Orthodontists par Excellance in the kingdom

Once in a long while, I get the chance to learn new things and what more better than learning from the GODS of the Orthodontic world.

Last January 17 to 20, I had a chance of attending the 5th Annual Meeting of the Saudi Orthodontic Society

with none other than Dr. Ravindra Nanda

 and Dr. Hans-Peter Bantleon and many other admirable orthodontists.

I enjoyed the meeting together with Dra. Naura (the only other Pinoy Orthodontist in the meeting) who flew all the way from Buraidah, Al Qassim. Here, we bumped into Dr. Nanda again, with him saying "Oh

 well Hello again, from the Philippines, I was there about 10-12 years ago", with which we said, "Time to revisit again perhaps?" 

The venue was the Intercontinental Hotel Riyadh. And here we are about to engorge ourselves on the sumptuous buffet :-) Note the divider walls at the back of the buffet tables? The conference hall was separated by these same walls - men & women segregated...I think this was the only thing different from all other conferences I've ever attended. It does take a little getting used to but 4 days later....didn't really matter anymore.

The 2 days with Nanda and Bantleon were both held in the SAUDI COUNCIL FOR HEALTH SPECIALTIES (SCFHS) BUILDING.

The lobby of the building on a Thursday weekend - usually full of examinees and people. This building holds all the offices for health specialties in the kingdom, also a venue for small meetings. 

 A view from the main entrance

the usually crowded reception

If asked what I like the most in the meeting? It was that all of us were able to hear "ALL" the lectures. Unlike most conferences where "parallel"lectures were being held at the same time (so you have to choose) and so you get to miss some lectures, ÿou could say we were able to "eat everything in the buffet".
Aside from learning the clinical techniques of treating all kinds of "sungki"and "bungal" and even "bingot" (cleft lip & palate) cases, we had an exhibition of all orthodontic suppliers plus a lot of "freebies".  Overflowing coffee and sweets, ballpens and mugs, etc....memorabilias to bring home. Brochures were now replaced with CDs given to view at our convenience.

 The  magnetic pin I now wear over my coat :-)

Overall, it was a fun meeting, enlightening...for an annual meeting being held only for the 5th time (Philippine Dental Association I think is already holding its 105th)....I must congratulate the organizers for a job well done.

Things I learned in my next post.