Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 29
The 10th North East Regional Dental Conference under the theme “Precision and excellence for optimal health care” got underway here today at Capital Convention Centre. Gracing the inaugural function, Temjen Toy, additional chief secretary and finance commissioner urged upon the dentists to come forward and increase the volume of dental services to the people of the region.
Stating that so much progress has been made in the world of dentistry today, he said the region also need upgradation of the available facility. He was also optimistic that the people from other parts of the region would also come to the north eastern states for dental treatment. Toy was also hopeful that the platform of NE Coordination Committee of IDA State Branches will give a boost to dental practices in the region.
The additional chief secretary also released the souvenir.
Dr. B.R. Bhuyan, chairperson Coordination Committee of IDA State Branches North East Region said that there was not a single graduate dentist in the region till 1965. He said by 1969, though the region had three medical colleges, BDS course was not introduced in any of the institutions. “The region had to depend on the central governmental for reservation of a few BDS seats in the government dental colleges located at Lucknow, Bombay (Mumbai), Madras (Chennai, Calcutta (Kolkata) etc.” he said adding that a handful of young boys and girls of the region acquired BDS qualification under this system.
As the number of dental professionals increased, the region as well as Indian Dental Association encouraged formation of separate state branches and today the region has dental association branches, besides Assam, in Tripura Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Dr. N. Savino, chairman organizing committee said the objective of the conference is to update our knowledge with the latest scientific developments in the field of dentistry. He said on account of this conference, the IDA, Nagaland state branch has conducted free dental health camp across the state this year.
Dr. J. Barma, convenor, Coordination Committee of IDA State Branches North East Region stated that the IDA is committed to the nation to achieve optimal oral health for all by 2020 by improving the oral health related quality of life. Stating that the conference aim to keep update on the recent happenings of dentistry, he stressed on the need perform better to maintain oral health.
This is for the first time such a big national level dental conference was hosted by Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB). This conference also coincides with the 15th IDA Nagaland State Branch Conference.
Earlier, R. Ramakhrishnan, commissioner & secretary for health & family welfare Nagaland inaugurated the trade fair, which showcase the latest in advanced materials, equipment and technology. The conference covers various topics like excellence in pediatric dentistry, perfect endodontics, scientific session, guest lectures, oral and maxillofacial imaging, a parading shift on posterior restorations etc.
Dr. Reyosalii Lase Vizo compered that inaugural function while organizing Committee secretary Dr. Imtiwabang Pongener proposed vote of thanks. The Coordination Committee, of the IDA Branches of Northeast Region was founded in 2010. The Committee is constituted by the member representatives of IDA State Branch of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
The Conference will go on till November 30.
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