The FDI World Dental Federation will accept applications for the World Dental Development Fund (WDDF) through June 15, 2021. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The fund backs initiatives that promote and improve oral health and prevent oral diseases in limited-income areas with oral health needs, FDI said.
FDI encourages applicants from within and outside its network. WDDF funding is available to nonmembers of FDI in addition to regular and associate members. To be eligible for funding, nonmember applicants must include an endorsement letter from a regular or associate FDI member national dental association.
Previous applicants have included ministries of health, national dental associations, nongovernmental associations, hospitals, and universities. FDI seeks projects that are designed to benefit individuals and communities with demonstrated oral health needs. It will prioritize projects with a prominent educational component and potential for sustainability. Projects should focus on at least one of the following:
- Disease prevention and/or eradication
- Education
- Oral health promotion
- Primary healthcare
- COVID-19 response
For example, the WDDF supports Comunidad Sonrisas, a community-based oral health program for children in Til Til, Chile, many of whom suffer from tooth decay. This initiative provides comprehensive oral healthcare for children through sustainable, community-based interventions. More than 500 children between the ages of 1 and 11 have received dental treatment and oral health education.
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