November 23, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. at Pulman Raja Orchid Hotel, Khon Kaen – Faculty of Dentistry of Khon Kaen University and the Thai Association of Dental Implantology host a 2020 conference on “Upskill for Implant Success”. Assoc. Prof. Somchai Setsirisombat, D.D.S., President of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology gave a reporting speech, while Asst. Prof. Teekayu Palangkoon Jorns, D.D.S., Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Study and Foreign Relation of Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, presided over the opening ceremony. Over 360 dentists all over Thailand joined.
The conference, “Upskill for Implant Success” was aimed at developing and promoting dental implant knowledge among the association members and dentists as well as to respond to the country’s policy for Thailand to be the center for dental implant in ASEAN.
Assoc. Prof. Somchai Setsirisombat, D.D.S., President of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology said that the annual conference of the association this year was different from other years because it was the first time to be held upcountry. In the past, the venues chosen by the association or organizations related to dental care used to be in Bangkok. The Association believes that the dental implantology profession should exist in all regions.
“All through the past 10 years, the Thai Association of Dental Implantology can be said to hold the conference in other regions than the center or Bangkok. Khon Kaen is the first province that we think of. We are confident that we have a strong co-host, that is the Faculty of Dentistry here. We sent Dr. Tara Sirikrai, an alumnus of KKU to contact the Faculty and was welcomed warmly. That was when the arrangement began. We planned, a year ago, to hold the conference in August, but because of the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, it has been postponed to November. We have planned and insisted that the conference will be organized at a venue with all participants present. This turns to be successful because there are 360 people registered. There are 27 companies joining with their 30 booths. I believe this is the best we can do thanks to Khon Kaen University team, who has worked hard and made this event successful,” said Assoc. Prof. Somchai.
Asst. Prof. Teekayu Palangkoon Jorns, D.D.S., Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Study and Foreign Relation of Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University said he was happy to see the dental implantology circle developing very fast. The dental care in this regard is now expanding and is being greatly interested among dentists and patients needing the implants and false teeth.
“Implants have been widely used as a means for oral fixing for patients who have lost their teeth or have difficulty in chewing. There are more patients with such requirements. Besides, dental implants have been developed very fast academically and technologically and so have been well accepted by patients. The Thai Association of Dental Implantology and Faculty of Dentistry of Khon Kaen University therefore see the importance to develop and enhance the knowledge in dental implantology among Thai dentists so that they will possess the knowledge and experiences and become able to offer dental implant service to the patients. Moreover, we would like to promote Thailand as a dental implant center in ASEAN,” Asst. Prof. Teekayu said.
The “Upskill for Implant Success” conference features the following outstanding points, that is the special talk on live surgery: Implant Navigation vs Guided Surgery by Assoc. Prof. Athipan Pimkhawkham, D.D.S. and Asst. Prof. Siripong Sitthisomwong, D.D.S. Moreover, a number of specialists have been invited from many institutes to give special talks, i.e., Asst. Prof. Chaiwut Phruekngampan, D.D.S.; Dr. Pithiwat Uasuwan, D.D.S.; Dr. Pongsakorn Phuwarodom, D.D.S. from Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University; Assoc. Prof. Patthapon Asawanan, D.D.S., from Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University; Dr. Paksinee Kamolratanakul, D.D.S., Dr. Athikom Surintanasan, D.D.S., from Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University; Asst. Prof. Pimduan Tungsiyakul, D.D.S., from Faculty of Dentistry, Chiangmai University; Col. Tanakrit Noppakhunwijai , D.D.S., from the Dental Department Tanarat Camp Hospital; Dr. Tanasin Buntaweekhun, D.M.D., a specialist in Periodontology; Asst. Prof. Narong Phoket Tungsiyakul, D.D.S. In addition, a Hands-on activity was arranged by dividing participants into 4 groups: Neo Biotech, Schumit 1967, Prominedn, and XP Professional.
The conference was scheduled on November 23-24, 2020. Besides the special talks said above by speakers from many institutes, there were exhibitions of products related to dental implants so that the dentists can buy these products in real bargain prices.
News / Photos: Rawiporn Saisaenthong, Yong Phosuwan
