Dentists to brush up on latest technology

MANILA, Philippines - Local dentists will brush up on the latest dental technologies when the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD), the only government-owned dental school in the country, holds a scientific session on Feb. 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, ushering in a weeklong celebration of its 97th anniversary.

According to event organizers, the UPCD led by Dean Vicente Medina III, the UP Dental Alumni Association led by its president, Dr. Arnon Rivera, and its incoming president, Dr. Armin Segarra, and Batch 1987 represented by Drs. Marivic Reyes, Jake Laureta and Noel Vallesteros, the celebration, with its theme “Patuloy na tumutugon sa tawag ng pahanon,” will also be highlighted by a Research Methodology and Research Design Workshop on Feb. 8 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), open only to faculty members and graduate students of all dental schools and is limited to 30 participants, to be conducted at the UP College of Dentistry on Pedro Gil, Manila.

There will also be a grand gathering of UPCD alumni, faculty members, staff and students, to be graced by Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto as guest of honor and keynote speaker, on Feb. 10, 3-10 p.m. at the UP Balay ng Alumni in Diliman, Quezon City.

A scientific symposium, dubbed “Mastering Soft and Hard Tissue Management: A Patient Centered Approach for Maximum Gains,” is open to all licensed dentists and will feature world-renowned speakers Professors Fridus van der Weijden from Amsterdam, Holland and Ian Meyers from Australia as well as Dr. Regina Santos-Morales from the Philippines.

Van der Weijden will tackle periodontal risk assessment in practice, identifying patients in need of periodontal treatment, criteria for assessing and evaluating treatment decisions, clinical tips on recommending the most appropriate home care products and how to use oral hygiene products including power toothbrushes safely and effectively.

He is a periodontist, implant-specialist and professor at the University of Amsterdam whose focus is on the prevention and therapy of periodontal infections. 

He has published over 200 papers and systematic reviews, authored a book entitled “The Power of Ultrasonics.” He is an international lecturer on all aspects of prevention and periodontal therapies. He is also the co-author and co-editor of the book “Preventive Dentistry.”

Meyers will demonstrate modern clinical techniques and products available to assess and manage the patients’ dental tissue disease risks, practical examples of new approaches to minimal intervention dentistry in addition to management of tooth wear, and the changing patterns of diet and lifestyle that are impacting on preserving a healthy smile for life.

He has honorary professorial positions at the University of Queensland School of Dentistry and James Cook University. He is the chairman of the Australian Dental Research Foundation and a member of the editorial board of the Australian Dental Journal and several other international journals. 

Meyers is also an examiner for the Australian Dental Council and a member and past chairman of the ADA Dental Instruments, Materials and Equipment Committee.

Morales, one of the most sought-after speakers and periodontists in the country, will tackle implant maintenance. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines and had her post-graduate training in Periodontics from the University of Pennsylvania.

For inquiries on the Feb. 6 symposium and the Feb. 8 research workshop, contact Dr. Armin Segarra at 0917-5305-861 or 0922-8827646. For the grand gathering on Feb. 10, contact Dr. Christy Laureta at 0918-9398011 or Dr. Arnon Rivera at 0917-8919175.