Dr Patrick Hescot is a French dental surgeon and WHO expert, with wide ranging national, European and global responsibilities in the field of oral health. From 1989 to 2012, he was President of the French Union for Oral Health (l’Union Française pour la Santé Bucco dentaire (UFSBD)) and Director of a WHO Collaborating Centre and, from 1995 to 2012, President of the French Dental Association (l’Association Dentaire Française (ADF)). Within FDI, he was President of the FDI European Regional Organization (ERO) from 2007 to 2010 and member of the FDI Council from 2007 to 2013. On a national level, he has frequently been special advisor to the French Ministry of Health, responsible for the introduction of fluoridated salt and sugar-substitutes to France and for leading national oral health promotion and oral disease prevention programmes. He was also responsible for the national continuing dental education programme and for launching the ADF Annual Dental Congress, today the largest event of its kind in Europe. As leader of numerous epidemiological studies, Dr Hescot has written a wide range articles and other texts targeting professionals and members of the general public. In 2005, the French Republic rewarded his many achievements with the title of ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’, awarded by President Jacques Chirac Patrick Hescot is currently responsible for the development of FDI’s strategic plan, notably with regard to Africa, population ageing, populations at risk and the global promotion of oral health through World Oral Health Day, celebrated on 20 March each year. Today, Dr Patrick Hescot is a widely-recognized key opinion leader in national, regional and global health policy due to his expertise in health strategy, public health, marketing and lobbying.