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Dr SM Balaji attends the 97th IADR General Session in Vancouver, Canada

Dr SM Balaji attends the 97th IADR General Session in Vancouver, Canada

by | Aug 7, 2019 | Events

Dr SM Balaji attended the 97th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) that was held in Vancouver, Canada. He is the Secretary General of the Indian Society of Dental Research (ISDR), which is the Indian Division of the IADR. This general session was held in conjunction with the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) and the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR).

Dr S M Balaji at IADR Vancouver
Governing council of IADR

Role played by Dr SM Balaji in the IADR and ISDR

The IADR was formed in 1920 with the purpose of advancing the cause of dental research throughout the world. The Indian Society of Dental Research came into being in 1986. It has become one of the biggest divisions of the IADR since its inception over 30 years ago. Dr SM Balaji has contributed immensely to the cause of the IADR through the initiatives taken under his leadership in developing interest in research among dental students.

Discussions at IADR
Dr SM Balaji at the general session

The welcome speech at the 97th General Session was delivered by Dr Rena D’Souza, President, IADR. She stressed on the importance of dental research towards improving the quality of life of humanity. Dr Christopher Fox, Executive Director, IADR, enumerated the role played by the IADR towards fostering partnerships between different divisions towards advancing research on a global scale.

Successful scientific sessions at the IADR

The 97th General Session of the IADR was marked by lectures, symposia, keynote addresses and hands on workshops by stalwarts involved in cutting edge dental research across the world. All these scientific sessions were well attended by members of the fraternity and were followed by interactive question and answer sessions, which were marked by in depth explanations to satisfy the audience.

Scientific symposium lecture delivered by Dr SM Balaji

Dr Simon Young of the Oral and Maxillofacial Group conducted a symposium on “Advances in Maxillofacial Tissue Engineering.” Dr SM Balaji spoke about “The Spectrum and Complexities of Maxillofacial Defects – Impact on the Quality of Life” at this symposium. He presented cases from his over 25 years’ experience as a cranio-maxillofacial surgeon that illustrated how innovations were essential to overcome obstacles that presented during surgery.

Dr Simon Young scientific symposium
Dr SM Balaji enumerating cases
Surgical innovations presented
Dr SM Balaji stresses a point

Dr SM Balaji is moderator at the Oral and Maxillofacial Research Group symposium

Dr SM Balaji was the moderator for the lecture by Dr James C Melville on “Virtual Surgical Planning – Pathology and Reconstruction” at the symposium conducted by Dr Simon Young. The questions raised by Dr SM Balaji during the lecture help illuminate the intricacies of virtual surgical planning to the eager audience members.

Session moderator
Craniofacial reconstruction
Detailed case history
Craniofacial deformities reconstruction
Rehabilitating craniofacial defects
Congenital craniofacial anomalies
Helping children lead a normal life
Training as a craniofacial surgeon
Detailed presurgical planning
Successful rehabilitation
Congenital birth defects
Detailed presurgical planning

Dr SM Balaji meets Dr Ryan, President of AADR

Dr SM Balaji also met with Dr Maria Emanuel Ryan, President, AADR and discussed ways on improving research ties between the two biggest divisions of the IADR. They both expressed the need for more collaboration between the two divisions to foster dental research for the betterment of humanity.

Dr Balaji with Dr Maria Ryan, President of AADR
Dr Christopher Fox, Executive director of IADR
At IADR, Vancouver

Dr SM Balaji interacts with FDI President and Executive Director

With Dr Kell and Dr Bondioni of FDI

Dr SM Balaji also met with Dr Kathryn Kell, President and Dr Enzo Bondioni, Executive Director of the World Dental Federation (FDI). They held talks on ways of improving the dissemination of knowledge towards raising the standards of oral health throughout the world. It was felt that further research was needed towards developing a better understanding between oral health and overall systemic health.

The 97th IADR General Session was a resounding success with very productive scientific sessions, symposia and hands on workshops that benefit all the delegates who had gathered in the beautiful Canadian city of Vancouver. Old ties were renewed and new ones established at the conference.

Meeting an old friend
Renewing old ties at the conference

Visit of Dr Andrew Edwards, Dean-Elect, Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow

Visit of Dr Andrew Edwards, Dean-Elect, Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow

by | Jul 14, 2019 | Events

Visit of Dr Andrew Edwards to Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

Dr Andrew Edwards was invited to visit Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital by Dr SM Balaji, a renowned Chennai-based Cranio-maxillofacial surgeon. The distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is the Dean-Elect of the Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow, visited the hospital with his team of surgeons. They were warmly welcomed at the hospital by Dr SM Balaji, Dr Preetha Balaji, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Dr Varsha Balaji, postgraduate MD student in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Welcoming to Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital
Introducing consultants at the hospital
Dr Andrew Edwards meets Dr Preetha Balaji
Dr Edwards introduces Dr Balaji to team member
A member of Dr Edwards team

Dr SM Balaji gives a guided tour of the dental clinic to the visitors

The visitors were first given a guided tour of the dental clinic by Dr SM Balaji. The various treatments offered at the clinic were explained to them as were the safety protocols regarding asepsis and sterilization practices at the clinic. Dr Edwards and his team were suitably impressed and said that this was on par with the standard treatment protocols prescribed by the Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow.

