Dubai hosts 19th annual meeting of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance

Virtual meeting brings together 268 dental specialists representing more than 133 organisations from across the world

 Government of Dubai Media Office – 31 January 2022: Dubai hosted the 19^th edition of the annual meeting of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance. The virtual meeting brought together 268 dental specialists representing more than 133 organisations, including representatives of prominent scientific universities and dental colleges from around the world.

The annual meeting was held in conjunction with the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai, ‘the world’s largest annual scientific dental conference and exhibition in the world’ set to commence in Dubai on 1 February.  Members of the Alliance discussed a number of topics related to dentistry and oral healthcare, and continuing education programmes that aim to support scientific research and enhance professional excellence in dentistry.

The meeting commenced with an opening speech delivered by Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of AEEDC Dubai and the Global Scientific Dental Alliance. The meeting was chaired by Professor Abdullah Al Shammery, Scientific Chairman of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance and Chairman, Board of Trustees at Riyadh Elm University, with the participation of members of the Executive Board, Dr. Tariq Khoory, Honorary Chairman of AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Nasser Al Malik, Scientific Chairman of AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Robert Edwab, Executive Director of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, Dr. Muhammed Jafar Abedin, Scientific Vice Chairman of AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Meshari Al Otaibi, President of Makkah International Dental Conference and Exhibition and Vice President of Saudi Dental Society, and Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of INDEX Holding. The virtual meeting, organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding, was attended by a number of eminent personalities, heads of associations, deans of colleges, experts, and doctors in the field of dentistry.

The members discussed various issues related to dentistry, oral health, and continuing education programmes in order to develop a plan to support scientific research and promote excellence in dentistry, in addition to studying ways to enhance cooperation globally. Institutions that are members of the Alliance exchanged experiences and developments in the field of dentistry and explored ways to raise awareness and contribute to shaping a better future for the dental community.

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani stated, “Our meeting here today, in the presence of the most prominent international names specialised in oral and dental healthcare, confirms the importance of this scientific and specialised platform and enriches the agenda of AEEDC Dubai. This meeting is a prominent network for continuing medical education and a source for research related to dentistry. Through this annual meeting, we aim to come up with new recommendations, outputs, and decisions that would raise the level of education through scientific courses and research, in addition to supporting scientific research and developing professional standards in the field of dentistry.”

Professor Abdullah Al Shammery commented, “Through the annual meeting of the members of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance, we aim to introduce new technologies and experiences to the sector and conduct comprehensive discussions covering all principles of dentistry and review of scientific programmes and prevention methods. We also aim to discuss recent developments that can help improve professional practice in dentistry. This event has become one of the most important specialised forums that present a scientific programme rich in medical and educational topics that enrich the participants’ knowledge and experiences about the latest findings of science and technology in this sector.”

“Throughout the 19 years of this non-profit meeting, we made sure to put education at the core of these gatherings which ultimately led to the success of this alliance, and we encourage all of the members participating today to promote this medical assembly,” he added.

Dr. Tarek Khoory said: “I am pleased today to announce the establishment of the ‘GSDA Innovative Research and Accreditation Program’ a global scientific platform that evaluates dental products and accredits them. Scientific committees from all around the world will study what has been published about the new products and conduct research if necessary before agreeing to put the GSDA accreditation on it. The list of dental products includes both materials used by dentists and dental technicians as well as oral health consumables by the public.

He added: “The scientific committees which will be responsible for the accreditation are university professors and experts in the field of dentistry who will work on evaluating the product scientifically and clinically, as well as researching everything that has been published about the product. This programme aims to give confidence to doctors and technicians to use these products knowing that they have been evaluated thoroughly and also give the public confidence in the use of these consumables for oral health.”

At the end of the session, the members praised the ‘Waterfalls’ global initiative for continuous education by the UAE government under the slogan ‘From the Emirates to the World,’ Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the supervision of H.H. Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Organised as part of the initiatives of the Department of Behavioral Rewards in the ‘Ministry of Possibilities’ and in cooperation with INDEX Holding, the ‘Waterfalls Global Award’ is dedicated to heroic frontliners who fought against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Award will honour 50 medical specialists who made significant contributions to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The meeting encouraged the participating organisations to nominate a distinguished person within their company for the award by visiting https://waterfalls.ae.

The 26^th annual UAE International Dental Conference and the Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai 2022, is set to start on February at the Dubai World Trade Centre. ‘The Largest Annual Scientific Dental Conference and Exhibition in the World,’ AEEDC Dubai is an ideal platform for doctors, workers, experts, and dental professionals to learn about the latest scientific developments and innovations in the dental  industry. The global event is expected to attract over 66,000 visitors and participants from 155 countries over three days.