Karachi: The PADS Annual Congress 2022 was a three-day engaging and highly educational dental event that took place at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University on 30th September, and 1st, and 2nd of October.
The three-day event kick-started with an opening ceremony at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University Campus followed by captivating lecturers on “Shared Decision Making” and “Essential Leadership Skills for a Successful Dental Practice”.
The latter was a riveting lecture on developing a strong Emotional Quotient (EQ), improving soft skills, and maintaining a meaningful interaction with patients at a dental practice. This lecture, delivered by the much loved Dr Syed M Faizan focused on the aspects of being a dental practitioner that are not spoken of as often as they should.
Students were given a chance to learn teamwork, compromise, and compassion as dentists and owners of a dental practice.
The event was then followed by the Dental Olympics, which garnered the spirit of healthy competition, and the opportunity to showcase talent. Winners were awarded with vouchers and cash prizes to encourage the students to go the extra mile in professional education and skills development, outside of the dental curriculum.
The third day started with the Dental Startup Competition which was an excellent activity organised by the Pakistan Association of Dental Students. Graduates, as well as undergraduate students, participated in the competition by pitching their idea of a successful business startup in the dental field.
The audience remained transfixed by the presentations as students pitched ideas like “Dental VR” and a “Smiles Bike” to the judges. The core objective, being the improvement in pathological diagnosis, and making dental health accessible in the rural areas of Pakistan, the activity was an accurate depiction of the passion and determination of the students, to achieve optimum quality dental health.
After the competition, Dr Noor ul Wahab conducted his lecture on the “Challenges in Dental Implant Surgery” which showed fascinating and complicated patient cases. These included patients that suffered the after-effects of road traffic accidents, bomb blasts etc.
A lecturer on “How to start a Clinical Research” was also conducted by Dr. Nabeel Baig, who provided adequate knowledge during his well-articulated lecture. The lecture allowed and encouraged students to immerse themselves in the field of clinical research as an opportunity to excel in their dental careers.
After a lunch/namaaz break a Panel Discussion took place which discussed “Developing the New Generation of Dentist; Coexistence in workplace and the Future of Dentistry”. This intriguing topic focused on the future and the outlook of the upcoming generation’s dental professionals. The discussion was one of inclusion and openness and allowed for existing and future dentists to come together for a mutually beneficial outcome for the dental fraternity.
The event came to an apt close with a Gala Dinner on behalf of the Pakistan Association of Dental Students for the participants, students, and renowned dentists that were all an integral part of constructing one of this year’s most remarkable dental events.
