Dubai hosts for the 4th time the CAD/CAM & Computerized Dentistry International Conference organized by Emirates Dental Association and Centre for Advanced Professional Practices (CAPP).

The annual conference was a great success and achieved record attendance further establishing our reputation as the industry's leading CAD/CAM scientific Conference.

Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri M.Sc, Ph.D. CEO Medical Practice and Licence, Chairman of SupremeNational Blood Transfusion Committee and Dr. Afaf Sayed Ja'afar Acting Director of CME department opened the conference and expressed his great pleasure to announce that CAD/CAM & Computerized Dentistry International Conference supports the developing of new technologies in dentistry and he appreciates the excellent opportunity which this conference contribute to the Continuing Medical Education in the region.

Dr. Munir J.Silwadi, Conference Chairman and Scientific Program Advisor hosted the 12 industry leading speakers. The conference schedule included twelve different sessions with a variety of topics being discussed.

The morning of day one started with a lively session presented by Dr Andreas Kurbad from Germany who presented Computer Aided Esthetics, followed by Prof. Georges Tehini, Lebanon who discussed the interesting topic of Zirconia and CAD/CAM; When and how. Dr. Peter Uwe, Germany followed with 'Tooth or implant supported Zirconia Restorations'.

Dr. Nadim presented 'The Tooth Preparation for CADCAM Technology', then Raffi Khanjian discussed from post and core to the final restoration made from Zirconia.

Dr. Dina Debaybo chaired the Friday meeting. The sessions were very well attended. Dr. Philippe Tardieu present 'Proper Cementations to Proper Objectives'. Dr. Ilan Preiss, UK hosted the interesting topic of Digital Impressions Are We There Yet?

Afternoon sessions presented another variety of topics being presented by Dr. Atef Shaker - Understanding Machinable Ceramics, Dr. Benoit Phillippe, Dr. Khaled Abouseada, Computerized Orthodontics and Dr. Dusko Gedosev session being Successful Implantology In the Computer Aided Practice.

The guests from Moscow and Belgrade Universities attended to the Poster presentations presenting CAD/CAM opportunities in different treatments.

BREAKFAST MEETING

The top leader manufacturers generously sponsored the conference to contribute for the developing of this advanced technologies. The product display place taking place during the Conference days was designed to showcase the sponsor's CAD/CAM machines, technologies, materials and techniques.

The companies experience an all-time-high interest from the participants in the conference. Every morning "BREAKFAST WITH THE SPONSORS" was an excellent networking for all attendance before the very busy scientific program. This exclusive access gave a chance to the sponsors to shares experiences with colleagues, made new contacts and strengthened existing relationships.

We were pleased at the response from the guest who showed great appreciation that this had been arranged.

The 3rd CAD/CAM & Computerized Dentistry International Conference, 2008 proved for the third time that this is an assembly for excellent network. Place where dental professionals - dentists, dental technicians, dental assistants and dental industry can work together, exchange knowledge and ideas and update with the newest technology in dentistry.

The conference now is the largest annual international event focusing entirely on Computerized Dentistry. Each year CAD/CAM & Computerized Dentistry International Conference gets bigger, and includes participation from more countries. This year the conference attracted more than 450 participants and visitors from 21 countries, 250 % of whom were conference first-timers.

Dr. Ali Bin Shakar, Director General of Ministry of Health and Dr. Ali Al Numairy, the Head of Emirates Medical Association, greeted the delegates and saluted for their desire for new knowledge in the era of computerized technology. Dr. Aisha Sultan Al Suwaidi, head of Dental Society in Emirates Medical Association and the President of the conference, welcomed the colleagues and motivated to keep their knowledge continuously updated and improve their skills to insure that they are providing the best care for their patient. Dr. Munir Silwadi, DUSS Conference Chairman and Scientific Program Advisor said: "In its third year, our International CAD/CAM & Computerized Dentistry Conference is setting the standard for highly specialized conferences of our dental profession. With the outstanding success we enjoyed in the previous years our conference is emerging to be the biggest CAD/CAM specialized event in the whole of the Middle East and probably beyond."

The plenary presentations with internationally-renowned speakers from Germany, South Africa, France, Lichtenstein, Lebanon, and UAE focused on the topics in CAD/CAM in Aesthetic and Prosthetic Dentistry; Computerized Implantology; Computerized Scanning and Imaging; CAD/CAM Dental Laboratories; CAD/CAM Materials; Computerized Management and Planning and Computerized Orthodontics.

Each the organizers try to put together a program that is attractive both to those new to the field, and those who have wide experience in the area. Discussion time stimulated debates and wide participation from the audience.

Participants were happy to acquire the latest knowledge and techniques in computerized dentistry and general dentistry which are very crucial in the rapid growing dynamic field of dentistry."

"The topics were very informative and the lecturers were able to present it in a very nice approach." (Participant)

Workshops with Ivoclar Vivadent and Nobel Biocare were packed full and covered current topics and trends in the areas. "The workshop was very well executed. It gave us more knowledge to do better quality crowns and bridges." (Participant)

The scientific program of the conference was accredited, monitored and evaluated by HA-AD.

SIRONA, the Gold sponsor of the conference surprised the delegates with Live-demonstration in the special designed area.

"Meet the sponsors" time give the opportunities to the delegates to network with the industry, to see the latest technologies and equipments. Many tanks to the sponsors - Sirona, KaVo, Nobel Biocare, 3M ESPE, Ivoclar Vivadent, VITA, Wieland, PMS, MPC for the continues support and to help us this event happen and make so popular.

The organizers of the conference met a very exciting opportunity to organize such event, which has built extremely important bridges in our dental team - dental professionals and dental industry. In spite of the growing size, they tried hard to maintain the family atmosphere at each conference and to keep the "Teamwork for excellent dentistry".