Dubai – United Arab Emirates: Under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the 17th edition of Global Annual Scientific Dental Alliance Meeting (GSDA) kicked off recently on the sidelines of the 24th edition of the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai 2020, the largest annual international scientific dental conference and exhibition in the world, with the participation of 244 representative members of GSDA at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery, Scientific Chairman, Global Scientific Dental Alliance, in the presence of Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of GSDA and AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Tariq Khoory, Honorary Chairman – AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Nasser Al Malik, Scientific Chairman, AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Robert Edwab, Executive Director, Greater New York Dental Meeting, Dr. Mohammed Jafar Abedin, Scientific Vice Chairman, AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Meshari Al Otaibi, President, Makkah International Dental Conference and Exhibition, Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice Chairman and Group CEO, INDEX Holding and Dr. Mohammed Hasan Al Jishi, Former President, Arab Dental Federation, France, as well as a number of prominent figures, heads of associations, deans of colleges, dental experts and doctors.
The Pakistan delegation was represented by Prof Dr Nasir Ali Khan (Pakistan Dental Association, Central Council), Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) was represented by Prof Saqib Rashid, Dental News was represented by Syed Hashim Hasan and Dow University of Health Sciences was represented by Prof Arshad Hasan and Dr Javeria Ali Khan.
While commenting on the occasion, Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery, Scientific Chairman, Global Scientific Dental Alliance, said, “The 17th edition of Global Scientific Dental Alliance (GSDA) Meeting provided its member associations, top dental bodies, leading dental experts and key decision makers in the industry a unique opportunity to come together and brainstorm about building a viable roadmap for dentistry practice in the region and abroad. Over the years, GSDA has played a pivotal role in coming up with appropriate policy recommendations and robust solutions for the most pressing dental challenges facing dentistry professionals and patients alike.”
“We are delighted that GSDA is being held on the sidelines of AEEDC Dubai 2020, which has recently been declared the largest annual international scientific dental conference and exhibition in the world and we believe that the presence of world-renowned dental experts and associations at this global dental platform will be greatly helpful in highlighting the latest dental challenges, raising awareness and improving understanding about the latest in the field of dentistry,” Prof Abdullah stated.
From his side, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of AEEDC Dubai and Global Scientific Dental Alliance (GSDA) said, “I extend my warmest regards and gratitude to the participating members in the 17th Annual Alliance Meeting of the GSDA for their valuable participation in the activities of this prominent event. The GSDA meeting has become one of the most important forums that feature a rich scientific program discussing the most pressing topics in oral and dental care and enriches the knowledge and experience of the participants in this sector.”
He added, “At the 17th edition of this alliance, we are very pleased to meet with the most prominent international societies and institutions specialized in dentistry with the aim of unifying our efforts and endeavors to support scientific researches and elevate the professional level of dentistry. We are immensely proud to host this alliance on the sidelines of AEEDC Dubai 2020, which has been recognized recently as the largest International Annual Scientific Dental Conference in the world after a long journey of hard work and fruitful cooperation.”
On his part, Dr. Tariq Khoory, Honorary Chairman of AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition said: “Today, we have announced (AEEDC Global Education), as INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, the official organizer of AEEDC Dubai, saw the importance of transferring the AEEDC Dubai experience to the whole world by sharing their expertise with dental institutions, associations and bodies all over the world. Through AEEDC Global Education Conference and Exhibition, we aim to hold an event at par with AEEDC Dubai in terms of the scientific and educational content. This unique event is expected to take place in 2021 and will include a scientific agenda featuring a number of challenging topics in dentistry through workshops, lectures, and scientific sessions. Furthermore, AEEDC Global Education will also feature an exhibition that will showcase the latest medical equipment and technologies in the dental field.”
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Robert Edwab, Executive Director, Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) said, “The Global Scientific Dental Alliance Meeting has special significance as it serves as a forum to develop programs to help further educate dentists. AEEDC Dubai 2020, as the world’s largest international annual scientific dental conference and exhibition, is best equipped to hold this gathering. As the GSDA Meeting witnesses the presence of representatives of various dental organizations from across the globe, this diversification greatly helps to maximize ideas that could foster educational topics and initiatives for the member countries. By sharing and cooperating, this collaboration brings dentists from around the world to a forum where they can learn from hands-on experiences that were successful in their fellow member countries and bring it home to educate their members.”
Vice Chairman & Group CEO
INDEX Holding (right) meeting PDA Secretary, Prof Dr Nasir Ali Khan (left)
Dr. Edwab added, “One of the main focus areas for participants at GSDA is to identify and share the best dental educators from each country, as by identifying these superior educators, and having them present at such programs as AEEDC Dubai, the GSDA helps to elevate and maximize the availability of oral healthcare to all populations. This is extremely important today as studies are providing significant evidence to suggest how oral health is intricately related to systemic health. If each country can raise the level of its oral healthcare, they can directly elevate the general health of their citizens.”
Dr. Edwab concluded, “The most significant challenge facing patients across the globe is access to affordable care. Today, newer materials and technology are playing a significant role in overcoming the challenge posed by affordable care. Consequently, by using new advances in technology, more care can be distributed to larger populations. With better access to affordable care, we can lower the levels of tooth decay and tooth loss which hugely impact the long-term health of patients. Access to oral healthcare and medical healthcare will then lead to lower levels of mortality and higher life spans.”
Dr Aisha Al Suwaidi, President of Emirates Dental Society (right) receiving PDA shield from PDA Secretary, Prof Dr Nasir Ali Khan (left)
On the sidelines of AEEDC Dubai 2020 Conference and Exhibition, a Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation (MoU) was signed between INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding, and Al Farabi Private College in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of their endeavors to cooperate and coordinate in various events, exchange experiences via scientific and educational publications, and to promote the events organized by INDEX. The Agreement was signed by Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice President and Group CEO of Index Holding and Prof. Dr. Ali Habiballah Akbar, Dean of Al Farabi Private College in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On the second day, AEEDC Dubai 2020 conference featured a number of discussions on highly scientific topics in dentistry such as ‘Digital Implantology: The Modern Approach in Implant Rehabilitation’, ‘Tips & Tricks In Implant Guided Surgery’, ‘Aetiology & Epidemiology of Dental Trauma’, ‘Dealing with the Pediatric Dental Trauma Patient’, ‘Bioactive Root Canal Fillings: Are We There Yet?’, ‘The Input of CAD-CAM Technologies for Endodontically-Treated Teeth’, ‘Predictable Use of Rigid Membrane in Ridge Augmentation’ and ‘Extreme Atrophy of the Jaws: Which Treatment?’ among other topics.
AEEDC Dubai is organized annually by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding. The annual dental event is being held in strategic partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai and the support of Dubai Health Authority, Global Scientific Dental Alliance, Arab Dental Federation, Executive Board of the Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council States, GCC Oral Health Committee, Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Continuing Dental Education and Indonesian Association of Orthodontists and Saudi Orthodontic Society.
-DN Report
