Celebrating World Endodontic Day: A Global Spotlight on Saving Teeth
On October 16, the global endodontic community will come together to celebrate World Endodontic Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness about the specialty of endodontics and its vital role in preserving natural teeth.
Origins of World Endodontic Day
The concept was first proposed by Dr. Gopi Krishna, President Elect of the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA), during the World Endodontic Congress in Chile in 2022. His idea of “having a common annual day of celebration for Endodontics globally” was unanimously approved by member societies and associations. We caught up with him recently to dig into the origins and meanings behind the special endodontic holiday.
Why October 16?
After much deliberation, IFEA chose October 16 to honor two milestones. First, it marks the birthdate of Dr. Louis Grossman, one of the foundational fathers of modern endodontics. Second, it commemorates the month when IFEA was formally registered. As the organization explains, “we choose October 16th as a day to dedicate and commemorate the world of Endodontics”.
Global Participation
Today, 49 national endodontic associations and societies—including the American Association of Endodontists—are official partners in celebrating the day. The list spans every continent:
Australian Society of Endodontology (Australia)
Bangladesh Endodontic Society (Bangladesh)
Belgian Association for Endodontology and Traumatology (Belgium)
Brazilian Endodontics Society (Brazil)
Canadian Academy of Endodontics (Canada)
Chilean Endodontic Society (Chile)
Colombian Endodontic Association (Colombia)
Croatian Society of Endodontology (Croatia)
Czech Endodontic Society (Czech)
Egyptian Association of Endodontists (Egypt)
Association For Endodontics For Ecuador (Ecuador)
Finnish Endodontic Society (Finland)
French Society of Endodontics (France)
Academia de Endodontia de Guatemala (Guatemala)
German Society of Endodontology and Traumatology (Germany)
Greece: Hellenic Society of Endodontics (Greece)
Hong Kong Endodontic Society (Hongkong)
Indian Endodontic Society (India)
Indonesian Endodontic Association (Indonesia)
Iranian Association of Endodontists (Iran)
Iraqi Endodontic Society (Iraq)
Israel Endodontic Society (Israel)
Italian Endodontic Society (Italy)
Japan Endodontic Association (Japan)
Jordanian Endodontic Society (Jordan)
Korean Academy of Endodontics (Korea)
Lebanese Society of Endodontology (Lebanon)
Lithuanian Society of Endodontology (Lithuania)
Malaysian Endodontic Society (Malaysia)
Mexico Endodontic Association (Mexico)
Moroccan Academy Of Endodontics (Morocco)
Netherland Association for Endodontics (Netherland)
New Zealand Society of Endodontics (New Zealand)
Pakistan Association of Operative Dentistry & Endodontic (Pakistan)
Peruvian Endodontic Society (Peru)
Portuguese Society of Endodontology (Portugal)
Endodontic Society of the Philippines (Philippines)
Saudi Endodontic Society (Saudi Arabia)
Spanish Association of Endodontics (Spain)
Swiss Society for Endodontology (Switzerland)
Academy of Endodontology R.O.C. (Taiwan)
Thai Endodontic Association (Thailand)
Turkish Endodontic Society (Turkey)
Emirates Endodontic Society (UAE)
Ukrainian Endodontic Association (Ukraine)
British Endodontic Society (UK)
Uruguay Endodontic Society (Uruguay)
American Association of Endodontists (USA)
Venezuelan Society of Endodontics (Venezuela)
Raising Public Awareness
While endodontists and dentists already conduct numerous conferences and meetings worldwide, World Endodontic Day is unique in its outward focus. According to IFEA, “we do not have a combined global platform aimed towards the public in improving their awareness regarding prevention, treatment and preservation of natural dentition. This day would bring public focus on the relevance of endodontics in improving the quality of general health of an individual”.
2025 Celebrations
This year, IFEA is hosting an online Global Endodontic Symposium by eminent academicians Prof. Jose F. Siqueira Jr and Dr. Jeeraphat Jantarat that telecast online for the benefit of all dentists and students present in the 49 member countries of IFEA.
“We recommend national societies to conduct public awareness campaigns in the form of social media campaigns, print and radio awareness interviews to sensitize the general public regarding our specialty.”
How Members Can Participate
Individual endodontists and AAE members can join in by celebrating in their own practices—educating patients about modern advances that make root canal treatment more predictable and painless. As IFEA notes, “we are recommending dentists and endodontists to celebrate this day in their practices by sharing information about newer advances in technology and materials”.
Inspiration from Past Events
Previous celebrations have been ambitious and inspiring. For example, the Indian Endodontic Society organized a nationwide campaign spanning 22 cities and broadcast in 12 languages, with a unified message: “Endodontists are dental specialists in saving natural teeth”.
Looking Ahead
IFEA will conduct its 2028 World Endodontic Congress in New York in partnership with the AAE in 2028. Members are encouraged to save the dates Sept. 13-17, 2028.
The Key Takeaway
The message of World Endodontic Day is simple yet powerful: “Endodontics helps us preserve your natural teeth for a healthy smile and a healthy life!!”
Learn more about IFEA at ifeaendo.org.