Dental Tribune South African Edition

3Local NewsDental Tribune South African Edition - August 2013 Chris Jenkins The much anticipated ITI Congress Southern Africa 2013 was held at Vodacom World in Midrand, Johannesburg on the 26th and 27th of July and was a phenomenal success. The International Team of Implantology (ITI) is a non-profit organization and network for dental professionals from all aspects of implant dentistry and related tissue regeneration from across the globe. The ITI HQ is located in Basel, Switzerland with 871 Fellows in 55 countries and a membership of 13 366 in 102 countries (as of July 1st, 2013). The ITI was founded in 1980 by Professor Andre’ Schroeder and Dr. h. c. Fritz Straumann with the purpose of funding research and laying foundations for continuing education. The ITI Southern African Section is represented in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Section currently has 17 Fellows and 251 members. The Section was not only involved in organising the ITI Congress Southern Africa 2013 but also holds a number of Study Club meetings across the country where there is an exchange of expertise, discussions and for members to be current with any latest developments in implant dentistry. Participation for ITI members is free whilst non-members can attend up to two meetings as guests. Currently the ITI has over 650 study clubs worldwide. Professor David Cochran, the recently elected ITI President was also present at the Congress which was a major blessing and esteemed honour for the organisers, the ITI Southern African Section and the attending delegates. This year’s ITI Congress Southern Africa key note speakers at the ITI Congress, who were chosen by the ITI Southern Africa Sections, were Dr Steven Eckert and Doctor Anthony Sclar. Both doctors hail from the USA and are highly regarded international speakers. Dr Eckert and Dr Sclar were given topics to speak on which included Current Knowledge, the Healthy Compromised Implant, Controversial Issues, Peri-implantitis Current Status, Treatment Planning and Emerging Technologies. As mentioned in the article, ITI Congress Southern Africa Poster and Case Presentation Competition Results on page 2, the Poster and Case Presentation competition was held and judged at the Congress. The posters submitted by the entrants were displayed in the exhibition hall where all other delegates could view them. The poster presentations were based on implant related cases and judged on criteria including background, treatment planning and sequence, conclusions, the poster’s layout and references. The case presentations were presented by each entrant to the judges and all delegates. The case presentation was on a fully documented implant related case and had to be presented in 15 minutes and no longer. It was judged on various criteria including how the case was presented, how the case was put together and presented in the slide presentation and the actual case study itself. Professor Cochran who also judged the presentations commented: “the level of the presentations was the highest quality we could have hoped for, was very evidence based which is what the ITI strives for.” Modern Dentistry Media SA organised the Congress on behalf of the ITI. For the trade exhibition a new stand approach was taken whereby all the exhibiter’s stands were the same. This idea, which has been used overseas, was well received by both delegates and exhibiters. Many of South Africa’s leading distributers and brands exhibited at the Congress with their stands inundated with delegates during the breaks and lunch periods. The exhibition was even host to 3 international companies. It can be said that this year’s ITI Congress Southern Africa was a successful event with ITI Congress Southern Africa 2013 Standing (left to right): Dr C Vorster, Dr S Eckert, Dr P van Zyl, Dr G Wyma and Dr P Wolfaardt. Seated (left to right): Dr A Sclar, Prof Cochran and Prof van Zyl. The exhibition hall. Dr Lira Rahman and her Winning Poster Presentation. Dr Anthony Sclar, key-note speaker.Dr Steven Eckert, key-note speaker. over 340 delegates registering and representing 15 countries. The organisation of the Congress was flawless and professional with the venue, Vodacom World, delivering a high standard of service. By Word of Mouth were the caterers and kept the delegates, speakers and exhibiters well fed with delicious snacks and lunches. The delegates were treated to a cocktail evening and to a wonderful saxophone performance by local performer Rike Coetzee. “I am very excited about the Congress, we have had an incredible two days.” said Professor Cochran who was highly impressed with the Congress: “I really felt like the whole Congress was well put together and really reflected at the highest level what the ITI represents. The feedback that we received from the participants was just incredible so I am very excited to be a part of it. I thought it was just absolutely first class in every way.” The next ITI Congress will be held in 2016 with venue and dates to be announced. For more information on the ITI please visit www.iti.org or www.iti.org/sites/southern_africa/Home.