FDI Global Caries Initiative phase 2: preparing the profession for change.

The Global Caries Initiative (GCI), was launched by FDI World Dental Federation in 2009, setting out an ambitious worldwide agenda together with a profession-led call to action, whose goal is ‘to improve oral health through the implementation of a new paradigm for managing dental caries and its consequences, one that is based on our current knowledge of the disease process and its prevention, so as to deliver optimal oral and thus general health and well being to all peoples by 2020’. FDI and its membership acknowledge that they have a singular role and responsibility in terms of caries management and leadership in any process of change. Together, they are working to reduce the burden of caries in the population worldwide. Their actions take place in the sphere of political advocacy, professional and public education, risk assessment, oral health assessment, evidence-based disease management and programmes for caries prevention, private practice and public health, as well as volunteer programmes. FDI membership has, through the Global Caries Initiative, reaffirmed the federation’s role as the global representative body of Dental Medicine and Oral Health. The priority areas identified in 2009 were: • The eradication of early childhood caries in children under 3 years of age • The primary and secondary prevention of caries and health promotion activities • The definition of a common language in cariology. FDI recognised that, for the Global Caries Initiative to achieve its goals, it would need to coordinate activities among multiple stakeholder groups and establish a broad alliance of key influencers and decision-makers from research, education, clinical practice, public health, government, business and industry and the public. There would also need to be a business case to demonstrate the benefits of expanding value around preventive dentistry and the development of an appropriate and sustainable business model.