KOTA KINABALU: The fifth Borneo Dental Congress 2015 (5th BDC 2015) cum sixth Malaysian Dental Association Eastern Zone (MDA EZ) annual general meeting was held at Ming Garden Hotel Grand Ballroom here recently.
About 350 global dental practitioners and professionals congregated at the hotel for the two-day event from March 20 to 22, with the theme ‘Exploring Beyond The Boundries of The Convention Dental Treatment’.
The annual dental trade fair and conference provided an excellent opportunity for the MDA EZ delegation to interact with established leaders in the field, new entrants in the arena, industry experts and dental trade professionals.
This year’s approach is to have more knowledge on Forensic Odontology in relation to the air tragedies of MH 17 and QZ 8501 whose victims were identified through dental record.
The full exposure of the comprehensive method on forensic odontology was displayed during the congress.
The state government was also advised on the modus operandi and how the state could help in this operation.
Keynote speakers were Dr Norhayati Jaafar and Brigadier General Dato’ Dr Ilham Harun.
The congress was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who in his speech welcomed the congress to be an annual event in Sabah and the State Government will give its full support.
His speech was read by Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Department, Datuk Ir Edward Yong Oui Fah.
Meanwhile, organizing chairman Dr James Chhoa Jau Min said that the trade exhibition kicked-off with the ribbon cutting ceremony and the trade fair provided an expanded showcase of the latest dental equipment from across the globe, with a 20 percent increase in exhibition floor space.
A total of 25 exhibitors from 20 companies presented exhibits ranging from preventive and restorative treatment procedures to surgical equipment and laboratory tools.
The “Zipline for Hope” project was done as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society, with 10 orphans sponsored to enjoy the Longest Flying Fox journey from Pulau Gaya to Pulau Sapi. The collections of this project was donated to Hope Village, Tuaran, As-Sakinah Orphanage Home, Kinarut and Rumah Anak Kesayangan, Sembulan.
The hands–on workshop started earlier on Friday, with Dr Loh Kai Woh giving a lecture on management of lower incisor crowding and Dr Shalini Kanagasingam’s workshop was on endodontic troubleshooting.
During the annual general meeting, the new office bearers elected were chairman Dr Abd Rashid Bin Hassan, honorary secretary Dr James Chu Kok Weng, honorary treasurer Dr James Chhoa Jau Min, exco members Dr Alex Lo Shen En, Dr Edric Chik-Eurn Kho, Dr Chen Yu Nieng, Dr Cindy Chong Ei Yen and Dr Stephanie Sim Wee Sann. The auditor is Dr Nurshaline Pauline Hj Kipli.