The International Dental Manufacturers (IDM) held its General Assembly on 5 September 2026 during the FDI World Dental Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. Members from the member associations participated in person and virtually.
New Board of Officers 2026–2028
The General Assembly unanimously elected the following Board of Officers for the 2026–2028 term:
• President: Olaf Sauerbier (VOCO GmbH, Europe / FIDE)
• President-Elect: Tim Long (A-dec Inc., USA / DTA)
• Vice President: Yutaka Shinozaki (GC Corporation, Japan / JDTA)
• Immediate Past President: Samantha Cheetham (SDI Limited, Australia / ADIA)
Mr. Sauerbier, who also serves as President of FIDE – The Federation of the European Dental Industry, succeeds Samantha Cheetham, who has led IDM since September 2024.
"As IDM President, my priorities are clear: we must address the growing regulatory burden that threatens innovation and product availability, and we must take a firm stand against counterfeit dental products that put patients at risk. IDM will be the voice of the industry on both fronts,” said Mr. Sauerbier.
Key Topics
The General Assembly addressed a broad range of issues facing the global dental manufacturing industry, including:
• Regulatory burden: The increasing complexity and divergence of regulatory frameworks across regions, which raise costs, slow innovation and may limit product availability for patients
• Counterfeit products: The growing threat of counterfeit dental products posing risks to patient safety and undermining legitimate manufacturers
• Global oral health: Updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FDI World Dental Federation
About IDM
IDM represents approximately 1,900 dental manufacturers and suppliers across Europe, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Australia through its seven member associations: ABIMO, ADIA, AMIC, DIAC, DTA, FIDE and JDTA. IDM advocates for the interests of the global dental manufacturing industry with governments, international organizations and the dental profession.
Next Meeting
The next IDM General Assembly will be held on Thursday, 18 March 2027, during IDS – the International Dental Show – in Cologne, Germany.
