CAD/CAM Magazine

46 I I meetings _ IDS 2011 OnepartnershipthatwasstartedatIDSisbecom- ing an important political aspect of the profession: collaboration between the VDZI and the European Association for Dental Technology. The aim of the collaboration is to combine dental technology ex- pertise and provide further training of the highest standard in both theory and practice so that practi- tioners can learn about the latest state-of-the-art dental technology. _Speakers’ Corner well visited Many IDS visitors took advantage of the Spea- kers’ Corner feature to gather information on the latestdevelopmentsinscienceandresearch.Around 80exhibitorspresentedtheirnewproductsandtech- nologies. The presentation topics included implant systems, digitisation, dental aesthetics, laser tech- nology, dental anaesthesia and the benefits of mod- ern stress management for dentists. Dr Peter Engel, President of the German Dental Association(GFDI),oneoftheIDSorganisers,ishappy with the positive outcome of the trade fair: “Even more visitors and exhibitors than in previous years can mean only one thing: The profession is progres- sive and medium-sized German businesses are fos- tering innovation—and they’re attracting enormous interest internationally.” At the exhibition, the GFDI held a coordinating conference for aid organisations, at which over 40 participants presented aid projects seeking to improve the dental health of the world’s poor. The projects were developed by dentists and dental students who work in impoverished regions all over theworld.SomeofthemalsoworkinGermany.They provide dental services to a range of disadvantaged patients, including orphans, homeless people, dis- abled patients, drug addicts and inhabitants of re- moteareas,whowouldnotreceivetreatmentother- wise. To do this work, dentists and students often have to overcome enormous challenges. The coor- dinating conference offered participants a special opportunitytosharetheirexperiencesinorganising aid efforts. In collaboration with the VDZI, the GFDI will also organise the 35th IDS, which will take place from 12 to 16 March 2013._ CAD/CAM 2_2011