27 January

An opening ceremony of the 39th Myanmar Dental Conference, organized by the Myanmar Dental Association (MDA), was held at the Lotte Hotel, Yangon, yesterday morning. In addressing the opening ceremony, Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe said the Myanmar Dental Association’s holding its 39th conference reflects the unity of the association and the association’s will to ensure the further development of dental and oral medical practices in Myanmar. The ministry, Myanmar Dental Association, Myanmar Dental Council and related associations, entities and departments will continue to cooperate and work together for the ongoing development and progress in the two main sectors of dental and oral health, consisting of treatment and public health, and especially in cooperation with the Myanmar Medical Association.

Dental and oral medical and treatment are developing rapidly in developed countries, and Myanmar needs to expand its own efforts. Public health works related to dental and oral medical must be increased to reduce dental and oral medical problems that occur in Myanmar. Projects are being carried out for dentists and health personnel to use modern communication and information technologies to participate in continuous study and learning. The benefits of the conference will assist a new generation of dental and oral doctors in learning from the knowledge and experiences of veteran dental and oral experts, acquire information on latest treatment methodologies and to expand their networks. Local and international experts are urged to provide suggestions on the development of Myanmar dental and oral medicine at this conference, said the Union Minister. All are urged to continue their work, as per the theme of the conference, in expanding volunteer work and raising professional standards. The ministry is conducting school health projects as a priority, and dental and oral experts are urged to participate and cooperate in dental and oral health care in school health projects. Through these programmes, some 9.5 million students will see improved dental and oral health.

The Myanmar Dental Association President, Professor Dr. Thein Kyu, and MDA Executive Committee member Dr. Khin Hnin Aye delivered messages of greetings, followed by a speech of appreciation by China Stomatological Association Chairman Professor Guangyan Yu.

Afterwards, Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe, Deputy Minister Dr. Mya Lay Sein, Region Hluttaw Deputy Speaker, permanent secretaries, Department of Public Health, and the Medical Services acting Director General and MDA President cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the conference exhibition and inspect the booths. The 39th Myanmar Dental Conference will be held through 26 January and is being attended by national level dental, oral and health organisations’ medical experts from Myanmar, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Philippines, Australia and Hong Kong.—MNA