Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition

Interview: 'The Majority of Qatari Dentists have a specialty certificate' VITA ENAMIC® creates a new definition for resistance The first hybrid ceramic with dual network structure for unsurpassed absorption of masticatory forces VITA ENAMIC sets new standards for resistance by combining strength and elasticity and providing unsur- passed absorption of masticatory forces. VITA ENAMIC ensures utmost dependability and efficient processing for dental practices and laboratories. And patients feel The En formula for success: strength + elasticity = reliability² 3411E that VITA ENAMIC restorations are identical to natural teeth. VITA ENAMIC is particularly suited for crown resto- rations in the posterior area and minimally invasive restora- tions. More information at www.vita-enamic.com facebook.com/vita.zahnfabrik 3411E_210x297.indd 1 14.12.12 10:38 here in the Middle East? I think it is very well developed, and that this is the right time to join the Middle Eastern Dental Market. Every day we hear about new dental schools and new dental clinics opening. At the moment, most of these Middle Eastern countries have a need for all of this- the market is very, very good. How is the experience level of the Qatari Dentists in general? In Qatar we actually have 922 dentists, around 120 of whom are Qatari, and the rest being an international crowd. The ma- jority of Qatari dentists have a specialty certificate, and in the private clinics most of the doctors are General Practitioners. We also have around 70-75 Dental Technicians, and though I know that this is still quite a way from the number that we should have, we are definitely working on it. What can you share about the Dental Edu- cation in Qatar? Until now we do not have a dental school, but Qatar Dental Society, Hamad Medical Corporation and other health sectors are doing continuing education courses and workshops every month in order to update all the information and knowledge of all of the dentists in Qatar. When developing the Qatari Dental Market, do you look competitively at other Middle Eastern countries in specific the GCC? There is absolutely competition between countries: everyone wants to be the best, and make their country the best. I think we are all still developing all of this in Qatar and with time we will reach the point that we are looking for. We are waiting for the Dental School to be open in Qatar. Hopeful- ly someday soon we will have it. You mentioned earlier you are planning a conference in 2014, could you elaborate? Year after year the Qatar Dental Society and The Qatar International Dental Con- ference is growing. In 2009 we had an at- tendance of around 270, and by 2012 we have reached 850, we are now looking to increase this number still. In 2009, we did not have a workshop but in 2012 our work- shop was fully booked! So now for 2014, we are planning to have more than six or seven workshops pre-conference. As usual, we also have a number of speakers coming from across the world, covering a variety of specialties and hot topics. The developments sound very interest- ing and Dental Tribune Middle East & Af- rica wishes you the very best in your fu- ture endevours. Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers? I would like to say thank you to DTMEA for giving me a chance to speak about the Qatar Dental Society, and Qatar in gener- al and you are all very welcome to visit us when you can. Thank you Dr. Mohammad, we will be glad to. by Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa D oha, Qatar: Dr. Mohammad Al- Darwish, President of Qatar Dental Society, thank for taking the time for this interview. Can you tell us about yourself and experience as a Dentist? My name is Dr. Mohammaed Al-Darwish, President of Qatar Dental Society, and Prosthodontics in Hamad Medical Corpo- ration at Al-Wakra Hospital in Qatar. My experience as a Dentist began when I grad- uated with my bachelor degree in 1997 from Alexandria University. After this time, I joined Hamad Medical Corporation. as a resident for two years before I went to Chicago, USA to continue my postgraduate studies in Prosthodontics in the Universi- ty of Illinois - where I stayed for 5 years be- fore moving back to Qatar in 2005. In De- cember, 2007 we established the Qatar Den- tal Society, and organizing the first Qatar International Conference in 2009 with the second conference being in April 2012. We are now in the process of establishing a Qa- tar Dental Journal. Could you comment on the Dental Market Dr. Mohammad Al-Darwish, President of Qatar Dental Society "Now is the right time to join the Middle East Dental market" 28 Dental tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | March-April 2013politics