Countries | Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Non-communicable Diseases: Millions of deaths can be prevented

June 20, 2011

Last Thursday, June 16th, in New York, at the United Nations, a very important hearing regarding the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases took place.

The UN headquarters in New York

This interactive hearing, organized by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Joseph Deiss, involved non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia. All Member States were invited, too. FDI was there taking a strong position on this issue, once more without losing the opportunity to identify steps for a future action plan.

Jean-Luc Eiselé spoke on behalf of WHPA, too.

Jean-Luc Eiselé spoke on behalf of WHPA

Non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes – kill three in five people worldwide. We could ask why there are no more negotiations and outcomes to prevent this kind of diseases worldwide. Maybe because its own name doesn’t help. Regarding this opinion, I underline the report of HRH Princess Dina Mired (Jordan) at the opening session: diseases denominated non-communicable are undervalued in its impact on public opinion. It’s like if they are not communicable there is no need to communicate it or release it, so it’s not important. We have the idea that only what is communicable it’s important, so we have here an elementary problem in drawing attention. And more than ever, social mobilization efforts are needed.

Princess Dina Mired (Jordan) at the opening session

I am deeply concerned with the outcomes of this hearing, which will form the basis for the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly, next September, where I also hope to be present. Our purpose should be to join several opinion makers in order to bring more inputs to this discussion and create a strong circle for a strong call of attention.

Me, Marion Bergman (Miracle Corners of the World) and Roberto Vianna

It’s our duty, as FDI members, to be aware and to make each government aware of the problem of non-communicable diseases and recommend specific actions for each one. What is being done, and what can be done. How can we communicate what seems to be non-communicable! It will be a marathon to reduce the impact and deaths caused by non-communicable diseases, but a solid start began in NY. And I was there.

Running at Central Park

(Photo “The UN headquarters in New York” licensed from Steve Cadman/Wikimedia Commons under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic)

Comments Off on Non-communicable Diseases: Millions of deaths can be prevented | FDI World, USA | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Portuguese Prime Minister-elect: Pedro Passos Coelho

June 8, 2011

Dr. Pedro Passos Coelho is the new Prime Minister-elect of Portugal, elected last 5th June. He will lead a centre-right government that has the purpose to implement a demanding austerity programme to make sure that Portugal honoured the terms of the bail-out and achieve new prosperity.

Comments Off on Portuguese Prime Minister-elect: Pedro Passos Coelho | Portugal | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

18th International Dental Congress of the Turkish Dental Association

May 31, 2011

It wasn’t my first time in Turkey, but it was the first time I fell in love with turkey and its people. Maybe my predisposition was different this time, maybe what I saw touched me in a different way, or maybe it was just because I was welcomed so friendly.

I landed felling that even small things can give us pleasant surprises.

At the Miniaturk (the biggest miniature park of the World)

The organization of the 18th International Dental Congress of the Turkish Dental Association was super and they really did a very good job. The organization was exceptional, both of the scientific program and of the exhibition area.

At the opening ceremony I addressed some words to our colleagues, on behalf of FDI World Dental Federation. I’m leaving here the link for my speech (PDF, 53 KB). Bellow is Dr. Taner Yucel, who has given so much to TDA.

FDI has an important role on supporting its members. I was honored to take a closer look at TDA’s development and work, especially at the growth of its congress and at the dynamic role of dentistry in here. There are almost 25.000 dentists in Turkey and 23.144 of them are actively practicing their profession. The TDA was founded in 1986 and since then has been organizing the profession. Turks have an inspiring ability to keep things in perspective, and moving towards doing better. As a dentist with a voice within dentistry worldwide, I will always share what motivates each one of us for doing better in the field of oral health. Having in mind that even if we are a shadow or so different from the others that surround us, we will never quit, but instead we will try to fit at the space we have to act.

I took the opportunity to speak to several colleagues and establish contacts for FDI. I would like to involve more and more each one of those who aim to have better oral health for their populations.

Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Dr. Tarek Abbas Hassan (president of Egyptian Dental Association) and Dr. Ghassan Yared (president Liban Dental Association)

Dr. Taner Yucel, Dr. Duyger Ilhan and Dr. Philippe Rusca

Prof. Dr. Taner Yücel, Prof. Nermin Yamalik, Dr. Duyger Ilhan and Dr. Philippe Rusca

The land of Alexander the Great, the land where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, the land of the Ottoman Empire, the land of the fought battles is now the land of a cosmopolitan future, where dentistry has a place of great importance and will shape the world, accordingly. Where tradition could reach modern times!

Thinking about Julius Caesar’s words regarding Turkey “Veni. Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered), I could say that this great civilization has that effect on people: I arrived, I saw and I was conquered.

Only the cat remains as nothing had changed, glancing towards the future where dentistry has already conquered its place!

TDA Istanbul Congress Newspaper

1 Comment | Turkey | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Best Smile 2010 for Mr. Vicente Del Bosque

May 25, 2011

The Organización Colegial de Dentistas de España, through the Spanish Dental Association, awarded “Best Smile” 2010 to Mr. Vicente Del Bosque, the coach of the Spanish National Football Team, that last year won the World Cup for the first time for Spain. His career has been full of success accompanied by ethical values such as fair play and fellowship. This is the profile needed to receive this prize that awards the dedication and dignity of successful work. The same purpose as us dentists, I believe.

It was a pleasure, for a football’s passionate like me, to meet Mr. Del Bosque and Fernando Hierro, one of the icons not only of Real Madrid Club, but also of Football worldwide. Hierro made story as a central defender or defensive midfielder in RMC for 14 years.

I would like to highlight the positive initiative of the Spanish Dental Association, and specially address my colleague Manuel Villa Vigil my recognition for his dedicated performance leading the SDA.

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments Off on Best Smile 2010 for Mr. Vicente Del Bosque | Spain | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

14th BIAL Medical Award in Medical Sciences

May 12, 2011

Bial is an internationally renowned Portuguese company and its mission is to, among others things, discover and develop therapeutic solutions within the area of health. Bial has been taking on an important role in researching and developing new drugs.

I had the pleasure to be at the ceremony of the BIAL Merit Award in Medical Sciences, last Friday (6th May 2011). This award is one of the most important in the field of health in Europe.
Professor Vladimir Hachinski, a distinguished researcher in the areas of dementia and stroke, was awarded with the sum of 200,000 Euros.

For this and for so much more, I feel that I have to highlight Bial’s work. And because I believe that people are the most important, I have to congratulate Dr. Luis Portela for his presidency in BIAL, along these years.

Prof. Vladimir Hachinski, President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Bial's President, Dr. Luís Portela

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments Off on 14th BIAL Medical Award in Medical Sciences | Portugal | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Meeting with the President of the Portuguese Republic

April 30, 2011

Portuguese President

Last 21 April I was received by His Excellency, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva, at the Belém Palace, in Lisbon.

I had the opportunity, on the one hand, to introduce FDI World Dental Federation, highlighting its activities and projects, and on the other hand, I had the chance to present a set of concerns about Portuguese dentistry and oral health.

All of those items were positively welcomed by the President.

See more on the FDI website.

Comments Off on Meeting with the President of the Portuguese Republic | Portugal | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

International Association of Dental Students

April 6, 2011

Babak Sayahpour and Artjom Meier

To be a dentist is also to be thirsty of new incomes and share experiences. And when this feeling begins while we are students, nothing can stop us. I remember very well my times at the university, and early a will of doing more and learn fast. That’s why it’s very easy for students to catch my attention and my support.

I met Babak Sayahpour and Artjom Meier from IADS – International Association of Dental Students, last IDS, in Cologne. They shared with me some of those feelings and the wish to involve all students around the world, believing that sharing experiences will make the difference not only as persons, but also as dentists.

