Association of German Dental ManufacturersTranslation site

The Association of German Dental Manufacturers, officially known in German as Verband der Deutschen Dental-Industrie e.V. (VDDI), is the leading representative body for Germany’s dental manufacturing sector, headquartered in Cologne, Germany.

Founding & Basic Information

VDDI was originally founded in Berlin on June 24, 1916, under the name Verband der Deutschen Dental-Fabrikanten with 34 initial member companies. It was re-established under its current name on January 13, 1950, and moved its permanent headquarters to Cologne in January 1969.

As of recent records, the association counts nearly 200 German manufacturers of dental-medical and dental-technical products as its members, covering the full spectrum of dental industry players from family-owned SMEs to global enterprises.

Core Functions & Key Initiatives

Trade Fair Organization:

In its early years, VDDI’s primary task was independently organizing the dental industry trade fair, with the first “1. Dental-Schau” held in 1923, later renamed the Internationale Dental-Schau (IDS) in 1928. Today, its commercial arm, the GFDI Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, co-organizes the biennial IDS in Cologne with Koelnmesse GmbH. IDS is recognized as the world’s leading trade fair for the dental industry, attracting over 135,000 visitors from 156 countries and more than 2,200 exhibitors in its 2025 edition.

Industry Representation:

VDDI represents the collective interests of German dental manufacturers to national and international ministries, regulatory authorities, and industry organizations. It actively participates in shaping dental-related technical regulations and policies, such as contributing to the negotiation of EU medical product regulations in Brussels.

Member Services:

The association provides members with platforms for experience and knowledge exchange, including specialized working groups covering areas like export operations, domestic marketing, public relations, implantology, and dental technology. It also operates the DentalPlace digital platform to support members’ domestic and overseas sales promotion.

Global Cooperation & Partnerships

VDDI maintains close collaboration with partner associations of dentists, dental technicians, and dental dealers across Germany and globally. It is a member of the Federation of the European Dental Industry (FIDE), where it is responsible for the General Secretariat, and connects with the International Dental Manufacturers Association (IDM) via FIDE. It also partners with the patient-focused oral health initiative proDente, whose slogan is “Lust auf schöne und gesunde Zähne” (Desire for beautiful and healthy teeth).

International Engagement

VDDI actively supports German dental enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, including organizing German national pavilions at major international dental exhibitions such as Sino-Dental in China and the IDS media promotion events in Beijing. Over the past decade, its continuing education programs in China have trained more than 25,000 dentists and dental technicians.

It also works closely with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry to help members access emerging high-growth markets.

Contact Information

• Postal Address: Aachener Straße 1053 – 1055, 50858 Köln (Cologne), Germany; P.O. Box 400663, 50836 Köln
• Phone: +49 221 50 06 87 0
• Press Contact: Burkhard Sticklies, sticklies@vddi.de