In the dental clinic at BDCH
A tour of the dental clinic

Interaction with patients at the hospital

Dr Edwards and his team were then taken for ward rounds by Dr SM Balaji and met with some of the patients. They viewed preoperative photographs of the patients and Dr SM Balaji explained some of the challenges and the steps taken to overcome them in a third world setting.

Ward rounds at Balaji Dental
Visitors meet patients
Outside the operation theaters
Teams meets staff members
Interaction between the teams
Ward rounds at Balaji Dental

Dr Edwards expressed his appreciation at the innovative techniques evolved by Dr SM Balaji to provide results that were world class.

Viewing patient photos
Innovations being explained by Dr SM Balaji.
QA session regarding cases

Challenging cases performed at the hospital

Dr Edwards and his team then interacted with Dr SM Balaji and his team over hors d’oeuvres at the conference hall. They viewed slides/videos of surgeries performed on syndromic patients with craniofacial deformities with preoperative and postoperative photographs.

Dr Edwards expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by Dr SM Balaji for patients who would otherwise have a very poor quality of life due to their craniofacial deformities. The visiting team expressed their appreciation to Dr Balaji for having provided them with an insight into the quality of medical care being provided at the hospital.

Conference hall of Balaji Dental
Visitors view patient videos
A view of patient videos
Informal interactions at Balaji Dental
Dr SM Balaji with Dr Andrew Edwards
The surgeons share a lighter moment
Deeply engrossed in conversation

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

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

by | Jun 30, 2019 | Events

Indian Society for Dental Research

The 31st 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.

31st Indian Society for Dental Research-International Association for Dental Research Annual Conference

Conference inaugurated by President Rena D’Souza of IADR

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.

Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR presenting Award of Appreciation to Dr Vijay Patil, Chief Guest and Chancellor of Dr DY Patil University
Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR presenting Award of Appreciation to Dr Vijay Patil, Chief Guest and Chancellor of Dr DY Patil University
Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR, at her presidential address at the 31st Annual Conference of the ISDR
Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR, at her presidential address at the 31st Annual Conference of the ISDR

Presentation of annual report by Dr SM Balaji

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.

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.
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.

Release of conference souvenir by the dignitaries

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.

Release of the conference souvenir by the dignitaries at the 31st Annual Conference of the ISDR
A view of the hands on course at the conference
A view of the hands on course 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 Rene D’Souza and Prof SM Balaji presenting certificates to meritorious students
A certificate of appreciation presented to a student delegate
Prof Rene D’Souza handing over the ISDR Fellowship Award to Dr Namita Shanbhag. Also seen are Dr Vijay Patil, Dr SM Balaji and Dr Hari Parkash

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.

Dr Balaji delivered a lecture on Advanced Craniofacial Surgery in Dental Practice, which was very well received by the audience
– Prof SM Balaji receives an Award of Appreciation at the conference for his outstanding paper on Advanced Craniofacial Surgery in Dental Practice.
A view of the delegates at the conference
A view of the delegates at the conference
Senior faculty delegates at the conference

Distribution of certificates by Dr SM Balaji to meritorious students

Prof SM Balaji later presented certificates to meritorious students of the DY Patil School of Dentistry.

A top ranker being presented with Dr SM Balaji’s Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Sri Venkateswara Dental College Anti-Ragging programme

Sri Venkateswara Dental College Anti-Ragging programme

by | May 8, 2019 | Events

Invited as chief guest at Sri Venkateswara Dental College

Dr SM Balaji, Hon’ble Member, Dental Council of India was invited to be the chief guest at the Antiragging Orientation Programme at Sri Venkateswara Dental College, which was organized by the college authorities to raise awareness amongst the students about the Antiragging Act of 2010. He was warmly welcomed by Prof Lodd Mahendra, Principal, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Dr Jothimurugan, Vice chancellor, Vels University.

Prof Balaji with Prof Lodd Mahendra
Prof Balaji with Prof Lodd Mahendra
Prof SM Balaji on the dais with Prof V Rangarajan
Prof SM Balaji on the dais with Prof V Rangarajan
Dr SM Balaji with Dr Jothimurugan, Vice chancellor, Vels University
Dr SM Balaji with Dr Jothimurugan, Vice chancellor, Vels University

An introduction into the consequences of ragging

Dr SM Balaji spoke at length about the consequences ragging had on the life of students and how it could result in irreparable harm in the lives of all concerned. Ragging, he said, is something that students think is harmless, but can have devastating consequences when it goes wrong.

