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Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | February 2015 The Scientific Conference 21EVENTS 3rd Qatar Dental International Conference 11 – 12 December 2014, Doha, Qatar By Dental Tribune MEA D OHA, Qatar: Dental Tribune MEA visited the 3rd Qatar Dental In- ternational Conference on 11 – 12 December 2014. We find out more from the President of Qatar Dental Association – Dr. Mohammed Al-Darwish on the developments in Qatar. Dental Tribune MEA: How do you reflect back the time since Qatar Dental Society was es- tablished in 2007? Dr. Mohammed Sultan Al-Dar- wish: Before 2008, we dreamed to have an organization covering all dentists in Qatar under one umbrella. We dreamed to have a dental conference in the coun- try. We dreamed to have a dental society similar to our neighbor- ing countries. Then, a group of 20 dentists held a small meeting and after a 3 hours discussion on all of the challenges, the de- cision was to establish a dental society in the country. Now, after 6 years we reach some of the tar- gets we had set ourselves. As President of the Qatar Den- tal Society, how have you seen dentistry develop in Qatar during your current term as leader of the QDS? When I started my term as the first president of Qatar Dental Society, the number of dentists in Qatar were 637. Now in 2014 we reached 1228 dentists. We organized the first, second and third Qatar International Dental Conference. Also, more than 12 small dental symposiums, work- shops and seminars have been organized. In2009youorganizedthe First Qatar International Confer- ence, in 2011 you organized the second. How important is it for the Qatar Dental Soci- ety to have your annual con- ference? What has improved since last conferences? on December 13 - 14, 2009, we organized the 1st Qatar Dental International Conference. It was part of Qatar Health Medical Conference with 13 lectures and small exhibition area (8 booths). On 12 - 13 April, 2012, we organ- ized the second Qatar Dental International Conference & the 8th Gulf Dental Association con- ference. The scientific program of that conference had 19 lec- tures and 2 workshops. The ex- hibition area consisted of about 19 booths. On 11 - 12 December, 2014, we organized the 3rd Qa- tar Dental International Confer- ence. The conference has grown over the years and the scientific program included 26 lectures with 8 workshops. The exhibi- tion area consisted 29 booths. More than 12 Deans of dental schools attended this confer- ence. As I mentioned during the opening ceremony of this con- ference, the supreme council of health in Qatar decided that a dentist must have 40 CME each year to renew the license and 15 CME out of 40 must be lo- cal. At this point we are looking forward to make the conference annually. Are there plans for a Dental University to open up in Qatar any time soon? Yes, there is a plan to open a dental school in Qatar, and now we are in the preparatory stages of making this happen. Are the number of dentists in Qatar increasing? There are a small number of Dental Tech- nicians, how do you go about increasing these numbers? Yes, the number of dentists in the country are increasing as I mentioned before. As you know we have North Atlantic College – Qatar, and in this college we have a dental assistance pro- gram and this year we started a dental hygienist program. Re- garding the dental technicians, we have plans to coordinate with other dental institutes to re- cruit dental technicians in Qatar. How can dentists in Qatar stay up to date with the latest in dentistry? By organizing the conferences, seminars, workshops and sym- posiums we keep our dentists updated with the new dental technology. Also, all government sectors, such as Hamad Medi- cal Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, Aspetar, Qa- tar Petroleum, Dental Services in the Army and others always send the dentists to international conferences and workshops that are organized in other countries. Has Digital Dentistry had a strong influence in Qatar? Yes, Digital Dentistry has a strong influence in Qatar. Ma- jority of dental clinics in Qatar have started to use CAD/CAM and dental laser in their clinics. What advice do you have for the young generation of den- tists in Qatar? Work hard, continue your study with an advanced program and master degree, involve yourself in dental researches and do not forget to attend dental confer- ences and workshops to keep yourself updated with the new dental technology. Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers? Qatar Dental Society would like to thank Dental Tribune MEA/ CAPP for participating in the 3rd Qatar Dental International Con- ference. Dr. Mohammed Sultan Al-Darwish President, Qatar Dental Society. Vice Chair, Oral Health Group, World Federation of Public Health Associations. General Secretary, Qatar Medical Association. bosultan73@hotmail.com Contact Information Regional Dental Associations, Societies and Universities attending the Event Dr. Mohammed Sultan Al-Darwish distributing the trophies