About us
The European Regional Organization of the FDI World Dental Federation is a non-profit association established in accordance with the FDI Constitution, registered in the Swiss Canton of Geneva. It associates member organizations of the FDI from the European Geographical Area.
The beginnings of ERO date back to 1955 when a Special Commission for European Cooperation was established as response to the request of some European member associations of the FDI. In 1964 the FDI General Assembly adopted a resolution founding the European Regional Organisation within FDI. ERO was the first regional organisation of the FDI and thus served as model for the other regional organisations.
In 2011 ERO counts member associations from 37 countries and has fixed as goal to help dental associations from all 53 European countries (WHO European Region) to join ERO.
ERO objectives
ERO aims at promoting the concept of dentistry as an independent profession based on the principle of freedom of choice in the relationship between dentist and patient.
ERO works under the vision and mission of FDI, developing policies, reports and resolutions in order to influence the activities of FDI.
ERO supports its member organizations in providing the best possible oral and general health to the patients.
ERO promotes and supports European and national health policies that respect the ethical principles and professional standards.
ERO resolutions, expressing the views of European dentists, are valuable documents serving as background and supportive papers for national dental organizations in their contacts with local authorities.
ERO activities
The Plenary Session – ERO's supreme authority composed of delegates of all member organizations – gathers twice a year.
Day-to-day management of ERO is a task of the Board – President, President-Elect, Secretary General and 2 Board members (one as Treasurer) elected for 3 years at the Plenary Session.
Working Groups are set up and composed of internal (NDA) and external experts nominated by the Plenary Session. Working Groups consider and examine in detail matters of particular importance to the dental profession, gather relevant information and elaborate drafts of ERO resolutions and other documents.
There are currently 8 ERO Working Groups:
- WG Quality,
- WG Liberal Dental Practice in Europe,
- WG Relation Between Dental Practitioners and Universities,
- WG Integration,
- WG Prevention,
- WG Education,
- WG Women in Dentistry,
- WG Dental Team.
ERO closely co-operates with the various FDI agencies in Europe and with other dental organisations in Europe.
ERO office
ERO’s official seat is at the FDI headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The ERO-Secretariat is located in Guemligen (near Bern), Switzerland.