On behalf of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority, HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Acting Minister of Health, opened today morning 10th Arab Orthodontic Congress 2011 at InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.

 

The 2-days congress is organized by Emirates society of Orthodontic in cooperation with Arab Orthodontic Society, and supported by UAE Ministry of Health, Dubai Health Authority and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences (SHAMS).

 

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Al Hashimy a member of SHAMS’ board of trustees, Mr. Abdullah Bin Souqat Executive Director of the award, Mr. Nasser Khlifa Al Bedour UAE Ministry of Health’s Assistant Undersecretary and Director of External Relations and International Organizations and 500 specialists and officials in MOH and DHA.

 

After listening to the Holy Quran, the attendees enjoyed watching a short film on the occasion of celebrating the 40th anniversary of UAE National Day.

 

Then, HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais delivered the speech of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid AL Maktoum in which HH welcomed the congress’ guests and said "It is out of our pleasure to host this congress in UAE as it is one of the most important Orthodontic Congress in the Arab Region".

 

"The wise leadership of H.H. Sheikh Khelifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates is keen to achieve progress and development in all fields by knowledge and openness to human sciences and global cultures", HH said.

 

"Hence, the foundation and development of UAE and diligence to keep pace of scientific development in all fields had a great impact on the progress of medical research and a main priority on the country’s agenda to enrich the health progress and raise the services of the healthcare field", HH added.

 

Also, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid referred to the continuing efforts of the UAE to develop and enlarge all diagnostic and therapeutic services, sciences, modern knowledge and techniques which will enable the healthcare sector to give more attention to these aspects, sponsor and encourage specialized scientific congress and exchange experiences and ideas between scientists and specialists.

 

 

 

"This congress is one of the most important congresses which are highly attended by a large number of orthodontists and a great opportunity to review the latest updates in this regard", HH added. 

At the end of his speech, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid thanked the Organizing Committee for all their efforts in making this congress in the Emirate of Dubai especially The Arab Orthodontics Society and Emirates society of Orthodontic, and lauded the efforts of all the participants and attendees in the congress and accompanying exhibition as well as the committee for their contribution to the success of the conference. 

 

Then, Dr. Sami Samawy, General Secretary of Arab Orthodontic Society delivered a speech in which he spoke about the society which is considered a purely scientific congregation, primarily interested in all aspects of Orthodontics and methods of practice and education across the Arab world.

 

"It was an exceptional event during which a small group of Jordanian Orthodontic Specialists managed to gather around 85 of Arab Orthodontic specialists from ten Arab countries, resulted in holding the first Arab Congress in 29th of April 1993", he said.

 

"On the sidelines of the Congress was cast the proposal of founding the Arab Orthodontic Society, and the proposal was adopted unanimously. After deliberations which had taken some time, the Constitution of the Arab Orthodontic Society was approved in Damascus on the 28th of October 1997, during the 3rd Arab Orthodontic Congress", he added.

 

"The main objective of the Society is to develop and encourage communication among qualified Arab Orthodontic Specialists to hold scientific conferences and symposia for the exchange of experiences locally and internationally for the purpose of encouraging Continuous Medical Education and increasing knowledge and competence of the Orthodontic Specialists who are affiliates to the Society, which will necessarily be reflected on the quality of medical service rendered to the public", Dr. Samawy said.

 

He also referred to the role of Arab Society concerning providing advice and guidance to the Dental and Medical Syndicates and Organizations as regards all issues related to Orthodontics and teaching methodologies in this field.

 

"The Arab Society is an active member of World Federation of Orthodontics, Mediterranean Orthodontic Integration Program Group and Francophone Group. The number of Arab countries affiliated to the Arab Society is twelve Arab Societies, and comprises a total of around 465 active members as member participants of the Arab Orthodontic Society", he said.

 

"Our future aspirations include the formation of Arab Orthodontic Medical Council to regulate training methods, techniques and programs in this medical practice so that students who successfully pass the acknowledged training could enroll in Arab Orthodontic Board examinations. In the near future, God willing, an application will be submitted in this regard to the Council of Arab Health Ministries in its future meetings", he added.

 

He also said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and the Society has indeed made several steps forward.

 

"We will rely on the activity and determination of the young and new generations of qualified specialists in Orthodontics in all Arab countries to follow the right process in order to stand on equal footing with the other international associations in this field", he confirmed. 

 

"The roadmap of AOS, its objectives, and Bylaws were laid down and approved, during the 2nd AOS congress in Tunisia in 1995, and the 3rd AOS congress in Syria in 1997. The AOS is the scientific organization representing all aspects of orthodontic practice in Arab countries. It promotes and paves the way for delivering high quality orthodontics for the public, through continued education programs aimed at the Orthodontic Specialist. Furthermore the society is committed to enlighten the general dental practitioner, as well as the public, about all facets and spheres of orthodontic practice. The Society advises the Arab Dental Associations and other medical and dental organizations on matters pertaining to the science and practice of Orthodontics", he added.

 

 Then, Dr. Mouza Tahwara, president of AOS and Emirates Orthodontic Society, delivered a speech in which she welcomed the attendees who will enjoy attending several lectures with the aim of providing the best services for their patients.

 

"The big number of participants, workshops and lectures is a clear indication for your appreciation for the role of UAE in the international arena as a member of World Federation of Orthodontists and a key member of World Health Organization as well as in the affiliate bodies and organizations, and it also demonstrates your appreciation to your colleagues in Emirates Orthodontic Society", she said.

 

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to UAE Health Authorities for their tremendous efforts which are applied to develop medical services in the country, the distinguished Orthodontic professors and lecturers in this Congress who are the elite in the field of Orthodontics and who did not hesitate to visit our country", she added.

 

She also extend her sincere thanks and gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority, Patron of the Congress for his generous support to the science and scientists and to His Excellency Mr. Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais UAE Minister of Youth, Culture and Community Development and Acting Minister of Health for the efforts exerted in all medical fields. She thanked, also, the General Secretariat of the Arab Orthodontic Society, and specially her colleague Dr. Sami Samawy, the Secretary General of the Arab Orthodontic Society. She thanked the kind support provided by Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences especially by Mr. Abdulla Bin Souqat, Award’s Executive Director.

 

She also thanked all the bodies, institutions, companies, media and others who have contributed to the support of this Congress, as well as her colleagues in Emirates Orthodontic Society, specially Dr. Amna Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Scientific Committee and Dr. Nadia Al Qadi, Secretary of the Association for their massive efforts in the praiseworthy preparation for this Congress.

 

After that a UAE folk dance by a group of school students was presented and then HE Al Owais opened the exhibition which presents the latest orthodontic technologies.