Preparations for PDA annual confab in full swing

MANILA, Philippines - Participants in the 105th annual convention of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) on May 10-15 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City can look forward to an enriching and fruitful experience, as organizers have been mobilizing their resources and coordinating with stakeholders to ensure that the nitty-gritty of the preparations are spelled out.

Dr. Corazon Flores, PDA president-elect and head of the Organizing/Executive Committee, said preparations are in full swing in all aspects of the convention with the theme “Dentistry at its Best” — from the scientific sessions to the trade exhibits.

The heart of the convention — the scientific sessions whose committee is chaired by Dean Arturo de Leon and hosted by 23 general and specialty affiliates of the PDA — will feature a variety of topics to keep delegates abreast with dental breakthroughs.

Each affiliate group will be given slots for speakers. Dr. Rafael Castillo, former president of the Philippine Heart Association and a renowned cardiologist based at the Manila Doctors Hospital, will discuss the systemic heart disease brought about by dental caries.

The foreign speakers will delve on prosthodontics, aesthetics and orthodontics.

A diabetologist is also among the local speakers. A segment on Complementary and Alternative Medicine will be conducted by Dr. Ronnie Royo of the Natural Health Foundation.

Aside from dental practitioners coming from the different parts of the country, the convention will also be attended by delegates from dental schools, including their deans and students.

One of the convention’s sidelights is a daily health screening program (May 11-14) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. which will offer a wide array of medical services to all registered dentists.

The trade exhibits, a permanent fixture in PDA annual’s conventions showcasing the latest dental equipment and products, will be participated in by local and international traders.

Flores said the first 500 delegates attending the scientific sessions will be served with free breakfast. Pre-registered delegates will be given free scrub suits, and convention bags will be stuffed with more freebees.

Flores, the first PDA president coming from the Laguna Dental Chapter, is assisted in the Organizing Committee by Drs. Armyl Banez, overall deputy chairman; Leticia Santos, deputy chair for PDA affairs; Maria Cielo Cajiuat, executive secretary; Leobeny Portugal, assistant secretary (internal); Elsa de Mesa Olea, assistant secretary (external); Cecilia Alcaraz; Josefina Panergo, auditor; Neth Ricasa, external auditor; Rene Sison, Primo Gonzales, Diampo Lim, and Hermogenes Villareal.

The Organizing Committee has issued the following on-site registration rates: P3,800; PDA life member, P1,400; local students (undergraduate), P1,000; foreign students (undergraduate), P1,200; dental technologists and dental hygienists, P2,800, and accompanying persons, P1,000; and foreign delegates, $300.

For registration inquiries and other info, contact the following: PDA headquarters at 897-8091 or 890-4609 loc. 14 or fax at 899-6332; Annie Caampued at 0922-8841391; Olive Gigante at 0922-8841392; or Dr. Elizabeth Carrasco, Registration Committee chair, at 0917-7030673.