International College of Dentists Transitions Senior Dental Leadership Program to Global Oral Health Leadership Institute

The International College of Dentists (ICD) has announced the transition of its Senior Dental Leadership Program to the ICD Global Oral Health Leadership (GOHL) Institute, with the goal of dental leadership development globally. It will offer a year-long program, including a 5-day residential and multiple educational and networking opportunities, building off successful efforts according to ICD International President Argirios Pissiotis.

“The ICD began its second centennial a few years ago and had been making efforts, such as achieving consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and collaborating with World Health Organization initiatives, to increase the Colleges’ global footprint,” Pissiotis said in a press release from the company. “Now, the ICD has reached an even higher level towards improving global health through the procurement of this rebranded Global Oral Health Leadership Institute.”

Previously known as the Senior Dental Leaders Program, the GOHL has reportedly graduated more than 200 potential leaders across 43 countries, according to the press release. Professor Raman Bedi, the founder of the original program, emphasized the importance of leadership in driving change, particularly in child oral health.

“It has been a privilege to have led the Senior Dental Leadership program over the past 14 years. Good leadership brings about change, and SDL has reinforced its importance in improving child oral health,” Bedi said in the press release. “As the new President-elect of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, my first task will be establishing a global public health leadership program so that our public health colleagues can benefit from effective leadership networks.”

Henry Schein has also reinforced its partnership with the ICD through its academic partners Harvard School of Dental Medicine and King’s College London. This global network has also spawned ICD’s Alumni Network, which encourages membership to enhance global oral health initiatives.