The Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health participated in the FDI World Dental Congress 2025, held in Shanghai, China, in September. The event brought together oral health leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across the globe to advance collaborative solutions for improving oral health equity and integration worldwide.
During the Congress, Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario, Director of the DeRouen Center, met with Professor Xinquan Jiang, Dean of the School of Stomatology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, to discuss opportunities for future collaboration. The visit marked an important milestone in the Center’s ongoing efforts to expand its international partnerships in research, education, and policy innovation.
Dr. Seminario also met with Nicole Rendell from the World Health Organization to explore synergies in policy implementation and data-driven approaches supporting the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030). In addition, she connected with Dr. Leenu Raju Maimanuku, Chief Dental Officer of Fiji, to exchange insights on strengthening oral health systems and workforce capacity in the Pacific region.
Throughout the Congress, discussions centered on major global initiatives including: “Sugar Reduction Strategies: From Policy to Cavity-Free”, “From Evidence to Action: Reducing Excessive Free Sugar Consumption with Smart Policies”, and “Vision 2030: Five Years, Five Years to Go on the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030).”
“It was inspiring to reconnect with our international colleagues and explore ways to jointly contribute to the global movement toward integrated and equitable oral health systems,” said Dr. Seminario.
The DeRouen Center looks forward to continued collaboration with its partners in China, the Pacific Islands, and global organizations as part of its mission to foster interdisciplinary and cross-border approaches to oral health challenges.