Comments Off on International Association of Dental Students | Germany | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

34th International Dental Show

March 30, 2011

IDS is a recognizable brand in the dental market and its 34th edition was once more a place for important meetings and contacts.

I had the opportunity to participate in several important meetings in this huge International Dental Show, in Cologne, representing the FDI World Dental Federation, in my quality of President-elect.

I had meetings with FDI partner’s, from IDM, International Dental Manufacturers and with several stakeholders that were present in Cologne. And, of course, promoting our FDI Congress in Mexico, 14-17 Sept. 2011.

Our new Executive Director, Jean-Luc Eiselé, caused also a strong positive impression within FDI partners.

Jaime Edelson, Asociación Dental Mexicana, President

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments Off on 34th International Dental Show | Germany, IDM, Organizations | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Message from the Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

March 21, 2011

Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

Introduction
Greetings from Malaysia. It is my great pleasure to post a short message in the esteemed newsletter of your Portuguese Dental Association.

Historical Tie between Malaysia and Portugal
The tie between Malaysia and Portugal can be traced back to 500 years ago in Malacca. Incidentally, I was born in Malacca and very familiar with the history between Portugal and Malacca. We still have a replica Portuguese ship showcased at the Malacca harbor and remnants of buildings dating back to the Portuguese era, not to mention the many Portuguese descendants in Malacca today.

Malaysia’s vision in Dentistry
Malaysia is a fast growing nation in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific Region, and the healthcare industry is an important growth area in our national economy. We plan to develop Dental Tourism and position Malaysia as a major regional player. Towards this end, we place great emphasis on continuing dental education and life-long learning to promote Malaysia as a centre of excellence for dental care. We will also be investing in new facilities to position Malaysia at the forefront of dental technology.

Malaysia’s drive to be a hub for international conferences
I have urged the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) to also help position Malaysia as a centre of excellence for international conferences. Through the good office of the President of MDA, Dato’ Dr How Kim Chuan, we have successfully organized the 67th MDA AGM/FDI International conference as well as the 18th FDI/MDA International conference with resounding success.

Riding on this high note, we have successfully bid for the 2012 Commonwealth Dental Conference and 2013 Asia Pacific Dental Congress, and I am confident that these two conferences would be very successful as well.

Now I wish to express Malaysia’s wish to host the 2015 FDI World Dental Congress. Malaysia had hosted the FDI World Dental Congress in 2001 at around the same time as the 911 tragedy. Despite this mayhem, we successfully organized the congress with a large turnout of about 15,000 delegates. I am confident that we would be able to do even better if we were given the hosting right in 2015.

I wish to endorse the MDA’s bid for this FDI World Congress. The Ministry of Health as well as the Malaysian government would give our support to MDA for the bidding process. I also wish to urge the support of the FDI President Elect, Dr Orlando Monteiro Da Silva, and the Portuguese Dental Association in Malaysia’s bid, and your support as well for Malaysia’s candidacy in the FDI Council.

I would like to welcome all of you to visit Malaysia and assure you of our warmest Malaysian hospitality. Thank you.

Comments Off on Message from the Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai | Malaysia | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Condolences to the people of Japan

March 18, 2011

I would like to leave here a short word for the situation in Japan. I already expressed my deeply sadness to the President of the Japan Dental Association, Dr. Mitsuo Okubo and to Prof Masaki Kambara, FDI Councilor, for the tragic devastation brought by the earthquake and consequently the radioactive steam that is being relieve. It’s dramatic.

I have been kept attention for the follow-up of this nuclear catastrophe that caught the Japanese people, but I’m confident that all efforts would be made for Japan’s recover and rebuild.

I believe that an all-out rescue effort will be needed and that everyone could help in what may concern. I would like to sensitize all dentists that have availability and resources to help the victims that may need dental treatment and to assist in identifying victims through observation an analysis of the registration dental clinic.

My thoughts remain with the people of Japan.

Comments Off on Condolences to the people of Japan | Japan | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva