DT News - India - Impulse, Innovation, IDS: Leading the dental world into the future

Dr. Rajeev Chitguppi

Mon. 31 March 2025

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135,000 visitors from 156 countries, more than 15 percent visitor growth rise, high international visitor turnout, and high-quality exhibitors with higher footfall at booths— IDS underlines Germany’s role as a key driver in the dental industry.

The International Dental Show 2025 was, for many participants, more than just an industry event – it stood for a common future in a future-oriented, increasingly digitalized and networked dental world. The great excitement of enterprises, practices, and workers was clearly felt in the fair hall: people met people, and ideas and solutions were discussed and explored in personal conversation. Furthermore, a high internationality was expressed by the image in the hall – both on the exhibitor and on the visitor's side, the worldwide dental industry was clearly represented.

More than 2.000 companies from more than 60 countries presented a comprehensive offer of dental, medical and dental technical products – with significantly higher motivation as well as greater professional depth and variety. More than 135.000 visitors from 156 countries discovered this engagement with openness and willingness to invest. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and economic challenges, the number of visitors increased by more than 15 percent compared to the previous event – with a particularly strong increase from India. This shows that this year's fair was possible when a branch came together.

So the 41st IDS ended on 29 March 2025 with a convincing overall balance sheet, which not only surpassed the key figures of the IDS 2023 but also confirmed its claim as an international benchmark in quality, reach and professional relevance. Once again it became clear: Germany is a central innovation hub of the dental world – and the Messe location Köln is also an active driver for the future of the branch.

“The IDS has once again clearly exceeded our expectations. Overall, we see that the German dental industry is very well positioned in the international competition, innovative, and at the top. This also shows a high interest in innovative products and system solutions. The IDS is the polar star for the global dental industry”, says Mark Stephen Pace, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Associations of the German Dental-Industrie e.V. (VDDI).

“The IDS 2025 was a complete success in every respect. It has shown that Köln is not only the home of the dental branch, but also a place in which the future is being shaped. As a world leader fair, it is a showcase and engine alike – for sustainable progress, quality in the supply and global partnerships”, adds Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Kölnmesse.

With digital tools such as the IDS-App and IDSconnect, as well as targeted formats for young professionals, the IDS 2025 meets the requirements of a modern, connected dental world. So the WorldLeitMesse was not only a showcase for innovations but also a platform for exchange across generations and borders.

Begegnung und Whiteblick: BZAK und VDZI loben IDS 2025 as Platform for Exchange and Futuresgestaltung

“At a time when technological advances and digital solutions are rapidly advancing, it is even more important that we work together as a dental community. The IDS offers us the opportunity to exchange best practices, so that our patients will also in the future have access to a convenient and low-inflammatory dentistry”, summarizes Prof. Dr. Christoph Benz, President of the Bundeszahnärtzekammer (BZAK).

Also, for Dominik Kruchen, President of the Verbandes Deutscher Dentaltechniker-Innungen (VDZI), the IDS 2025 was a full success: “This year's IDS is also a benchmark for numerous dental laboratories. Here, the laboratories take new technologies, materials and workflows under the microscope and look for game changers in the dental care industry. This is done with an entrepreneurial perspective and professional experience. Investment decisions will also be considered with a view to implementation in the laboratory. Many sculptures in the exhibition hall are printed so that our rising generation is also prepared for its role in future dental replacement care.”

The IDS 2025 in numbers

At the IDS 2025, 2,010 companies from 61 countries participated on a gross exhibition area of 180,000 square meters. Among them were 463 manufacturers from Germany and 1.547 manufacturers from abroad. The foreign share stood at 77 percent. Estimates for the last Fairtag included more than 135,000 visitors from 156 countries to IDS, 55 percent of whom came from abroad. Compared to the previous event, this represents a visitor increase of more than 15 percent.