DUBAI: With ever growing visitor and exhibitor base, more than $3 billion worth of business deals were signed at the 22nd UAE International Dental Conference & Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC) in Dubai, which attracted 50,000 visitors and participants from 133 countries.
Dr Abdul Salam Al Madani, executive chairman of the AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition and the Global Scientific Dental Alliance, said: "We are very proud with the great improvement that AEEDC Dubai has witnessed this year, as the value of business deals has increased this year, which is expected for an exhibition like AEEDC Dubai; this goes in line with the increase in the number of hospitals and dental colleges, in addition to the growth of the healthcare and educational sector in the GCC and the world."
Dr Mohammed Jafar Abedin, scientific vice-chairman of AEEDC Dubai, said: "At AEEDC Dubai, we highlight 'evidence-based dentistry', which uses scientific evidence to guide decision-making in dentistry, that has always played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the best practices in the industry."
"In order to help contribute to the overall well-being of patients around the world, we have committed ourselves to raising the standards of healthcare, while at the same time introduce cutting-edge tools and technologies to enhance the quality of dental education accessible to everyone attending the event."
On its third day, AEEDC Dubai featured the subject of radiography and the effective techniques of 2D and 3D radiographic interpretation, aiming to improve the diagnostic skills of radiology specialists, as part of a symposium held under the title 'Radiology Symposium: Radiology in Oro-Dental Medicine'.
Dr Setareh Lavasani, director of oral and maxillofacial radiology and advanced imaging at California's Western University, said: "Dentistry has witnessed tremendous advances and with them, the need for precise diagnostic tools, specially imaging methods, have become mandatory. Radiographic interpretation in the diagnosis of 2D dental radiographs is widely prevalent but recently with the revolutionary introduction of cone beam computed tomography and the addition of the 'third dimension' to dental imaging, dental practitioners are provided with such information about the Maxillofacial structures of their patients, that was previously unthinkable."
However, Dr Lavasani warned "dentists using such 3D technology need to act responsibly, as without proper training and the complexity of normal anatomical structures viewed in 3D, there is an inherent risk of missing crucial information, which can result in incorrect diagnosis".
The third day also played host to the GCC Preventive Dentistry Session, under the title "Prevention begins early", which aimed to raise awareness and understanding on school-based approaches to preventive dentistry and the establishment of diet counseling in schools across the GCC states. The session highlighted many practical solutions and strategies to educate children about the importance of maintaining oral and dental hygiene while also discussing the implementation of simple dental care techniques in schools across the GCC.
AEEDC Dubai 2018 concluded with a Press conference to highlight the preventive dental care strategies in the GCC states, implement the right solutions to combat dental diseases among children, learn from similar experiences in preventive dental care abroad and make evidence-based recommendations for establishing foolproof and effective preventive dental care programmes in the GCC.
AEEDC Dubai Night was also held to recognise the efforts of those who contributed to the oral and dental health industry. The ceremony was honoured with the presence of Abdul Rahman Ghanim Al Mutaiwee, director of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Dubai; Dr Mansour Al Awar, chancellor of Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University; Prof Abdullah Al Shammery, scientific chairman of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance; and Dr Al Madani.
During the ceremony, Al Mutaiwee was given the AEEDC Dubai Special Award 2018 for his invaluable support during the inception of the AEEDC Dubai conference and exhibition, while Prof Hezekiah Adeyemi Mosadomi, director of the research centre at Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, was awarded the AEEDC Dubai Personality of the Year Award 2018 for his outstanding contribution to the oral health profession, among others.
