As a representative of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Dubai Health Authority, H.E. Humaid Al-Quitami, the Chairman and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, inaugurated the 7th World Implants Orthodontic Conference. The conference is organized by the Emirates Orthodontic Society, in cooperation with the Saudi Orthodontic Society and International Association for Orthodontics and supported by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

The conference, which is held with the participation of about 1000 specialists from 45 countries, was opened with the attendance of Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman, Assistant Undersecretary for health centers and clinics, Abdullah bin Souqat, the Executive Director of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences and a board member of the Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Khalid Al-Bader, the Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Society of Orthodontics, and Dr. Donald Ferguson, the representative of the International Association for orthodontic and Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Conference.

During the opening ceremony, H.E. Humaid Al Quitami received the honorary shield presented to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Health Authority, from the Saudi Society of Orthodontics, in recognition of H.H. efforts in developing healthcare sectors regionally and globally, particularly in supporting the continuing medical education as a main factor to improve the performance of professionals working in the healthcare sector.

Also, H.E. Humaid Al Quitami delivered the speech of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the patron of the conference, during which he said: “Today marks the first time in history where such an event is held in the Middle East region, and the UAE is proud to be the region's pioneer in hosting this monumental conference, which will discuss the most advanced techniques in orthodontics”.

“This represents yet another proof that the United Arab Emirates is the regional patron of innovation. The UAE, with all its agencies and institutions, is keen on encouraging and supporting sustainable development, especially in the health care sector. This trend necessitates that professionals are always updated on the latest advances in their specialties”.

“That is the vision of the UAE, established byHis Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and their brothers Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates”. 

“The Emirate of Dubai has achieved great success over the past few years in offering health care and surgical services in the dentistry field, which enjoys great interest. Dentistry has in fact been an important component of the medical tourism strategy adopted by Dubai Health Authority, which aims at enhancing health services to international standards, and activating investment in the health care sector”.

“Hence, we are keen to support all efforts that seek to develop this profession and offer training of specialists on the latest advances, utilizing the experience of the world's pioneers in each sector”, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid said.

“Your conference joins distinguished elite of prominent specialists in the world, and we are proud to see them share their experience and knowledge in this important event. I would like to thank the distinguished team at the Orthodontics division at the Emirates Medical Association, the Saudi Orthodontic Society, and the International Orthodontics Association, for their great efforts in organizing and managing this event”.

“Our thanks also go to Hamdan Medical Award, and all members of the scientific and organizing committees of the conference, and everybody who played a role in the success of this event. Wishing all success and prosperity, aided by the blessings of ALLAH”, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid added.

Also, Dr, Moza Tahwara, the president of the conference, chairman of the Emirates Orthodontic Society, and UAE representative in the International Association for Orthodontics delivered a speech in which she said: “We at the Orthodontics division at the Emirates Medical Association believe in collaborative work and experience exchange via regional and international conferences that host colleagues from around the world. This is why it warmed our hearts to take part in organizing this conference, which was the brainchild of Dr. Samar Hayek, who worked hard to see this conference held in the GCC region, being the Saudi representative at the International Dental Implant Association. . The latter is an international organization recently established to focus on difficult orthodontic cases and orthodontic surgery involving implants”.

“The organization quickly lived up to this mandate, launching its first international conference in Seoul, South Korea, in 2009, which represented a significant choice, as Seoul was the cradle of this orthodontic technique”. 

“This technique attracted orthodontists from around the world, who quickly adopted the choice of using temporary platinum implants in specific places in the upper and lower jaws”. 

“Scientific research has demonstrated the feasibility of this technique in reducing the duration of orthodontic treatment of from years to a few months in difficult cases, surgical procedures, and of loss of teeth due to trauma or early tooth extraction”.

“Our conference is honored to welcome 40 of the global pioneers of this technique as speakers. They will present us with 6 workshops and 30 lectures, in which they will share their experience, research, conclusions, and invaluable recommendations. We are confident this conference will bring great value to the UAE orthodontists society, and help the sector's professionals get the latest updates in the field”, she added.

“With the blessings of ALLAH, the 7th conference has witnessed overwhelming interest, with registration requests exceeding past conferences and our expectations”.

“Officials in the UAE have always been keen on offering the best health care to the people. Their efforts in this domain are not restricted to establishing hospitals, and equipping them with the latest technologies, but involve building qualifications and competencies via attracting global conferences and leading specialists from around the world”.

“The gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, President of Dubai Health Authority, and patron of the Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences, to this conference is a clear indication of this great interest the UAE government is putting into the medical and health sciences sector”. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to pass my most sincere thanks to His Highness for his patronage. I would also like to thank His Highness' team for tirelessly working on translating his directives into actions that build a better future for the health sector in the UAE”.

“I would also like to thank our distinguished speakers, who traveled long ways to be with us, and share their experience and research”. 

“Please also allow me to extend my thanks and gratitude for the generous efforts made by the Organizing Committee of this conference, especially Dr. Amna Al-Shamsi, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Orthodontic Society; Dr. Donald Ferguson, Head of the Scientific Committee and representative of the International Dental Implant Association; Dr. Khalid Albadr, Chairman of the Saudi Orthodontic Society; Dr. Suleiman Omran, Deputy Secretary General of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties; and of course Dr. Samar Hayek”, Dr. Moza Tahwara added. 

Concluding the opening ceremony, a short film was screened about the history of the conference, since 2009 when it was launched in South Korea and then held in many countries around the world including Taiwan, Italy, Australia, Thailand and the United States of America. Then, H.E. Humaid Al Quitami, the Chairman and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, opened the accompanying exhibition held with the participation of 6 companies in that field of medicine.