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Additional chief secretary Temjen Toy (4rd from left) and others dignitaries during the release of the conference souvenir in Kohima on November 29. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, Nov. 29 (EMN): A two-day 10th North East Regional Dental Conference cum 15th Indian Dental Association (IDA) Nagaland State Branch Conference on the theme ‘Precision and excellence for optimal health care’ got underway on November 29 at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima.
Gracing the inaugural programme as the chief guest, Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner, Temjen Toy stressed on the need for the dentists to upgrade themselves with the latest technology and equipments to deliver optimal oral health care in the region.
Noting that much progress has come about over the years in the world of dentistry, Toy maintained that such facilities should be brought in the region, which requires lot of upgradation and expansion of services.
Asserting on the need to improve dental services in the region, he was optimistic that with the conference, each delegate would go back with up scaling dental service to the people of the region. Toy was also hopeful that northeast would soon become the hub capital for dental services.
Giving a brief history on the history of IDA founded in the year 1946, Dr. BR Bhuyan, chairperson Coordination Committee of IDA State Branches North east Region, India, recalled that there was not a single graduate dentist from the region till 1965. However, he expressed happiness that the number of dental professionals has increased which is now operational in 29 states braches, one defence branch and over 400 local branches spread across the country. In the north east, IDA has its branches in Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. J Barma, convener coordination committee of IDA state branches North-East Region, India, described dentistry at its ‘Golden era’ where the continuous developments in the field of dental research and resultant advancements in material science and cutting edge technology have brought paradigm shift in treatment modalities and have changed the ‘state of the art’ of the dental practice to make it more convenient, painless and effective that was never seen before.
He also pointed that the dental manpower, though still is concentrated mainly in city areas have been increased to fulfil the dentist population ratio as recommended by WHO.
While noting that the challenges of the dental practitioners have increased, Dr. Barma emphasised that dental professionals should keep abreast with the recent happening in dentistry to provide optimal oral health care to the people.
During the day, a trade fair was inaugurated by R Ramakhrishnan, Commissioner-Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, and also conducted pre-conference courses on various topics.
The second day would have scientific session and guest lectures on various topics divided into five sessions to be followed by paper presentation, North East Coordination Committee and closed door session and election of office bearers (Nagaland State Branch).