Materia Medica Malaysiana

Over 1,500 experts to attend five-day dental congress

More than 1,500 dental industry professionals will attend the 27th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress at the Putra World Trade Centre from May 25 to 29.
Among the professionals would be aesthetic surgeons, implantologists, orthodontists, dental technicians and nurses.
Conventions, symposiums, clinical workshops, business meetings and a state-of-the-art trade exhibition would be held to address specific issues and latest developments pertaining to the various disciplines of dentistry.
More than 50 professionals in various fields of oral health are being flown in by Malaysia Airlines to present papers on such diverse topics as forensics dentistry, aesthetics ("dazzling" smiles), regenerative gene therapy, implantology and even gender issues pertaining to women in the profession.
"The theme of this meeting for the dental fraternity in the region is Rediscover the Art of Comprehensive Oral Health Care," said Dr S. Nagarajan (picture), president-elect of the Asia- Pacific Dental Federation.
"This embodies the relevance and social awareness of the profession in relation to the evolving needs of the public with regard to oral health care," he said.
Dr Nagarajan is also the congress' organising committee chairman.
Among the speakers are Dr Peter Sahelangi from Indonesia who will speak on the role of dentists in Indonesian Mass Disaster Victim Identification; Prof Misako Nakashima from Japan on gene therapy; Dr A.H. Valentin from Germany on aesthetic implantology; and Dr Paul Stone from Britain on three-dimensional implant placement.
Others speakers are Prof Richard Ibbetson from Britain on crown and bridgework; Dr Gerard Kugel from the US on adhesive restorative dentistry; Dr Anthony Dickinson from Australia on adjacent teeth replacement; and Prof Paul Salins from Qatar on facial attractiveness and orthomorphic surgery.
Apart from the scientific symposiums, seminars specific to dental nurses, technicians and dental materials handlers would also be held.
The Malaysian speakers include Health Ministry Oral Health Services director Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Nasir Wan Othman on improving oral health of pre-school children, and Prof Toh Chooi Gait on traditional versus current expectations of women.
For further information, please contact Dr T. S. Jeyalan (03-22845228 or 012-3717012) or Sangeeta Kaur (03-20951532)