61st Indian Dental Conference, Mangalore –
A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS……the 61st Indian Dental Conference held from 25 – 28 January 2008 in Mangalore was a Grand Gala Extravaganza. Over 5,000 participants attended the 4-day journey through the most comprehensive Educational and Training Schedule. Though the city of Mangalore has played host to some of the finest conventions of our Profession, the 61st Indian Dental Conference 2008 was miles ahead of what anyone could have expected. The Conference was truly an epic under the able stewardship of Prof. (Dr.) U. S. Krishna Nayak, Organising Chairman and ably supported by Dr. Ramesh Shenoy, Co-Chairman, Dr. Manjunath Rai, Organising Secretary, Capt. (Dr.) R. Bellie, Conference Secretary and a team of young & dynamic Committee Members and Convenors.

IDC Mangalore got off to an impressive start at the Dr TMA Pai International Convention and Exhibition Centre at Mangalore on 25th January, 2008. The Chief Guest, Padmabhushan Dr. Anil Kohli, President, Dental Council of India, inaugurated the four day Conference. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Anil Kohli emphasised the need for Accreditation as a prerequisite for renewal of Council/ Practicing Registrations and also stressed that the minimum pay for a BDS tutor should be atleast Rs 15,000/-. He promised that in the near future Dental Units would be established at all Primary Health Centres ( PHCs) and pointed out that Rs 50 Crores have been earmarked in the 11th Health Plan by the Planning Commission. Initiating the Scientific Programme, Prof.(Dr.) H. S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, Manipal University and Guest of Honour, said that the programme aimed at promoting the interchange of ideas from the Indian and global dental fraternity on the defined theme of exploring ‘Newer Horizons’. The Dental Exhibition, thrown open by Shri B Sambamurthy, CMD Corporation Bank, witnessed more than 250 companies showcasing their State-of-the-Art Dental Technology, Equipment and Products. Dr. Bhagwant Singh, Vice President, APDF/ APRO, released the Conference Souvenir on the occasion.

The Conference, coinciding with the Diamond Jubilee Year of IDA Dakshina Kannada Branch, one of the oldest Branches of IDA in the Country, turned out to be far bigger and better organized in terms of grandeur and participation than what had been visualized and expected by all. Renowned Faculties from abroad coupled with their elite Indian counterparts explored ‘Newer Horizons’ and focused on subjects like Implants, Rotary Endodontics, Smile Designing, Ceramic Restorations, etc. According to the Organizing Committee, the state-of-the-art Conference Venue, Auditorium and Exhibition halls as well as the impressive infrastructure at the Convention Centre have enabled them to offer a wealth of services to the delegates. The highlights of the Scientific Programme were the two Symposia: ‘Dental Infection Control And Occupational Safety – Recommendations For Oral Health Professionals’ chaired by Padmabhushan Brigadier Dr. Anil Kohli along with Dr. Raghunath Puttiah, Director, Infection Control, Baylor College of Dentistry, USA. The second on Oral Cancer Prevention was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) James J. Sciubba, the world renowned oral pathologist. The Conference also encompassed a couple of specialized Oration lectures as well. While the prestigious Colgate Oration titled “Oral Cancer Prevention” was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) James J. Sciubba, Director of Dental and Oral Medicine, The John Hopkins Medical Centre, USA, the revered Dr. R. Ahmed Oration on “the Central Place of the Stomatognathic System in the Architectural Organization of the Cranio-maxillofacial region; its significance in surgery” was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Paul Salins, Director, Craniomaxillofacial Surgical Centre, Meenakshi University, Chennai. The Gala Carnival- ‘Kudlotsava’ and the Presidential Banquet were undoubtedly events that had showcased Mangalore’s unique history and rich cultural heritage. The delegates also had a first hand experience of the local dance and art forms besides a social get together at which the delicious coastal cuisine the city is famous for constituted the subject for the delegates to dwell upon.

All in all, the 61st Indian Dental Conference 2008 was indeed a delightful and thoroughly educative, enjoyable, and emotive occasion.