KARACHI: 250 foreign experts to attend dental congress
KARACHI, Feb 22: Some 250 to 350 foreign dental experts and another 3,000 to 3,500 dental practitioners from Pakistan will be attending the 28th Asia Pacific Dental Congress being held here at the Expo Centre.
The congress will be inaugurated at the Sindh Governor’s House on Thursday.
Sindh Health Minister Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, said all arrangements have been finalized for the moot to be held for the first time in the country, from Thursday to Monday.
First of the series of the five-day programme would commence with a “dental health awareness walk,” from Expo Centre to Hasan Square on Thursday at 9 am, he said, mentioning that this would be besides the dental health mela to be held simultaneously with the scientific sessions.
These would be day-long events with public attending the dental mela holding numerous stalls, including those established by 18 different dental colleges.
The health minister expressed satisfaction that the moot holds essential provision to educate young children about oral hygiene and means to maintain their teeth intact and gums disease-free.
Dr Arif Alvi and Dr Ali Farhan, who flanked the health minister during the briefing, said equal attention had been paid to keep general public involved in the event, which is aimed at improving dental health standards in the country.
It was said that since dental treatment is expensive and often beyond the means of general public, hence focus is at educating people and encouraging them to ensure necessary prevention and precaution.
The journalists were informed that Asia Pacific Dental Federation, with 28 countries right from Pacific rim to Asia and Middle East, comprising 28 countries, established 50 years back, is also celebrating its golden jubilee in 2006, making the event all the more significant.
Pakistan despite significant reservations expressed by other member countries of the APDF, managed to seek unanimous approval of all members to host the moot.
Another important objective of the moot was said to provide junior dentists first-hand opportunity to learn the updated techniques.
Responding to queries, he assured that all measures have been adopted for the protection of those participating in the mela as well as those attending the mela.
Meanwhile, senior members and office-bearers of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation and Asia Pacific Regional Organization expressed their pleasure that Pakistan was hosting this international event.
Talking to journalists, Dr Oliver Hennedige, Secretary General, PDF/APRO and Dr. Ratnanesan observed that Pakistan could make optimum use of the event in terms of improved public awareness about prevention of dental diseases.
“Public awareness would go up regarding oral health, consequently followed by modified attitude ,” commented Dr. Hennedige who is also the executive director of International College of Continuing Dental Education (ICCDE).
Dato’ Dr A Ratnasenan, former President, Asia Pacific Dental Federation, mentioned that since the establishment of APDF in 1955, it was for the first time that Pakistan would be hosting the congress.—APP
