Dental Tribune South African Edition

6 International News Dental Tribune South African Edition - October 2013 8th IFED 2015 World Congress, Munich, 18-21 September 2013 SAAAD Committee, from left to right, Dr Jean van Lierop, Dr Ivonne Meyer, Dr Mark Bowes and Dr Andy Effting. Dr Siegfried Marquardt Munich IFED 2013 Congress President hands over to Dr Mark Bowes the IFED 2015 Cape Town President. Standing (left to right): Zelda Coetzee and Dr Andy Effting. Seated (left to right): Dr Mark Bowes, Dr Jean van Lierop and Dr David Klaff (IFED treasurer). Dr Mark Bowes, SAAAD President I recently visited Munich for the 8th International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry (IFED) World Congress, held from the 18th - 21st of September 2013. What an incredible honor and privilege it was for me to represent South Africa. IFED at present has 29 members representing all Continents. The Congress was hosted by the German Academy for Esthetic Dentistry and carries on the tradition of the previous 7 meetings which have been held every 2 years since 1994. The conference has been held in the following cities; Florence, Kyoto, Washington, Venice, Seoul, Las Vegas and Rio de Janeiro. The theme of this year’s Congress was ‘Innovative Dentistry - Practice meets Science’ and all disciplines of dentistry were covered at the highest level. There were 60 International speakers from 15 different countries. I had the privilege of being the Session President for one of the most exciting sessions, during which Dr Mauro Fradeani and Dr Claudio Pinho discussed ‘State of the Art Direct and Indirect Restorations’. Delegates from over 50 different countries were treated to presentations (directed at dentists and technicians), hands on courses and poster and trade exhibitions of the highest quality. Munich, being so rich in culture and tradition, did not disappoint! On the social progamme, we were treated to three memorable evenings with the highlight being the gala dinner at the BMW Headquarters. At the handing over ceremony, in front of 650 guests, I accepted the responsibility of bringing the 9th World IFED Congress to Cape Town in 2015. There are many delegates who might feel the final social event; a night at the famous Oktoberfest was the highlight of the congress, although the next morning they might have had different thoughts! With Munich behind us, the focus is now on SAAAD and the 9th World meeting to be held in Cape Town from 5th - 7th November 2015. These are exciting times for Dentistry in South Africa. The thought of bringing many international speakers and delegates from all over the world is truly mouthwatering. The energy and commitment from our colleagues abroad is already building, and we need to keep the momentum going. Plans to make this, the 9th World Congress, the best ever are already well under way and I urge all you South African Dentists and Technicians to diarise the date and make a firm commitment not to miss one of South Africa’s most exciting Dental events ever. DT