International dental congress kicks off in Riyadh 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Over 1,000 participants took part in the first International Quintessence Dental Arab Congress (IQDAC), which was inaugurated at the Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh yesterday.

"The scientific program of IQDAC will consist of 2 days of highly interesting lectures and discussions. We are happy that there is a huge participation from different successful international companies that are showcasing their up-to-date dental supplies and apparatus for the present and future generations," President of the congress Abdullah R. Al-Shammery said during the inaugural ceremony yesterday.

More than 25 companies displayed their products and services at the exhibition that runs concurrently with the conference.

Al-Shammery, who is also the rector of the Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, welcomed the large number of delegates who had shown immense interest in the field of dentistry.

"It is an exciting time for Quintessence Publishing Company and Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy and work hand in hand to provide an exceptional dental congress in the Kingdom," Al-Shammery noted.

He pointed out that this conference featured eminent speakers from around the world that would guarantee a variety of ideas and expertise on the latest advances made in the field of dentistry.

According to the partnership program, a monthly continuous education (CE) course will be conducted in Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy as part of this annual dental congress. Under the program, on Oct. 27, 2011, Andrea Ricci, a well-known Italian expert in esthetic dentistry, will share his expertise and experience in Riyadh to a number of dentists who will be attending the first CE course.

"A new era has started in the area of continuous dental education in the Kingdom and the region. We are proud to announce a long-term partnership between a global dental publishing company and a regional dental education leader," IQDAC congress Chairman Essam Tashkandi said, adding that the name Quintessence Publishing Group would, no doubt, be associated with excellence in the mind of any dental professional worldwide. Similarly, he noted that Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy represented a pioneering force in private dental education in the Kingdom.

"The partnership between these two formidable institutions has culminated in the annual event that is being held in Riyadh now. IQDAC will host a group of world-renowned international speakers annually to keep abreast of the developments in the field of dentistry."

In addition, he added, a series of monthly continuing education courses of the highest caliber in all fields of dental specialties would be taking place throughout the year.

Speaking on "Implant therapy, the integrated treatment plan," Mauro Merli, author of several scientific articles and books, said: "Over the recent decades we have witnessed a profound transformation in the way of conceiving and implementing the treatment plan, especially with regards to complex clinical cases."He continued, "One of the main changes is the importance and attention given to the specific needs and desires of the patients who entrust their oral health care to the professional."

To develop the most appropriate treatment plan, he said, it becomes essential to identify the general profile of the subject. "This involves analyzing and evaluating the complex nature of the patient's clinical status, socioeconomic situation, psychological characteristics, as well as the prognosis," he added.

"To achieve a thorough assessment of the patient, the diagnostic and therapeutic process must be reconsidered and developed into an integrated treatment plan that promotes firstly interaction between the various disciplines to ensure treatment supported by high quality scientific evidence, and secondly, the active participation of the patient."

Avishai Sadan, professor of dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, said, "With a conservative approach in mind, the restorative team should provide patients with minimally invasive, highly esthetic, and long-lasting solutions. These solutions should take into consideration patient needs and desires, available materials, and clinical approaches."