31st Indian Society for Dental Research – International Association for Dental Research Annual Conference, Mumbai

The 31^st Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Dental Research (IADR-Indian Division) was held recently at the DY Patil School of Dentistry, Navi Mumbai, India. The ISDR is one of the biggest divisions of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR). It is also one of the most active divisions of the IADR and its membership base is one of the largest for any of the IADR subdivisions.

The conference was inaugurated by the IADR President, Prof Rena D’Souza. She was presented with a memento on the occasion by the Governing Council of the Indian Society for Dental Research (ISDR). She spoke about the role played by the ISDR towards enriching the atmosphere for dental research in India. She presented a memento of appreciation to Dr Vijay Patil, Conference Patron who welcomed the distinguished delegates to the conference.

Dr. Christopher Fox, Executive Director, IADR, spoke at length about the goals set by the IADR towards achieving improved oral health and overall general health throughout the world. Prof SM Balaji, Secretary General, ISDR later presented the annual report of the ISDR and spoke about the importance of dental research and the need to foster research in India.

The conference souvenir release was followed by distribution of the ISDR awards in all categories. The award winners were encouraged to consider research as a full time career in order to help expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge. There was also a hands on course on Advanced Dental Materials at the conference.

Various certificates were handed over to deserving students for meritorious performances in academics. Dr Namita Shanbhag was awarded the ISDR Fellowship Award.

Prof SM Balaji, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, presented the annual report of the ISDR at the conference. He also delivered a lecture on Craniofacial Surgery at the conference. His lecture on Advanced Craniofacial Surgery in Dental Practice was very well received by both faculty and students at the conference. He was presented with a memento in appreciation of his lecture at the conference.