United Arab Emirates, Dubai, January 31, 2012: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Dubai Health Authority, inaugurated this morning the sixteenth edition of the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by a number of regional and international officials and representatives from 132 countries during the opening ceremony, in addition to heads of delegates and in the presence of Orlando Monteiro Da Silva, President of the World Dental Federation (FDI).
Following the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan took a tour in the exhibition area, and explored the latest medical devices, technologies and equipment displayed by over 900 specialized companies from 80 countries. The tour included stops at company stands unveiling their latest technologies during AEEDC Dubai - which is the only event in the Middle East to receive recognition by the American Dental Association, and is ranked third globally.
He was impressed by the annual growth that AEEDC Dubai achieves every year, as the exhibition has increased by 15% this year. He was also delighted by the number of companies participating in the exhibition and the number of dentists participating in the conference. He also commented on the tremendous turnout reinforcing Dubai's role as a regional hub for major international companies who are looking forward to promote their products from Dubai to the Middle East and the world markets.
His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, reassured the pioneer role that Dubai plays in the Conference and Exhibitions businesses not only in the region, but also globally. He also said that Dubai has become a role model for all other countries, thanks to events such as AEEDC Dubai which provides a memorable experience to all participants and exhibitors and subsequently reflects positively on the dental field.
Al Murooshid said: "Our wise leadership represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the direct supervision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan maintained the reputable and prestigious status of Dubai as the perfect venue for high profile events, which reflects positively on the national economy and adds prosperity to the tourism sector in Dubai. Such events help in promoting the Emirate of Dubai as a perfect place for business and investment, with its facilities, infrastructure, and perfect investment opportunities." "AEEDC Dubai is an excellent platform for dentists in the region to develop their skills and stay up to date with the latest trends in the dentistry field, which reflects positively on upgrading the medical services," continued Al Murooshid AEEDC Dubai 2012 is embracing a number of new dental specialties for this year that includes new scientific courses, lectures and workshops that covers all dental specialties. Participants will have a golden opportunity to enrich their knowledge as AEEDC occupies a total of nine halls at the Dubai Convention Centre, four are dedicated for conference purposes and five halls are for the exhibiting companies where they display their latest dental product and equipments.
More than 28,000 dentists and professionals are attending AEEDC Dubai this year from 120 countries. The conference consists of more than 105 lectures, 8 workshops and 20 specialized courses delivered by more than 110 specialists and experts. The scientific committee this year endorsed lots of activities in the program so that delegates and participants can benefit from their time in the conference, exhibition and in Dubai.
From his side Dr. Tariq Khoory, the Director of the Dental Department at the Dubai Health Authority and the Honorary Chairman of AEEDC Dubai said: "AEEDC Dubai is always keen to provide multiple scientific activities for all participants so that it would cover all the dental specialties. AEEDC this year also features: the Arab-Asian-African-American Scientific Dental Alliance meeting with 70 representing countries, the GCC Preventive Dentistry Conference, Arab Dental Federation Council Meeting, CAD / CAM Forum, Cone Beam CT, the Advanced Specialty Courses, specialized lectures in Laser Dentistry, specialized lectures in Implantology and Aesthetic Dentistry Specialized lectures in Oral Hygiene, AEEDC Dubai Student Competition, AEEDC Dubai 2012 Awards, Poster Presentations and Competition, Oral Poster Presentations, in addition to the entertainment activities such as the AEEDC VIP Dinner, AEEDC Dubai Night which will be attended by more than 1500 people." Dr. Khoory continued: "All dentists and dentistry students from the Middle East and North African regions look forward to AEEDC every year as it is an excellent opportunity for students to participate in the student competitions that AEEDC organizes annually." "Dubai is an international hub for all scientific and health activities and businesses and AEEDC Dubai is the perfect attraction for all dentists from all over the world." Continued Dr. Khoory Dr. Khoory also reiterated that international companies also find AEEDC an excellent platform to display their products and equipments and some of the companies take the opportunity to launch their new line of products at AEEDC and find distributors in the Middle East and North Africa." Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, the Executive Chairman of AEEDC Dubai and the president of INDEX Holding, said: "The number of visitors and participants at AEEDC Dubai this year has grown by 15% which reassures the recognition that AEEDC Dubai gained throughout the years which reflects the significant role that the emirate of Dubai enjoys not only as an economic and trade hub but as a lead in organizing elite conferences and exhibitions." The increasing number of exhibitors and space of the exhibition area reflects the strategic position and credibility that Dubai enjoys, in addition to AEEDC's capability of presenting the latest research in this field. "The number of exhibiting companies for this year has reached more than 900 companies from 80 countries, and we anticipate deals worth millions of dollars to be signed during the exhibition" continued Dr. Al Madani.
Dr. Al Madani also said: "AEEDC Conference and Exhibition represents an outstanding opportunity for all dentists and decision makers from the private and public sectors, to purchase their necessities of devices and equipment, displayed by major international companies. Moreover, AEEDC Exhibition will feature 17 national pavilions primarily from: Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates." .