attendees can look forward to an enriching and unforgettable experience. With its extensive scientific programme, world-class exhibition, and exciting social events, the Congress is poised to be a highlight of the year for dental professionals around the world.

Click to register for the FDI World Dental Congress 2023 in Sydney.