As the global dental community prepares to gather in Shanghai for the 2025 FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC25), the spotlight turns to the next generation of dental professionals. Among them is Dr Luís Anes, one of the selected speakers from FDI’s young speaker contest, which called for nominations from FDI’s member national dental associations. In this interview, Dr Anes talks about what this opportunity means to him, his expectations for the congress and his advice for fellow young professionals.