Georgia became an independent district of the European section of the International College of Dentists (ICD). No Eastern European or regional country has been distinguished the same way. The decision was made by ICD central office at the International council meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on November 5 and submitted to the European section counsel for approval. The European section meeting was organized on December 2, 2023 in Vienna (Austria). 

International College of Dentists (ICD) is one of the oldest organizations uniting all continents of the world under 15 sections. One of the most multinational sections is the 5th - European section consisting of 15 districts and 34 countries. Georgia was included in the 15th section (Central and Northern Europe) along with Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria are not yet named as independent districts in the European section.

On December 2, 2023 the European section council discussed the International council proposal and supported the division of Georgia as an independent 16th district. The same council nominated Professor Marina Mamaladze, President of Georgian Dental Professional Association as the regent of the 16th district. Professor Marina Mamaladze became the first member of ICD from Georgia in 2013 and was elected as the Vice Regent of the 15th district in 2020. 

Professor Mauro Labanca, ICD Vice President, congratulated Professor Marina Mamaladze and her country on the success and solemnly presented the ICD flag and regent’s gown. Professor Marina Mamaladze expressed her gratitude for the trust and noted: “Despite, today the ICD Georgian team is represented by the TSMU professors, the team will be definitely joined by the new members from the regions of Georgia and activities will be appreciable in the European section of the International College of Dentists”.

Professor Marina Mamaladze and Professor Zurab Vadachkoria Rector of TSMU met professors of universities of the European sections and discussed diverse issues related to the ICD annual meetings and roles of higher educational institutions in the organization. The future cooperation activities were also outlined during the meeting.