Orlando Monteiro da Silva

From the 10th to the 12th November Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas (Portuguese Dental Association) organized its annual congress, in Porto. This year we celebrated 25 years of congress, a milestone for Portuguese dental medicine. Already a recognized brand!

PDA 25th Congress (2016)
Total congress participants – 3 686
Number of scientific presentations – 161
Hands-on courses – 95
Number of entries at Expo-Dentária – 12 404

Since 1992, when the first Portuguese Dental Congresses took place, the affirmation and credibility of dental medicine as a regulated profession increased in Portugal over the years. During those years, Portuguese dentists shared the passionate dedication to dental medicine that made all the difference in the affirmation and growth of this Congress that nowadays is visited by more than 12 thousand participants.

It is always a huge effort, given that the organization is mostly composed by volunteers, but at the end we are filled with an enormous pride and feeling of mission accomplished!

OMD congress is also an important moment to create closer ties between colleagues from different parts of the world.

As such, we organized a round table discussion concerning “Regulation in Dentistry: Recognition of Professional Qualifications”, where we had as guests/speakers: Andrew I Spielman (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs NYU); Gilbert Bouteille, (President of the National Association of Dental Surgeons in France); Gerhard Seeberger (FDI – World Dental Federation Speaker); Marco Landi (President of the Council of European Dentists); Óscar Castro Reino (President of the Spanish General Dental Council); Cédric Grolleau (Jurist of the National Association of Dental Surgeons in France); Filipa Carvalho Marques (Director of OMD’s Legal Department), and me as OMD President.

Can health be seen as a common economic activity? It was the main idea and the question that launched the debate.

The opinions of the speakers in this short coverage video:

At the Opening Ceremony we had the presence of the Secretary of State Assistant and of Health, Fernando Araújo and guests from national and international institutions and ambassadors.

(…) “Even in 1963, the year I was born, Bob Dylan wrote in the chorus of the song that was to become a true anthem, “(…) times are changing …”

They were, of course! Maybe at a more sociologic level, regarding habits and behaviours.

Then, as now, times continue to change…

We are currently experiencing a time of profound changes, levered essentially by globalization, currently in course, the internet and new communication and information technologies, among others.” (…)

See full speech here (pdf)

“For the times they are a-changing” we have to be ready!

The course of dental regulation in Portuguese-speaking countries was also another focus at OMD congress. Challenges faced by dentists of the Portuguese-speaking countries are very different but still very important to share experiences and opinions, in view of the population’s increasing demand for quality oral health care.

Portuguese-speaking Dental Association Forum: Representatives of the profession and industry from Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Portugal.

In addition to the scientific and social professional programme, Expo-Dentária occurs simultaneously, a dental equipment and material exhibition that boasts more than 12 thousand participants, and is currently the greatest oral health exhibition in Portugal. Expo-Dentária’s official opening was held in the morning with a flash mob for everyone’s surprise.

As a passionate runner, I highlight the moment when we received the Portuguese Winner Ultrarunner Carlos Sá at our congress. To overcome everyday challenges, we have to be resilient. Do not give up on obstacles. Carlos Sá, winner of the 2013 Badwater Ultramarathon, California (217 km) in 24:38min, is an inspiration.

The Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) was founded in 1975 as an independent European organisation representing academic dentistry and the community of dental educators.

ADEE members are European university dental schools, about 80%, specialist societies or other national dental bodies concerned with or related to dental education.

I was invited by Damian Walmsley, ADEE President, to deliver a keynote address at the 40th ADEE Annual Meeting, held this year at the Rīga Stradiņš University, in Latvia, on 28th August.

I would like to thanks to ADEE and to Professor Ilze Akota, Chair of the Local Organising Committee, for the warm welcome and opportunity to share the strategic document Vision 2020.

My address: “Vision 2020, Shaping the future of oral health” focused very important challenges for the future of oral health.

Current traditional models of dental education have not been yet able to adequately address disparities in oral health. Moreover, there is a growing disconnect between dental and medical education, despite wide recognition that oral health is an integral component of general health. We are working to support the reshaping of educational models to better equip members of oral health care workforce team for the challenges. (Vision 2020)

Picture and comment from Kate Fabrikant,Professional and Scientific Relations Procter & Gamble.

“Discussion of future of oral health and barriers to overcome. Let’s focus on growing importance of health oriented dental education!”

Tour to the Institute of Stomatology, guided by Prof. Egita Senakola

With Damian Walmsley at the celebration Dinner at The Small Guild (the building was erected in the years 1864—66 after a project by architect Johann Felsko in Neo-Gothic style).

Thank You ADEE, Thank you Riga!