English | Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Meeting with President of the Portuguese Republic

May 8, 2014

As President of the National Council of Professional Orders (CNOP), I had a meeting with Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Portuguese Republic.

The main points addressed to the President were the European elections and its political moment; the revision of the self-regulation legislative process in course under Government initiative, and mobility of the qualified professions particularly on the European context.

CNOP represents 16 Orders and more than 300.000 qualified professionals in Portugal.

600px-20140506-presidente-republica-audiencia-001

From left to right, Pedro Biscaia (vice-president of the General Council of the Order of Layers), José Azevedo Rodrigues (president of the Order of Chartered Accountants), Carlos Pereira Martins (president of the Executive Committee of the CNOP), Carlos Matias Ramos (president of the Order of the Engineers), Alexandra Bento (president of the Order of Nutritionists), Orlando Monteiro da Silva (president of CNOP and president of the Dental Portuguese Order), and Aníbal Cavaco Silva, president of the Portuguese Republic.

2 Comments | English, Portugal | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

WOHD 2014. Celebrating healthy smiles in Portugal!

March 30, 2014

The celebrations of World Oral Health Day 2014, in Portugal, were held in Cultural Centre of Belém in Lisbon.

The Portuguese Government and the Portuguese Dental Association caught the theme “Celebrating healthy smiles” and teamed up with reading through national project “SOBE”, aiming to develop actions that promote reading, happiness and oral health.

The celebrations had two moments: in the morning a playful program for children and in the afternoon an institutional session. In parallel, an exhibition was held based on the book “Articulate – Oral Health and Art.”

The celebrations in Portugal had the collaborative approach oral health/education as the main focus. This partnership was well received and should be maintained and developed in the future.

The morning session was attended by about 150 children and nearly 200 people. General Director of Health, Francisco George, interactively welcomed children. The atmosphere was full of happiness and joy.

1_WOD2014_PT Opening of the event with children.

2_WOD2014_PT General Director of Health, Francisco George.

3_WOD2014_PT Theatre for children.

The afternoon session, targeted to health stakeholders, decision makers and politicians was attended by about 100 people. The results and the projects of both the National Oral Health Promotion Programme (NOHPP) and project SOBE were presented. The debate on oral cancer inclusion on the NOHPP was quite participated.

In the closing session, as President of the PDA, I presented the “FDI White Paper – Oral Health Worldwide”. The Portuguese Secretary of State for Education addressed the relationship between oral health and reading projects in this area that have been undertaken by the government.

The session was closed by the Health Minister, who praised oral health professionals and reading for the help and support they have given to this government towards the promotion of oral health of Portuguese people.

He also mentioned the extension of the National of Oral Health Promotion Programme including Oral Cancer early diagnosis; the success of oral health and reading kits which have now been extended into School Libraries of Portuguese speaking countries and the early intervention in oral cancer project.

4_WOD2014_PT Me addressing at the closing session.

5_WOD2014_PT Minister of Health, Paulo Macedo, addressing at the closing session.

6_WOD2014_PT Minister of Health, Secretary of State for Education, João Grancho, and me.

7_WOD2014_PT Last remarks for media.

1 Comment | English, Portugal, Portuguese Dental Association | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

President of the Portuguese Dental Association dedicates honorary doctorate to dental medicine

January 30, 2014

Photos, video and my speech (PDF) of the ceremony awarding the honorary doctorate to the dentist Orlando Monteiro da Silva, on January 15th at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto.

The dentist and President of the Portuguese Dental Association was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa by the University of Porto, on January 15th 2014, and dedicated this tribute to those who helped the Portuguese population become aware of the importance of oral health.

Doutoramento honoris causa de Orlando Monteiro da Silva (15 janeiro 2014, FMUP)

webimg680px-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-046

webimg-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-043

webimg-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-093

Doutoramento honoris causa de Orlando Monteiro da Silva (15 janeiro 2014, FMUP)

webimg600px-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-discursos

webimg-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-114

Doutoramento honoris causa de Orlando Monteiro da Silva (15 janeiro 2014, FMUP)

webimg-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-159

webimg680px-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-extra

webimg-20140115-honoris-causa-oms-019

“It is a tribute to Portuguese dentistry and all those that since the early 70s, which was when dentistry appeared in Portugal, contributed to the Portuguese population’s awareness of the importance of oral health in overall health and quality of live”, said Orlando Monteiro da Silva.

“It is itself a genius and visionary initiative of two Professors, Afonso Pinhão Ferreira , Director of FMDUO, and António Felino, president of the Scientific Council, an additional milestone of enormous significance, and most relevant to the development and consolidation of dentistry” he emphasized in his speech.

The President considered that it was “the recognition, more than fair, of the path of many in the establishment of dentistry, “having found in myself”, possibly, the best placed recipient.”

“We cannot, however, forget to mention the public policies of education, prevention and treatment, through the National Program for Oral Health and Regional Programs, articulated with OMD, which contributed decisively to the improvement of oral health indexes of populations, helping Portugal to reach, in only a few years, the average of EU countries and the OECD.” he underlined.

Biography Note

Orlando Monteiro da Silva was born in Porto and graduated from Dental Medicine in the University of Porto.

He is President of the Portuguese Dental Association since 2001, and has occupied several positions in national and international renowned institutions.

In 2003 he was elected to the board of the Council of European Dentists, CED, having later served a term as its president, between 2006 and 2009.

In 2004 he was a candidate for the council of FDI – World Dental Federation, having become the first Portuguese to assume decision-making positions within this global organization of dentistry. He promoted the affiliation to FDI of East Timor, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau and the Lusophone Dental Association.

The importance of strengthening Portuguese dentists and dentistry at national and international level, as well as the relevance of learning and bringing experiences from outside in, have marked his work as President of the Dental Association.

In 2010 he acted as president of FDI – World Dental Federation, a position he held until the end of term in August 2013. He was the first Portuguese to become President of the most important organization of world dentistry.

In 2011, he was elected president of the National Council of Professional Bodies (CNOP) and in 2012 took over as Director of the Economic and Social Portuguese Council, for the four years between 2011 and 2015.

1 Comment | English, Portugal | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Orlando Monteiro da Silva receives honorary doctorate from University of Porto

January 13, 2014

The University of Porto conferment of degree doctor honoris causa to Orlando Monteiro da Silva, by proposal of the Faculty of Dental Medicine. It’s the first time that a dentist is recognised in Portugal.

With origins dating back to the eighteenth century, the University of Porto is currently one the most prestigious higher education institutions of Europe.

A public institution close to 32,000 students, 2,400 teachers and researchers along with 1,600 administrative staff attend its 15 schools and 60 scientific research units, spread across three university campuses located in the city of Porto.

With 14 faculties and a business school, the University of Porto provides an exceptional variety of courses, covering the whole range of study areas and all levels of higher education. In fact, offering over 600 training programmes per year (from degrees to continuous professional training), the University of Porto has teaching solutions for everyone.

The immediately previous distinguished was Jean-Claude Juncker in 2013. See all 79 contemplated here since 1921.

Biography Note

Orlando Monteiro da Silva was born in Porto and graduated in dentistry from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto.

President of the Portuguese Dental Association since 2001, Orlando Monteiro da Silva has occupied several functions both in national and international prominent institutions.

In 2003 he was elected to the board of the Council of European Dentists, CED, having later served a mandate as its president, between 2006 and 2009.

In 2004, he was a candidate for the council of FDI – World Dental Federation, having become the first Portuguese person to assume decision-making functions within this global organization of dentistry. He promoted the adhesion of East Timor, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and the Lusophone Dental Association to the FDI.

University of Porto The importance of advocating for Portuguese dentists and dentistry both nationally and internationally, as well as for the relevance of learning and of bringing experiences from abroad, have marked his work as President of the Portuguese Dental Association, Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas, regulatory body of the profession in Portugal.

In 2011 he acted as president of FDI – World Dental Federation, a position he occupied until the end of his term in August 2013.

In 2011, he was elected president of the National Council of Professional Associations (CNOP) and in 2012 he took office as councillor of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council, for four years from 2011 to 2015.

2 Comments | English, Portugal | Tagged: dental, dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, porto, university, university of porto | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Madrid: Current practice of Dentistry in Europe

December 29, 2013

Last 21 December, by invitation of the Spanish Dental Association, I participated at the Round Table “Current practice of Dentistry in Europe” of the XXXIV Congresso Nacional e XIV Internacional do Consejo General de Colegios de Odontólogos y Estomatólogos de España.

Other colleagues, as Stefaan Hanson, Marco Landi, Catherine Mojaïsky, Philippe Rusca, Gerhard Konrad Seeberger and Michael Sereny had also contributed with their opinion and experience. The moderator was Juan Manuel Aragoneses and Manuel Alfonso Villa Vigil, president of the Consejo, was the host of this relevant round table.

The highlight and topics that were under discussion:

numerus clausus: limitation in the number of incoming student at university in EU;
number of Dental Schools;
number of students that begin Dentistry studies each year;
percentage of population that uses dental services;
percentage of population that goes to the dentist without a “perceived need” annually;
Funds and/or supports from Governments to dental services;
private treatments / kind of payments
Advertising

webimg1000px-20131221-madrid-gala-consejo-035
From left to right, Andrés Plaza Costa, Manuel Alfonso Villa Vigil and Juan Antonio López Calvo.

webimg1000px20131221-madrid-gala-consejo-000

webimg1000px-20131222-madrid-gala-consejo-053
From left to right, Enrique Llobell Palanca, Premio Santa Apolonia, my wife, Manuel Alfonso Villa Vigil, Llobell’s wife and me.

webimg1000px-20131221-madrid-gala-consejo-022

webimg1000px-20131221-madrid-gala-consejo-023
Press conference at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium of Real Madrid. Gerhard Seeberger, speaker at the round table too, interpellating a journalist…

2 Comments | English, Spain | Tagged: dental, madrid | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders

December 18, 2013

I really appreciated participating , by kind invitation of Steve Kess, treasurer and vice-president, Global Professional Relations Henry Schein, Inc., in the Leadership Development Program with the Alliance for Oral Health.

…”The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders was founded for the purpose of promoting peace and well-being through oral health in countries, regions, and communities in the world, particularly those facing social, economic, and political unrest. Using oral health as the path, members of the AOHAB are committed — independently of any political agendas — to foster, create, and sustain collaborative relationships in order to bring about peace and harmony among people.

Over 50 participants from 14 countries came together in NY.

AOHAB is a nonprofit, international nongovernmental organization created by oral health care professionals and oral health advocates — dentists, dental educators, members of the oral health care team, business leaders, researchers, public servants, administrators, advocates and others — representing dozens of nationalities with the vision of achieving global peace and health through oral health by means of collaborative dialogue and action.

The overall guiding principle of AOHAB is based on ethical behaviour and impartiality, respecting all racial, ethnic, religious, political, gender, and age characteristics of people everywhere. AOHAB is dedicated to the spirit of humanitarianism, having genuine concern for the lives of others and their improvement, and fostering mutual understanding and respect for the human right to health, including oral health, for all.

Within this context, members of AOHAB view oral health as an integral part of general health, with many of the risk factors shared with diseases affecting other body systems. The projects to be  sponsored by AOHAB should promote health, prevent disease, and provide appropriate health care for populations in areas in conflict or with social/economic distress…”

A list of reputated members are already committed with the Alliance,

Faculties,
• Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, USA
• Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Quds University, Palestine
• Case School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, USA
• School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, China
• Faculty of Dentistry, Hacettepe University, Turkey
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, USA
• Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
• Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
• Dental Institute, Kings College London, UK
• Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait
• Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, India
• Faculty of Stomatology, Medical University, Bulgaria
• Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Russian Federation
• School of Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Republic of Tanzania
• Department of Oral Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
• School of Stomatology, Peking University, China
• School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, USA
• The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
• Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, USA
• Tokyo Dental College, Japan
• School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, USA
• School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco, USA
• Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, USA
• Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Sydney, Australia
• Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Canada
• Pre-Dental Society & Student Run Free-Dental Clinic, University of California San Diego, USA

And industry …
• Air Technics
• Bedford Healthcare Solutions
• Crosstext
• DMG America LLC
• Henry Schein
• Premier Dental Products
• The P&G Company
• Septodont

The project has a fantastic potential. I’m sure we al will hear more, much more about the AOHAB!

1 Comment | English, USA | Permalink
Posted by Orlando Monteiro da Silva

The PDA Congress 2013 in Lisbon. More than a congress…

December 17, 2013

The Portuguese Dental Association (PDA) organise, every year, the largest dental congress in Portugal. This year it took place in Lisbon, from 21 till 23 November under the Tagus River scenery.

lisboa4

20131121-congresso-omd-lisboa-0442

With a scientific programme of renowned national and international experts, the conferences – covering all aspects of dental medicine today, of PDA congress had all the conference rooms stretched to the limit of its capacity. Nearly 8000 participants, from some 17 countries, filled the conferences rooms.

Opening Ceremony
This year’s Opening Ceremony, on 22 November, included a Portuguese comedian, named Nilton, for a relaxed glimpse of the profession just before of institutional speeches.