CDA Essentials 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 7

9 Issue 7 | 2018 | CDA at W ork T his year’s FDI World Dental Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was CDA’s flagship event for international relations. At the Congress, participants from 130 member countries, repre- senting over 1 million dentists worldwide, gather for the common purpose of strengthening collaboration within the global health commu- nity; it is a great opportunity to share knowledge with people at the forefront of issues in oral health. The official CDA delegation, along with representatives from CDSPI and the Royal Canadian Dental Corps, made strong contributions to FDI’s work in policy develop- ment and international advocacy. A highlight of this year’s Congress was the adoption of 10 new FDI policy statements by the FDI General Assembly. Canadian dentistry participated in the discussions that led to the development of the policy statements, which are all available on the FDI website ( fdiworlddental.org ) . These policy statements are foundational advocacy tools used both internationally and here in Canada. Two examples of new policies that are timely and relevant for Canada are Providing Basic Oral Healthcare for Displaced Persons (refugees) and Dentistry and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders . Another key publication that launched during the Congress was Dental Ethics Manual 2, the second edition of this useful resource for all dentists. My personal contribution to the 2018 Congress was serving as chair of the FDI Budget Reference Committee, an appointed 5-member committee tasked with reviewing FDI’s 2019 budget and making comments and recommendations for adopting the budget and improving the process going forward. I’m happy to report that the FDI is in a very good financial position, with healthy reserves and a good budget process that ensures dollars are spent on supporting FDI priorities. It was also a memorable year at the FDI Congress because CDA was recognized with a special honour. The FDI “Member Supports Member” award recognized CDA’s ongoing support of delegates from Afghanistan and Cambodia at the FDI Congress. Dr. Farzana Nawabi, past- president of the Afghanistan Dental Association, and Dr. Solita Yam, past-president of the Cambodian Dental Association, are women in leadership who overcame challenges to participate at the FDI Congress; CDA is proud to have played a part in encouraging women from developing countries to be part of global efforts in organized dentistry. And finally, CDA past-president Dr. Jack Cottrell was elected by acclamation as FDI treasurer for a second three-year term. Dr. Cottrell also announced his candidacy for FDI president-elect in the FDI 2019 election, which will be held in San Francisco in September 2019. Dr. Cottrell is highly regarded for his many accomplishments in dentistry, both nationally and internationally, and for the great leadership he’s shown at CDA and FDI. He will have CDA’s full support in his bid for the FDI president-elect position next year. Overall, Canadian dentistry made exceptional contributions at FDI this year. It was a rewarding experience to work side by side with international colleagues on issues that have an impact on our profession and our patients, no matter where they practice around the world. From the President Michel (Mitch) Taillon, dmd president@cda-adc.ca Supporting One Million Dentists Worldwide at FDI