Did you know that one in five dentists worldwide is Brazilian? In fact, Brazil holds the record for the largest number of dentists worldwide, with more than 450,000 registered professionals. The country also houses approximately 50% of the world’s dental schools. Despite this massive scale and expertise, the College faced a complex set of hurdles that caused our presence there to nearly vanish.

Navigating the Pandemic Slump

The Brazil District of ICD Section IV South America entered a period of stagnation around the time the COVID-19 pandemic began. Older members in the District struggled with the sudden reality of social distancing and isolation, which led to a pause in regular activities. Furthermore, membership had become prohibitively expensive amid severe global financial constraints. Lastly, there was a perception that the District was overly focused on São Paulo, leaving the rest of this diverse nation feeling disconnected from the community when they needed it most.

To address these challenges head-on, the District leadership performed a SWOT analysis. This strategic evaluation of the District’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats helped it discover a vital opportunity: it could bridge the gap by aligning with the local Brazilian Dental Academies. Like ICD, these Dental Academies are high-merit honorary societies that represent the pinnacle of achievement, with membership among the highest honors a Brazilian dentist can receive.

Strategic Institutional Symbiosis

By identifying these local academies as a strength to leverage, the District implemented a symbiotic model. Instead of establishing a separate, expensive entity, the District integrated with these existing institutions. This enabled it to leverage its local infrastructure and deep roots, while giving its members access to the ICD global network.

This approach changed the District’s trajectory. It began with a core group from the Paraná State Dental Academy (APO), which already represents the top 0.2% of dentists in the state who have dedicated their professional lives to dentistry and leadership. Nineteen of the APO members were inducted as Fellows in 2024. Since then, the District has grown steadily. In 2026, the District included the Brazilian Dental Academy, inducting 36 deserving new Fellows in Rio de Janeiro. The convocation ceremony was attended by the ICD Global President, Dr. Julio Rodriguez, and the ICD Section IV President and Global Councilor, Dr. Elena Kavaliauskis. This brings the national total to 55 active Fellows, all true leaders in their fields, including professors, scientists and renowned clinicians from across Brazil. This process of integrating other academies is ongoing, so its leadership anticipates more dentists joining in the future.

Impact in Action: 2025 Highlights

The Brazilian District of Section IV did not just grow in numbers; it immediately produced a wide-scale impact that has benefited the Brazilian community:

• Nationwide Caries Prevention Campaign: A team led by ICD Section IV Fellow Dr. Nereida Zuleika Hessel Dias worked with Colgate and the Brazilian Dental Association to launch a nationwide campaign to prevent caries in children. They provided health education and preventive care to 100,000 students at public schools in low-income communities across more than 80 cities, at 300 locations, in a single day in October.

• Government Recognition on Dentist’s Day: A leadership committee comprised of the State Dental Academy President and ICD Section IV Fellow Dr. Ana Lucia Tolazi, ICD Brazilian Regent Dr. André M. Rodrigues and APO Board of Directors selected and appointed dentists to represent the various segments of the dental profession to be honored by the Legislative Assembly of Paraná on Oct. 25, 2025. This was a historic occasion with record attendance of over 1,000 people, including dentists, family members and political authorities. Additionally, ICD was formally recognized with a diploma of honor.

• Oral Cancer Prevention Campaign: ICD Section IV Fellow Dr. Laurindo Moacir Sassi coordinated the 37th edition of an oral cancer campaign, which provided walk-in examinations and distributed preventative educational materials. Dr. Sassi’s team screened 380 patients in a single day and identified 75 oral lesions, including four malignant cases that were referred for immediate, life-saving treatment.

• Global Leadership in Oncology: Dr. Sassi will serve as President of the XI South Brazil National Cancer Meeting. This appointment underscores the College’s influence in high-level scientific and medical discussions at the national level.

A Bright Future Ahead

The revitalization of the College in Brazil serves as a shining example for other Sections, Regions and Districts, to learn from in a changing global landscape. By transforming challenges into opportunities and fostering deep local partnerships, the ICD Brazilian District has become a vibrant hub of dental leadership. The journey of our Brazilian Fellows reminds us that even after a season of silence, the spirit of Fellowship can return stronger and more impactful than ever before.