FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities.

FDI is the leading global body committed to oral health and develops educational programmes, awareness campaigns, congresses and initiatives aimed at progressing the field of dentistry. It also advocates for oral health to be prioritized in global health and development agendas and pushes for their integration in chronic disease prevention programmes.  

FDI membership comprises some 200 member dental associations in about 130 countries. It works at national and international level through its own activities and those of its member dental associations. It is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the World Health Professions Alliance WHPA.

Long before policy development and education for health was enshrined in the founding documents of the World Health Organization, FDI began developing educational curricula for the dental profession and strategies for bringing oral health care to people around the world.

FDI was founded in Paris in 1900 and its headquarters are currently located in Geneva, Switzerland.