Youngguk Park Elected as Next President of the World Dental Federation

Two-Year Term Starting September 2027
Second Korean to Serve as President

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on September 8 that Youngguk Park, Chief Financial Officer of the World Dental Federation (FDI), was elected as the next president at the "2025 World Dental Federation (FDI) General Assembly" held in Shanghai, China the previous day.

Youngguk Park, Next President of the World Dental Federation

The World Dental Federation, founded in 1900 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is an oral health organization dedicated to promoting research and clinical exchanges between countries, as well as conducting global campaigns to improve oral health worldwide. It currently has over 1 million dentist members from 132 countries. Korea joined the organization in 1959.

Youngguk Park will serve as president for a two-year term from September 2027 to September 2029. This marks the second time in history that a Korean has been elected as president of the World Dental Federation, following the late former president Yoon Heungryul, who served from 2003 to 2005.

Born in 1956, Youngguk Park graduated from Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry and has held positions including Dean of the School of Dentistry, Director of the Dental Hospital, and Vice President at Kyung Hee University. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Financial Officer of the World Dental Federation.

He stated, "This has given me an opportunity to reflect on the global trust and stature of Korean dentists, and with it, our roles and responsibilities have grown. Moving forward, I will work to define the roles and responsibilities of dentists in improving public oral health and strive for Korea to take the lead on global issues."

Kwak Soonheon, Director General of Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "The election of a Korean as the next president of the World Dental Federation is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the international standing and expertise of Korea’s dental community. The government will use this accomplishment as an opportunity to further promote the development of global oral health and strengthen international cooperation."