DHNAD holds 57TH Annual Convention of dentists

After two years of interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health National Association of Dentists (DHNAD) held the 57th Annual Convention of Dentists on April 20 to April 22, 2022 at Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort in Cavite. The three-day convention and seminars with the theme “Public Health Dentistry: Achieving Optimal Oral Health Among Children through Education, Disease Prevention and Dental Health Promotion” was attended by more than 200 delegates in the profession of Dental Public Health from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

 

A thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Roberto C. Capino, parish priest of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary opened the event which was subsequently called to order by Dr. Wilson Allas, DHNAD President 2021-2022.

The afternoon session was allotted to talks delivered by Dr. Vicente O. Medina III on the topic “Oral health and General Health Link”, and Dr. Fenella Isabel Gonzales Piedad on “Black and White: Heal before you Seal”. The speakers reiterated that prevention is better than cure.

After the talk, 20 dentists joined the city tours and visited the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit.

A grand opening ceremony was held in the evening graced by Dr. Maria Francia Miciano Laxamana, Assistant Secretary of Health giving inspirational message to the dentists as well as Dr. Mary Ann B. Battad, Past President of DHNAD 2019-2020.

The second day of the convention was a full-day seminar with different topics and speakers including: Anchorage Planning Control by Dr. Brian Esporlas; TMD Simplified Manual Function Analysis by Dr. Shiela Ortega Cobcobo; Silver Diamine Fluoride: The New but Old Way by Dr. Edbert P. Solano; Current Trends and Practical Insights on Diabetes Mellitus by Dr. Nemencio A. Nicodemus Jr.; Sweet Smile: The Connection between Diabetes and Periodontitis by Dr. Marie Rossini Carmela T. Lachica; and lastly, Moving Forward: The Future of Dental Public Health Practice after the Pandemic by Dr. Mark Anthony C. Hilario.

The president’s night was held afterwards wherein the programs and projects of the past DHNAD presidents were presented and acknowledged.

On the third day of the convention, Dr. Alvin M. Laxamana discussed the primary preventive strategies that can be used in the dentistry profession.

 

Highlight of the day’s activities was the induction ceremony for the new set of DHNAD officers. Guest of Honor, Dr. Cheryl Yalung del Rosario, President Elect PDA 2022-2023 gave an inspirational message to the delegates. Dr. Jose Angelo G. Militante, PDA President 2021-2022 led the induction and inauguration of the incoming DHNAD President Dr. Harold Philip H. Dechaves together with the new elected officers.

The annual convention served its purpose to advance the dentistry practice in the country by fostering collaboration among the pillars of dentistry, knowledge sharing and strengthening the organization.

Major sponsors of the 57th Annual Convention of Dentists were Colgate-Palmolive Phils Inc. and Ordent Trading Corporations.