AEEDC Dubai hosts the 14th Global Scientific Dental Alliance Meeting

AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition continued on its 2nd day at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with a number of scientific activities that have attracted a huge number of dental students, dental specialists, industry leaders and professionals. AEEDC Exhibition has also witnessed a huge turnaround of visitors who were introduced to the latest medical devices, technologies and equipment displayed by leading companies in the dental field.

The second day of the AEEDC Dubai Conference featured a number of scientific activities including the 14th Global Scientific Dental Alliance Meeting, which gathered more than 130 representatives and directors of dental associations from more than 92 countries. The meeting was presided by Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani the Executive Chairman of AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition and the GSDA, and Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery,  Scientific Consultant of the Executive Board of Council for the Health Ministers of the GCC States and the Scientific Chairman Global Scientific Dental Alliance, Dr. Nasser Al-Malik, Scientific Chairman of AEEDC Dubai and Dr. Tariq Khoory, Honorary Chairman of AEEDC Dubai and a number of dignitaries. 

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani welcomed all the new and existing members to the 14th Global Scientific Dental Alliance Meeting, which gathered this year more than 130 representatives and directors of dental associations from more than 92 countries. He said, “We are always keen to introduce new and innovative dentistry courses in our scientific agenda every year. Our goal behind the Global Scientific Dental Alliance is to shed more light on the latest scientific researches and then share it with the biggest amount of specialists and students.”

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani continued on saying: “I am very pleased with the huge interest that many medical associations and institutions have shown in joining this alliance, as when we first started we had only 12 members and now we are proud to have more than 130 members onboard. I welcome this year the new members from Mauritania, Morocco, China, Guatemala, and Egypt.”

From his side, Prof. Abdulla Al Shammery said, “We are very proud this year with the increasing number of participants from the region and world, which will encourage us to book a bigger hall next year for this meeting. The GSDA meeting is considered a great scientific meeting held annually to discuss the latest scientific researches and put forward new innovative ideas and recommendations to improve the scientific program for AEEDC Dubai in the coming editions, as it attracts top-notch academia, officials, and thought-leaders in this field from all over the world.” 

On the other hand, the conference has resumed its scientific sessions that has reached to 170 lectures presented by 150 speakers. Dr. Nasser Al Malik, AEEDC Conference Scientific Chairman, explained that the sessions are abundant with case studies and experiments showing great success in compensating the teeth using 3D printing techniques (also known as additive manufacturing).

He added, "Over the course of 2 days, the conference will run for the first time the Digital Dentistry Society Symposium which discusses in great detail the findings of recent experiments in the field of dental printing, using 3D print technology." 

He explained further saying, "This new technique helps in picturing the infected tooth to check on bone thickness, and determine its 3D dimensions, then ‘print’ it in 3D."

Al Malik stated, "The new 3D tooth printing allows scanning the mouth of the patient to capture its dimensions. Then the dimensions are directly transferred to the lab to print a new tooth to be implanted within 48 hours." 

He has also pointed out that, "This technology saves a great deal of waiting time previously required for implanting the tooth in the traditional way. This recent development in 3D tooth printing will allow any doctor to own a small 3D printer in his / her clinic, and to print teeth that fit their patients in the clinic, thus saving a lot of time and effort."

"The 3D scanning of the infected tooth; a technique that allows the doctor to see with great accuracy the tooth, identifies the exact part to begin treating," he added.

The conference also highlights actual case studies that have proven successful in treating dental diseases, using stem cells.

He pointed out that these experiments - first tested on animals such as rabbits and rats, showed great results. The new treatment is based on removing the infected part in the tooth, followed by implanting stem cells in the teeth itself. Those cells are usually taken from the teeth, spinal marrow, or the patient's bone.

Al Malik mentioned that the new stem cells therapy helps in the natural growth of the teeth, minimizing the need for using traditional materials to compensate the affected parts of the tooth.

AEEDC Dubai 2017 has also featured the 8th AEEDC Student Competition which has attracted this year 10 universities that included: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Alfarabi College of Dentistry and Nursing, Imam Abdulrahman Alfaisal University, Gulf Medical University, RAK College of Dental Sciences, University of Sharjah, Umm Al-Qura University, King Khalid University, King Abdulaziz University, and Oman Dental College. 

Commenting on AEEDC student competition, Dr. Mohammed Abedin, AEEDC Scientific Vice-Chairman said, “AEEDC Student Competition provides a unique opportunity to all dental students in their last academic years to interact actively with their counterparts from different dental colleges and universities. The face-to-face competition aims to build a solid foundation for the exchange of knowledge and information, and expanding the students’ horizons on various issues of dentistry.”

“Students will need to answer challenging dental questions in various subjects ranging from Infection Control and Four Handed Dentistry to Implantology and Oral Surgery. Competing teams strive for one goal: winning the “AEEDC Knowledge Champion,” he added.

The UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai 2017) will continue until 9th of February, and it is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, a member of INDEX Holding. It is worth mentioning that Dubai Health Authority, INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions (an ADA CERP recognized provider), and Arab Academy for Continuing Dental Education accredit AEEDC Dubai Conference.