The 56th Exhibition and Congress of Iranian Dental Association (EXCIDA 56) saw thousands of local and foreign attendees, including 300 guests from 18 countries at the four-day event (May 17-20) in Tehran.
EXCIDA is the leading dental event of its kind organized annually in Iran, as well as the Middle East and Central Asia.
This year it was held in tandem with the First World Dental Federation (FDI) Regional Congress and 34th ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantologists) World Congress.
In an exclusive interview with the Financial Tribune, cosmetic dentist and laser dentistry specialist Dr. Alireza Majdabadi talked about why the congress was a major event, and it effects on Iran’s dental industry.
“This year’s round is particularly significant for Iran’s dentistry, and as a major global event for two reasons. Firstly, it was the first international congress of FDI in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and that is an important step towards interaction with the world,” he said.
Secondly, a large number of foreign firms participated with the lifting in January of international sanctions, and “we saw more representatives from major brands in the industry.”
With Babak Shayanfar as partner, the duo runs the local branch of Dental Tribune, an independent tabloid based in Leipzig in Germany since 2002, and the largest global dental newspaper.
Through the publication, the event was promoted across the Middle East and on the international scene, inviting dentists and dental specialists from across the world to partake in the most prestigious event in the industry. The reception was far beyond expectations.
“As stated by Dr. Gholamreza Ghaznavi, president of Iranian Dental Association (IDA) an unprecedented number (9,000) of visitors attended the exhibition,” Shayanfar said.
According to Majdabadi, industry heavyweights that attended included major European brands such as the German Sirona Dental Systems Inc. (a subsidiary of Siemens), Schlumbohm, Dentaurum, Dürr Dental, Medentika Implant; Busch, French Dental Hi Tec and ITENA; Greek DMP Dental Industry; Swiss Intensiv SA and FKG Dentaire, GC Europe, as well as the American Hu-Friedy and Brazilian Angelus.
Firms from Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Austria, South Korea, China, and Turkey were also represented.
An important outcome was introducing Iran’s potential for investments in the industry, Majdabadi pointed out.
Iran is an up-and-coming and growing market, and an attractive prospect for investors.
“Given the large community of dentists in the region, and Iran’s stellar record in safety and security, ECXIDA 56 provided the perfect opportunity to help ensure investors of a bright future.”
Domestic and foreign firms were seen in talks on the sidelines of the event. By the end of the exhibition contracts “worth millions of dollars were signed”, Majdabadi said without providing details.
Merging the FDI’s Regional Congress with the 56th round of EXCIDA is thanks to the efforts by Dr. Ali Tajernia, head of this year’s conclave, and Dr. Kaveh Seyedan, FDI National Liaison Officer and the seminar’s scientific chair.
A new “cultural touch” was also added to highlight Iranian cultural heritage in various forms including traditional performances, and ethnic food products, which attracted attention from the visitors.
Poised for Progress
Iran is determined to advance its current standing in the field of dentistry. It has bright prospects, Majdabadi said, pointing to the “high ambitions” of the new board of directors of the IDA, the chief supervisory body of all dental activities across the country, and functions under the purview of the Health Ministry.
“The association aims to give Iran’s dental industry the momentum it needs. We are up-to-date in the science of dentistry, but lag in terms of equipment and devices.”
Given the favorable atmosphere for international cooperation in the post-sanctions era, “I am fairly certain that once issues relating to technology are addressed, dental health tourism will become a new source of revenue,” Majdabadi noted.
Another major step in the national dental industry was the establishment of the Oral Health Council at the Health Ministry in the current Iranian year that began in March, Shayanfar said.
Previously, the field of dentistry had no authoritative representation at the ministry, but after Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi took charge in 2013, a department was set up for that purpose.
Opening the local branch of the Dental Tribune was a positive development as prior to that there was no specialized dental publication in the country,” Majdabadi said. “A Farsi language website will also be launched at the Dental Tribune International (DTI) online portal soon.”
The publication is read by an estimated 650,000 dentists in 90 countries and is published in 24 languages under the auspices of the DTI, an institution that has changed the way dental professionals around the globe access the latest news in their field.
An official media partner of the FDI and regional dental organizations, it is the first publication that reports globally on Iran’s activities in the field. It also publishes articles from dental students and specialists.
