Dental Tribune India Issue

Eightmonthsafterthesuccessful 2009 FDI Annual World Dental Congress at the Suntec Interna- tional Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore, FDI returned to Singapore to participate in the biennial International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) that took place from 16 to 18 April 2010. Dr Roberto Vianna, FDI Pres- ident, was present at IDEM Singapore to promote FDI and to extend FDI’s spirit of partner ship among participating stake holders. “IDEM Singapore brings to- gether many facets of FDI’s work towards improving oral and gen- eral health. Together with the Singapore Dental Association, FDI develops outstanding Con- tinuing Education programmes — based on relevant and timely topics for the profession—which not only play an important role in the development of dentistry & dental professionals, but also in advocating the importance of oral healthcare to the popula- tion,” said Dr Vianna at the IDEM opening ceremony. Organised by Koelnmesse andtheSingaporeDentalAssoci- ation (SDA), in cooperation with FDI World Dental Federation, the 2010 edition of IDEM Singa- pore delivered cutting-edge in sights 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 fore new protocols in patient treatment. Moreover, the most recent innovations that help dentists minimize the risks involved in advanced Dr. Stuart Johnston In this issue of WDC, we are pleased to have FDI Dental Practice Committee and Dental Amalgam Task Team (DATT) member, Dr Stuart Johnston discuss his involvement with FDI World Dental Federation & share his vision for oral health. WDC: As a practicing dentist, what made you decide to devote your time to addressing issues affecting dental practice at an international level? Dr Stuart Johnston: I initially became involved with organized dentistry at the local level be- cause I was dissatisfied with the system of dentistry in the UK. After some time, I became Chair- man of the local body and went on to represent the UK at the national level. People gave me jobs to do and I didn’t say “no”. I enjoyed it … |I enjoyed learning and actively making a better future for myself and colleagues in UK. “Acciden- tly” I had the opportunity to at- tend the FDI Congress in New Delhi, in 2004, as a representa- tive of the British Dental Asso- ciation. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first, it seemed very complex. But after this experi- ence, I reflected on the opportu- nities FDI involvement prese- nted and quite liked it—the com- plexity of it, it was something completely new, I wanted to under stand FDI, what we could do, how I could help raise the profile of my home association there. Thereisasymbioticrelationship, representing BDA at FDI and bringingbenefitsbacktodentists in the UK. You were recently invited to join FDI Dental Amalgam Task Team (DATT). What is the rationale behind the formation of DATT? It is fascinating work—the way thesecolleagueshavecommuni- cated with one another around the world, all cooperating, & the quality of debate is superb. The FDI Council mandated that a Dental Amalgam Task Team be established to ensure that the international dental community & issues regarding dental amal- gam were properly & accurately represented in United Nations discussions regarding mercury and would be based on the best available science. For details see UNEP Intergovernmental Nego- tiatingCommitteewww.unep.org/ hazardoussubstances/Mercury/ Negotiations/INC1/tabid/3324/l anguage/en-US/Default.aspx. TheDATTconsistsofarepresen- tative from each of the FDI stand- ing committees, three Council representatives & where required be supplemented with subject matter experts. Where does the DATT stand now and what role does it play in FDI overall mission? At the UNEP meeting in Stock- holm, 7-11 June 2010, I was priv- ileged to represent FDI Dental Amalgam Task Team. This meet- ingsawacontinuationofthepro- cess begun in November and we had the opportunity to lobby del- egates to our position to avoid an all-out amalgam ban. DATT is looking to develop in formation for member NDAs to take back to their countries to communicate with their governments directly. It will be governments who vote on this, so we require a team ef- fort to achieve the desired result. In regards to dental amalgam, itisnotahealthissuebecausethe dental profession has a signifi- cant body of evidence that the use of amalgam as a restorative material is safe with respect to human health. However it is the broader considerations with re- gards to mercury that the inter- governmental negotiating com- mittee is addressing. Is FDI developing a position on environmental waste? We must be seen as doing every- thing we can, including: • Makesureallwasteiscollected properly in dental surgery & properly disposed of & recy- cled wherever possible, to avoid contamination • Move away from bulk mercury, which can be misappropriated for small scale gold mining, to- wards capsule mercury, which avoids spillage. What does the FDI World Dental Federation offer to the dentist? The world is changing and FDI helps us to understand this change at international or global level. For example, amalgam is prime issue. FDI can represent thisattheworldlevelfortheden- tal profession. Another example is GCI and how it fits together, thereisserendipity—thestrategy for dealing with caries sees a reduction in need for amalgam. There is a huge opportunity tomakearealdifferencethrough FDI. For some associations from more advanced countries, part of FDI’s work is the duty to help col- leagues in developing areas. There is a global responsibility which is enhanced now by amal- gam 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 difficult to produce the consensus statements due to dif- ferent legal systems and philoso- phies of care, so when we pro- duce a statement it is even more satisfying. Benefits of being part oftheDPCincludemeetingmore of the people involved in FDI work, and feeling more that I am part of the team. Looking at purpose of the committee, there will be fewer but more focus projects with the DPC collaborating with other committees to contribute to FDI strategic objectives. We are look- ing at the dental team, risk man- agement in dental practice, in- demnity, infection control and waste management. Also we have been approa- ched by colleagues at the Indian Dental Association, which is a positive development. Where do you see your work taking 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 Repre- sentative Body, running dental practice, and European work. Dr Stuart Johnston qualified in 1972 from Cardiff Dental School and has worked in his own prac- tice for the last 32 years. He is the DPC member on the FDI Dental Amalgam Task Team (DATT). Members’ Corner: Dr Stuart Johnston FDI Revisits Suntec Center, Singapore