ECU dental school dean finishes term as president of international group

Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, recently completed his two-year term as president of the FDI World Dental Federation.

Through the experience, Chadwick shared the mission and vision of the dental school as it aligns with international efforts to promote oral health as a vital part of overall health — and bridged global ideas with parallel patient topics in eastern North Carolina and the state.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, FDI leads the world to optimal dental health through policy, education and advocacy.

Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the ECU School of Dental Medicine, prepares for the FDI World Dental Federation Congress in Shanghai in September, where he completed his two-year term as president of the international dental organization. (Photo courtesy of FDI)

“I want to sincerely thank Dr. Greg Chadwick for his dedication and commitment,” said Enzo Bondioni, FDI executive director. “I feel truly fortunate to have had Greg as a mentor, confidant and friend. His openness, kindness and willingness to listen have meant a great deal, and I have valued the trust and support he has always shown. His exceptional leadership and contributions have left a lasting impact, for which I am deeply grateful.”

FDI’s membership includes nearly 200 national member associations and specialist groups in more than 130 countries, making it the premier representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide.

“It was really special to carry ECU’s flag around the world,” Chadwick said after arriving back on campus following the September FDI World Dental Congress in Shanghai. “It was wonderful for ECU to have a seat at the table and be represented in the international conversations around oral health.”

Chadwick addressed the congress one last time, speaking to dental professionals from all over the world.

“Serving as FDI president has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” he said. “Over the past year, we have seen encouraging momentum from our advocacy efforts. Oral health is no longer on the sidelines of the global health discourse; it is steadily gaining the recognition it deserves.”

While FDI’s reach is global, its goals translate to the mission of the dental school — from bringing oral health into a broader overall health conversation to ensuring access to dental care for all who need it. FDI works closely with United Nations agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups to align on oral health care initiatives across the globe, working from a strategic plan highlighted with priorities based in research and evidence-based care as well as dialogue, advocacy and innovation.

“As I conclude my term as president, I look forward to continuing in my role as dean of the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine,” Chadwick told the Congress. “I remain deeply committed to playing a role improving oral health, educating the next generation of dentists and continuing to change the conversation to make sure that oral health is an integral part of overall health and universal health coverage, and to advancing an issue that is too often overlooked —   oral health for persons with special health care needs.”

Chadwick said improving access to care for this special patient population is critical worldwide.

“Addressing the challenge that this population faces requires global collaboration and awareness,” he said, “expanding provider education and improving access to care. We must ensure that when oral health is included in broader health agendas, that the very real needs of this vulnerable population are never left behind.”

Chadwick’s achievements during his term as president were significant, said FDI Communications Manager Roshana Saleem.

Under his leadership, the organization finalized its strategic plan through 2027, cut ties with sugar-related industries, held regional congresses in Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica and held quarterly briefings with FDI members.

Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the ECU School of Dental Medicine, recently completed his two-year term as president of the FDI World Dental Federation.

Chadwick also participated in the first-ever WHO Global Oral Health Meeting in Bangkok in 2024, where FDI was invited to join the Global Coalition on Oral Health. He led efforts to prepare for the United Nations meeting on noncommunicable diseases and oversaw two FDI World Dental Congress sessions in Istanbul and Shanghai.

During the Shanghai meeting, Chadwick formally handed the role of president over to Dr. Nikolai Sharkov, an oral health care leader and dentist from Bulgaria.

“I warmly congratulate and thank my colleague and friend, Dr. Greg Chadwick, for his outstanding and dedicated service to FDI,” Sharkov said. “His strategic leadership in advancing FDI’s position on sugar reduction has strengthened our global impact. By championing evidence-based policies and global advocacy efforts that place oral health at the center of public health discussions, he has supported efforts to ensure that oral health is firmly recognized as an integral part of overall health. His guidance has shaped FDI in ways that will continue to benefit our global community for many years to come.”

Chadwick has been involved in FDI leadership since 2000, when he attended the group’s congress in Paris as a delegate for the American Dental Association (ADA). He served as president-elect for two years before taking over the post in 2023; he served as FDI treasurer prior to that and was the speaker of the FDI General Assembly for six years. He served as president of the ADA in 2001-02 and as president of numerous other dental organizations, including the North Carolina Dental Society, the Second District Dental Society and the Southern Endodontic Study Group.

Chadwick’s leadership on national and international stages places a spotlight on ECU and the dental school as they continue to improve the quality of life for North Carolinians.

“It’s hard to imagine a better leader for the FDI who also represents dentistry in the United States, dental education and a school that is fully committed to serving the people who most need care,” said Vice Dean Dr. Margaret Wilson.

Chadwick, a native North Carolinian, earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1973 from UNC–Chapel Hill and is a fellow of the American Colleges of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

He practiced endodontics in his hometown of Charlotte before heading into dental education. He served for 18 years as a part-time clinical professor at his alma mater and for 14 years as chair of the endodontic section at Carolinas Medical Center, where he served on the faculty for over 25 years.

Chadwick joined the effort to create the ECU School of Dental Medicine in the early 2000s. He was hired as associate vice chancellor for oral health in 2005 and twice served as the school’s interim dean and as associate dean for planning and extramural affairs before being named dean in September 2012. Under his leadership, ECU graduated its inaugural class in 2015 and established the first of the school’s community service learning centers in 2012, a year after those first students began classes.

During his career, Chadwick has earned numerous professional and academic awards, including the UNC Board of Governors’ 2017 Gov. James E. Holshouser Award for Excellence in Public Service, awarded to one faculty member from the UNC System who exemplifies public service toward improving the quality of life for all North Carolinians. He was also selected by a 24-member board from all 17 districts in the International College of Dentists USA Section as Outstanding Dental Leader in 2015. In 2019, the dental school received the William J. Gies Award for Innovation in an Academic Institution.

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