"85% of children in the GCC region suffer from dental caries"

Dubai – United Arab Emirates, 9th of February, 2017: AEEDC Dubai 2017 concluded after three days of business, scientific, and educational activities held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and attracted 48,000 visitors and participants from 130 countries.

At the conclusion of the 21st edition of AEEDC Dubai, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition and the Global Scientific Dental Alliance said: “Today, AEEDC Dubai is considered the ultimate destination for leading international dental companies, universities and colleges in the world. They participate in AEEDC Dubai to benefit from the latest scientific discoveries in the dental field in particular. Each year, we work hard to develop the scientific agenda by offering more research papers, case studies, sessions, courses, and hands-on workshops, to advance the dental practice globally. In addition, AEEDC Dubai Conference and Exhibition attracts numerous physicians, specialists and professionals in the field from all over the world, because of its prestigious reputation and world-class organization. AEEDC Dubai is not only a scientific and trade platform, but also one of the main driving forces of the medical, tourism and investment sectors in the UAE."

Dr. Al Madani also praised the great attention of the leadership and the government of the UAE for this event, by saying: "AEEDC Dubai receives great attention and support by UAE organizations and government entities and other governments of the world. I commend and reaffirm what His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority announced during his inauguration of AEEDC Dubai 2017 Conference and Exhibition. His Highness pointed out that the healthcare system is an important pillar for measuring the development and rise of nations. From our side, we work hard to focus on this vital and important sector and to contribute to its development."

In conclusion, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani announced that the business deals sealed during this year has increased by 10% compared to the previous year, and he has announced that the business deals sealed during the 3 days of AEEDC Dubai has recorded 3 billion and 30 million dollars. He has also added: “We are very happy with the great improvement AEEDC Dubai is witnessing yearly, as the value of business deals has increased by 10% compared to last year which is expected for an exhibition like AEEDC Dubai, that attracts a huge number of specialists and leading companies yearly.”

The last day of AEEDC Dubai conference has witnessed also the GCC Preventive Dentistry Press Conference that was presided by 11 heads of dental societies and representatives from the GCC Health Ministries who gathered to discuss the prevention programs and updates of dental diseases in all GCC countries. The conference aims to increase awareness about oral disease in the region and highlighted the epidemic of dental caries among the GCC countries.

The meeting also discussed the results of the first GCC oral health survey. This survey was conducted between 2014 and 2016 and examined over 6,000 children in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain. It is estimated that over 85% of children in the GCC region suffer from dental caries. The disease is particularly severe in children and since dental caries is irreversible, they carry the burden of the disease throughout their lives. Preventive dentistry helps to reduce the overall burden of dental caries and the goal of this conference is to promote preventive dentistry among dental practitioners in the region.

On another note, dentists and professionals participating at AEEDC Dubai conference have warned against visiting cosmetic dentistry clinics operated by unqualified dental staff and technicians.

Dentists were quoted saying, "Sadly, some clinics and healthcare centers provide aesthetic and cosmetic treatments and procedures with very worryingly-cheap prices, during which they actually harm and damage the teeth. Afterwards, this damage takes long months of treatment at dental clinics to reverse, or to be compensated with new materials."

AEEDC Dubai conference has also featured modern techniques in cosmetic dentistry, including ceramic dental veneers with much less thickness than the ones currently used. The conference has also highlighted new techniques for teeth scanning, meant to help doctors conduct a full portrayal of infected teeth. This scanning in turn helps to a great degree in accurately identifying the infected areas and then treating them in less time, with less effort and high accuracy.

The conference also introduced for the first time in the Middle East new innovative endodontic files, known for its elasticity, to clean the tooth pulp in less time. It is considered one of the technologies that contribute to reducing the duration of dental operations. The conference also called for the need of applying early screening of the teeth and gums, to help in the early detection of any cancerous tumors of the mouth.

On the other hand, AEEDC Dubai exhibition was spread over more than 74,400 square meters of space with leading local and international companies and industry leaders showcasing medical and dental equipment and innovations. AEEDC Dubai 2017 Exhibition featured also 16 national pavilions primarily from Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America

A ceremony was held in conclusion of AEEDC Dubai for the distribution of the following awards: AEEDC Young Researcher Award went to Dr. Hani Mawardi, AEEDC Best Speaker Award to Dr. Michael Dieter, AEEDC Best Clinical Photo Award went to Anneli Aleksius, AEEDC Excellence in Clinical Product Award went to Dentsply Sirona X-SMART TM, Best AEEDC Dubai Booth Design Award for KavoKerr, Best AEEDC Dubai Booth Activities Award for P & G – Oral B, and AEEDC Dubai Best Booth Technology Award went to COLGATE.

AEEDC Dubai is organized yearly by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions a member of INDEX Holding, and it is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority.

© Press Release 2017