The bustling campus of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) in Jamshoro became the epicenter of dental discourse in Pakistan as it inaugurated the two-day 6th International Dental Conference on Saturday. Gathering approximately 1,000 national and international delegates, the event kicked off under the forward-thinking theme, ‘Transforming Oral Health — Where Technology Meets Tradition’.
A Critical Look at Pakistan's Oral Health Landscape
In his inaugural address, Vice Chancellor LUMHS, Prof Dr Ikram Din Ujjan, delivered a stark assessment of the nation's oral healthcare. He identified it as a crucial yet frequently overlooked element of public health, particularly in Pakistan's rural and underserved communities. Prof Ujjan highlighted the rising burden of oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disorders, and oral cancers, stressing the urgent need for affordable and evidence-based solutions tailored to the local context.
Bridging the Gap Between Heritage and Innovation
The VC proposed a unique fusion to address these challenges. He emphasized the importance of integrating traditional practices—such as the use of miswak (chewing stick) and indigenous herbal knowledge—with cutting-edge modern dental science through rigorous research. Simultaneously, he pointed to the vast potential of advancements in digital dentistry, artificial intelligence (AI), diagnostic imaging, biomaterials, and tele-dentistry. These technologies, he argued, present significant opportunities to enhance service delivery and expand access to quality oral healthcare, especially within the public sector.
Prof Ujjan expressed strong confidence that the conference would serve as a catalyst for strengthening dental education, promoting homegrown research, and yielding outcomes that could inform better health policies. He urged faculty, postgraduate trainees, and students to dive into the scientific discussions and hoped the event would forge sustainable collaborations and produce practical recommendations for improving Pakistan's oral health services.
Dentistry at a Crossroads of Progress
Welcoming the participants on behalf of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dean Prof Dr Feroz Ali Kalhoro elaborated on the conference theme. He stated that contemporary dentistry finds itself at a fascinating intersection where rapid innovation meets rich professional tradition. Dr Kalhoro noted the transformative advancements of the past two decades, encompassing digital and 3D imaging, dental implants, and rotary endodontics.
The conference, he explained, aims to honor these deep-rooted professional traditions while actively exploring the revolutionary potential of modern tools like AI and advanced dental materials. He expressed hope that attendees would gain immensely from the lineup of lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on sessions led by renowned experts. Reaffirming the core values of the profession, Dr Kalhoro stressed that patient well-being, compassionate care, and lifelong learning remain paramount. "By embracing both technology and tradition, dentistry can continue to evolve and deliver better outcomes and wider access to oral healthcare," he concluded.
The conference is being organized under the chairmanship of Prof Dr Kashif Ali Channer. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of Pro-VC Prof Dr Seema Morai, Dr Salman Shams, Prof Amir But, Dr Shehzad Mugal, Dr Ashiq Sehto, Prof Dr Jabar Baloch, and other eminent figures from the medical and dental community.
