Dental Tribune US Edition, Vol. 5, No. 19

Eight months after the successful 2009 FDI Annual World Dental Con- gress at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore, FDI returned to Singa- pore to participate in the biennial International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) that took place from 16 to 18 April 2010. Dr Roberto Vianna, FDI President, was present at IDEM Singapore to promote FDI and to extend FDI’s spirit of partnership among partici- pating stakeholders. “IDEM Singapore brings together many facets of FDI’s work towards improving oral and general health. Together with the Singapore Den- tal Association, FDI develops out- standing Continuing Education pro- grammes—based on relevant and timely topics for the profession— which not only play an important role in the development of dentistry and dental professionals, but also in advocating the importance of oral healthcare to the population,” said Dr Vianna at the IDEM opening ceremony. Organised by Koelnmesse and the Singapore Dental Association (SDA), in cooperation with FDI World Den- tal Federation, the 2010 edition of IDEM Singapore delivered cutting- edge insights into the very latest in dental technology, techniques and patient treatment. The 2010 Scientific Conference at IDEM Singapore, which featured 18 international thought leaders in their respective fields, brought to the Friday, April 23, 2010 saw the official opening on the new FDI World Dental Federation head office and the start of a new chapter in FDI’s evolution. FDI sec- retariat have been settling in to the new location since the move from Ferney-Voltaire, France, last Sep- tember immedi- ately following Congress. The move from France to Swit- zerland reflects the diversity of FDI membership. Geneva is internation- al crossroads with its multicultural population, in a country with four official languages, located in heart of Europe and well connected to rest of the world. Also significant is the fact that Geneva is a Capital of Health, with FDI neighbours including the World Health Organization, World Heart Federation, International Fed- eration of Red Cross, and Medecins sans frontiers. Furthermore the consolidation of FDI businesses under a single entity provides more simplified manage- ment and a favourable taxation envi- ronment. Attending the ceremony were FDI Council members and staff, FDI members, corporate sponsors, part- ners and other NGO’s. Mr Stéphane Graber, Délégué au Service de la Promotion Economique du Canton de Genève, and Mr André Klopmann, Chargé des ONG internationales, Canton de Genève, represented the Canton de Genève. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by FDI President, Rober- to Vianna; FDI Executive Director, David Alexander; and for the Canton de Genève, André Klopmann. Guests enjoyed a brief tour of the office on the 5th floor having a sneak peak of FDI’s new “home” and FDI’s colour- fore new protocols in patient treat- ment. Moreover, the most recent innovations that help dentists mini- mize the risks involved in advanced procedures, while enhancing the results for patients, were showcased by 352 exhibitors from 31 countries. Participants equally benefited from a Consumer Education Forum, organized by the Singapore Dental Health Foundation, in conjunction with IDEM Singapore. The forum sought to update the public beyond the basic principles of good oral care, exploring topics such as the rela- tive advantages and disadvantages of implants, what patients should ask their dentists about implants and the intriguing Teeth-in-an- hour. Participants went away with valuable insights into the challenges and limitations of dental implant procedures. IDEM Singapore 2010 also saw the introduction of ‘Let’s Talk Busi- ness seminar’ in which participants deliberated on how they can lever- age technology to transform the delivery of dental treatments. Looking forward, the theme and speakers for IDEM 2012 Scientific conference have been chosen. IDEM 2012 will focus on ‘Advances and Controversies’. It will have the following per- sonalities as keynote speakers: Den- nis Tarnow from the Columbia School of Medicine, New York; and Dr Michel Magne and Dr Pascal Magne from the University of South- ern California, Los Angeles. FDI ful windows. The Grand Opening ceremony coincided with FDI Council meeting. Despite the Iceland volcanic ash inci- dent which made traveling difficult, a good number of guests could still attend the ceremony. However, some aspects of the event were postponed, such as the bid-ding for the 2013 congress. This has now has been scheduled to take place in September in Salvador. Excerpt from FDI President Rober- to Vianna’s speech “I feel proud that FDI World Dental Federation—one of the world’s oldest international health profession orga- nizations—has found a new home in this city, with neighbours includ- ing the World Health Organization, United Nations, and World Trade Organization.” “From our new home in Geneva, we are well positioned to collaborate with our many partners in health, continuing to serve as the worldwide, unified voice for oral health; to pro- mote oral health globally; and to deliver excellence in continuing pro- fessional education and access to care to communities worldwide.” FDI 13ADENTAL TRIBUNE Worldental Communiqué make a real difference through FDI. For some associations from more advanced countries, part of FDI’s work is the duty to help colleagues in developing areas. There is a glob- al responsibility which is enhanced now by amalgam issue—this shows that we are one world, working together for better oral health. What plans does the FDI Dental Practice Committee (DPC) have for 2010? I have been a Member of DPI for just over a year. It is nice to meet with colleagues and see how we approach problems differently. It can be diffi- cult to produce the consensus state- ments due to different legal systems and philosophies of care, so when we produce a statement it is even more satisfying. Benefits of being part of the DPC include meeting more of the people involved in FDI work, and feeling more that I am part of the team. Looking at purpose of the com- mittee, there will be fewer but more focus projects with the DPC col- laborating with other committees to contribute to FDI strategic objec- tives. We are looking at the dental team, risk management in dental practice, indemnity, infection control and waste management. Also we have been approached About the publisher Publisher FDI World Dental Federation Tour de Cointrin, Avenue Louis Casai 84, Case Postale 3 1216 Cointrin – Genève Switzerland Phone: +41 22 560 81 50 Fax: +41 22 560 81 40 E-mail: media@fdiworldental.org Web site: www.fdiworldental.org FDI Worldental Communiqué is published by the FDI World Dental Federation. The newsletter and all articles and illustrations therein are protected by copyright. Any utilisa- tion without prior consent from the editor or publisher is inadmissible and liable to prosecution. by colleagues at the Indian Den- tal Association, which is a positive development. Where do you see your work tak- ing you with FDI? I am enjoying what I am doing now. It means a juggling act with FDI involvement, the BDA where I am chair of the Representative Body, running dental practice, and Euro- pean work. FDI Dr. Stuart Johnston qualified in 1972 from Cardiff Dental School and has worked in his own practice for the last 32 years. He is the DPC mem- ber on the FDI Dental Amalgam Task Team (DATT). f FDI page 12A (Photo/FDI WDDF) Grand opening of FDI head office in Geneva (Photo/FDI WDDF) FDI Revisits Suntec Center, Singapore