title: The global network on dental education: a new vision for IFDEA.
abstract: The advent of globalization has changed our perspectives radically. It presents increased understanding of world affairs, new challenges and exciting opportunities. The inequitable distribution and use of finite energy resources and global warming are just two examples of challenges that can only be addressed by concerted international collaboration. Globalization has become an increasingly important influence on dentistry and dental education. The International Federation for Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA) welcomes the challenges it now faces as a player in a complex multifaceted global community. This report addresses the new circumstances in which IFDEA must operate, taking account of the recommendations made by other working groups. The report reviews the background and evolution of IFDEA and describes the extensive developments that have taken place in IFDEA over the past year with the introductions of a new Constitution and Bylaws overseen by a newly established Board of Directors. These were the consequence of a new mission, goals and objectives for IFDEA. An expanded organization is planned using http://www.IFDEA.org as the primary instrument to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, programmes and expertise between colleagues and federated associations throughout the world, thereby promoting higher standards in oral health through education in low-, middle- and high-income countries of the world. Such aspirations are modified by the reality and enormity of poverty-related global ill health.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murtomaa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cherrett
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrillo
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gadbury-Amyot
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Haden
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manogue
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mintz
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mulvihill
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nattestad
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ogunbodede
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parkash
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Plasschaert
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Valachovic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watkinson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shanley
mesh_terms: D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D004497:Education, Dental; D014943:Global Health; D006075:Governing Board; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007391:International Cooperation; D020407:Internet; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009909:Oral Health; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D012953:Societies, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration