The 20th Annual Congress of the Portuguese Dental Association was held last 10, 11 and 12 November, in Lisbon. With renowned national and international speakers, with a great organization committee and with a professional and dedicated team we had done a memorable celebration of the twentieth PDA congress.
10th November
The doors opened at 9 am to receive 5745 visitants and delegates.
I had the honor to have the presence of several delegations from other dental associations and countries worldwide. Angola; Brazilian Dental Association (ABO, ABCD and APCD); Bulgarian Dental Association; Cape Verde Dental Association; Guinea Bissau Dental Association; Iranian Dental Association and from the Greater New York Dental Meeting. The Executive Director of FDI, the Vice-President of the Council of European Dentists and representatives from IADS were present as well.

With João Aquino (left), president of the PDA Board of Ethics and Discipline; Mamadu Cande, president of the Guinea-Bissau Dental Association and António Felino chairman of the PDA Oral Surgery College
11th November
Friday was the day of the Opening Ceremony with the presence of the Health Secretary of State, Dr. Fernando Leal da Costa.

Me and the president of the Organizing Committee of the Congress welcoming the secretary of State Assistant to the Minister for Health, Fernando Leal da Costa
It was announced important news for Oral Health, such as the enlargement of the Oral Health Program, by the Secretary of State and by my side the strategy to implement the new Nomenclature Table of PDA.
Solemn Session Speech | Discurso de Cerimónia de Abertura
The exhibition Expo-Dentária is already a renowned brand, this year with 115 companies present.

With the secretary of State, Fernando Leal da Costa and with the president of the Iranian Dental Association, Reza Ghaznavi

During the visit to the main Exhibition Hall, with Pedro Pires (vice-president of the PDA Board), Jean-Luc Eisele, FDI executive director and with Fernando Leal da Costa, secretary of State
The Gala Dinner of the Congress took place at the Oriente Museum followed by a huge party at Kapital to celebrate the 20 years of PDA Congresses. The place were small for all of whom wanted to join us.

With Portuguese colleagues, from left to right: João Dias, José Rosa, Nuno Montezuma, João Braga and João Caramês
12th Novembro
Last day of the congress! The conferences rooms still full of colleagues.
There was time to promote a meeting between IADS and Portuguese Dental Students Associations. My eyes are always looking to students and young dentists from long time ago, it’s an old concern. Portugal hasn’t delegates at IADS and the aim of that meeting was to promote further developments between all of them.
8 pm. The doors were closed! But one will to return every year make of PDA congress much more than a congress… A congress where science, continuing education, dental marketing, dentistry trade, dental policies and friendship join together in a perfect 3 days… to do more than a congress!