Hearty Welcome and Warm Greetings
We are the youngest dental specialty which was initiated by Dr. Mohandas Bhat about 50 years back at Government Dental College, Bangalore, India. We have witnessed pioneers, namely Dr. M. R. Shankar Aradhya, Dr. R. K. Bali, Dr. S. S. Hiremath, and many more who laid firm foundation to our specialty and also found Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry. We remember the support and guidance of President and Secretary of dental council of India (DCI) from time to time. Our specialty assumed various nomenclatures: Preventive and Social Dentistry-Community Dentistry-Public Health Dentistry, and now Public Health and Preventive Dentistry. Our association has grown in leap and bounds with more than 3000 life members spread globally as academicians, programmers, policy-makers, and much more.
Postgraduate students should take the opportunity to learn competencies. Knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors contribute to individual and organizational performance. One will be known with these competencies in the practice of public health Dentistry. The scope is vast as long as emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, develop inter-personal collaboration, assume leadership, and learn advocacy skills with professional approach with an attitude to be a life-long learner. There is a lot to be achieved!
14th National PG Convention was held successfully on February 10–11, 2023, at holy city of Varanasi under the auspices of Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS, Banaras Hindu University an Internationally reputed temple of learning. Postgraduate conventions are distinctive in its design that provide unique feature during PG curriculum. The guest lectures are based on the current curriculum with considerations for future. Besides, PG students find opportunity to showcase their talent by presenting papers and posters and other skills. The theme of the PG Convention was “Placing Oral Health in People’s hands: Building Self Reliant India.” Based on the theme, Organizing Committee engraved intellectual variety with eminent orators across the country who shared their experience and expertise with all of us. The topics enriched clinical skills in knowing Photo-bio-modulation, public health skills in knowing funding opportunities for research students and capacity building of health professionals, research skills in knowing statistical significance versus clinical significance and bibliometrics, and reference management tools and most remarkably life skills for health-care professionals.
Organizing Committee had left no stone unturned to make this PG convention memorable. The Organizing Committee with their dedicated team of members displayed amazing synchronization for the past 6 months developing a liaison with the Head office, IAPHD Members, Principal and faculty members of Faculty of Dental Sciences, and all the reputed personalities of Banaras Hindu University, Guest Speakers, Sponsors, and many more. Hearty admiration to the Organizing Committee for bringing together more than 300 delegates and special invitees from all over India in arranging scientific deliberations and good hospitality.
Thanks to Hon Secretary, Office bearers, and EC members for their continued support and co-operation.
Best wishes to all the IAPHD members and looking forward for eventful year ahead.