An Anecdote from student days recalled

He spoke about the infamous ragging incident that happened in a dental college in Tamil Nadu in 1997 that had culminated in the death of a fresher and arrest of the involved seniors. He spoke about how it would not only affect the students, but also the parents and the families of those involved and how the grief arising from such untoward incidences would have to be borne by those involved to their graves.

Dr SM Balaji addressing the students about the evils of ragging
Dr SM Balaji addressing the students about the evils of ragging
Dr SM Balaji at his antiragging orientation speech
Dr SM Balaji at his antiragging orientation speech

Invaluable guiding advice for the future

The aim of his speech was to educate the students about what lay ahead in their lives and the success and happiness that would result from pursuing dentistry as a career choice. He told them that all this could be jeopardized by undesirable behaviors that accompanied instances of ragging.

He explained that they needed to develop the focus and drive to sustain them in a lifetime pursuit of gaining skills to succeed in life. He said that the foundation of this focus and drive needed to be laid during their college life and they should not waste time on anything that could distract them from it.

Dr SM Balaji explains about the importance of goals in life
Dr SM Balaji explains about the importance of goals in life
Dr SM Balaji at his speech introducing craniofacial surgery to the students
Dr SM Balaji at his speech introducing craniofacial surgery to the students

An incomparable career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

He also spoke to them about his passion for maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery and how he had developed this focus while he was in college as an undergraduate student. He said that the sky was the limit as far as achievements in their career were concerned provided they had the right focus. He then presented his Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to a meritorious student of the college at the conclusion of the function

Dr SM Balaji presents a case of craniofacial surgery
Dr SM Balaji presents a case of craniofacial surgery
Dr SM Balaji talks about his life as a craniofacial surgeon
Dr SM Balaji talks about his life as a craniofacial surgeon
Dr SM Balaji talks about the joys of rehabilitating a disabled child
Dr SM Balaji talks about the joys of rehabilitating a disabled child
Dr SM Balaji's Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery presented to a topper
Dr SM Balaji's Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery presented to a topper

Research in Salivary Diagnostics informal symposium held at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

Research in Salivary Diagnostics informal symposium held at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

by | Feb 8, 2019 | Events

Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital hosts Research in Salivary Diagnostics symposium

Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital was the venue for the introductory presentation on “Research in Salivary Diagnostics,” held on February 2, 2019. This informal symposium was organized by the director, Dr SM Balaji, who has always stressed on the importance of meaningful research in dentistry and its allied branches. Dr Preetha Balaji, Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, was also present at the gathering.

An introduction into Salivary Diagnostics

Salivary Diagnostics is a very advanced and newly introduced concept. It has been shown to have greater acceptance amongst patients because of its noninvasive nature and amongst doctors and researchers for its greater sensitivity and specificity when compared to existing modalities. The use of salivary diagnostics and research has thus far been limited to a few diseases and conditions.

Deans and principals invited for dissemination of information about Salivary Diagnostics

This meeting was organized as a means to introduce this to Indian Dentists and popularize the concept through the deans and vice principals of Chennai based dental colleges and hospitals. Further programs have been planned down the line to further disseminate information regarding the scope of including more diseases that can be diagnosed using this modality.

Eminent scientific researchers invited as principal speakers for symposium

The invited speakers were

Dr Paul Slowey USA
Dr. Paul Slowey, USA

Dr. Paul Slowey, USA, who spoke on “Standardized Devices for Salivary Diagnostics”. Dr. Paul Slowey is the CEO of the Oasis Diagnostics Corporation, USA. His presentation concentrated on addressing a growing need for non-invasive saliva based technology for rapid testing, sample collection, and molecular diagnostics [DNA, RNA and proteins] to alleviate human suffering and usher in a new era of improved health. He spoke at length about the success of his concepts and possible avenues for collaborating with Indian dental researchers.

Dr Benji Pretorius, South Africa
Dr Benji Pretorius, South Africa

Dr Benji Pretorius, South Africa, spoke on “Rapid Diagnostic using Saliva instead of blood”. Dr. Benji Pretorius is the founder of ERADA Technology Alliance Ltd (ERADA). This is a unique collaborative effort between the South African governmental agencies, Johns Hopkins University and Dinglasan Malaria Laboratory in Florida, US. His work ultimately aims to eradicate malaria from the world and he has had stupendous success in using saliva as an early diagnostic tool for malaria in South Africa. He described in detail the concepts and success of the Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic & Asexual Rapid Test – a non-invasive diagnostic for the detection of sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes even at a low concentration.

Later, the Deans and Vice Principals of Chennai based Dental Colleges interacted over dinner with Dr. Paul Slowey and Dr. Benji Pretorius.


Dr Preetha Balaji receives the Young Maxillofacial Surgeon Award

Dr Preetha Balaji receives the Young Maxillofacial Surgeon Award

by | Feb 4, 2019 | Events

Eminent craniofacial surgeons attend craniofacial summit in Sri Lanka

Dr. Preetha Balaji of Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Chennai was invited to deliver a lecture at the 4th international Craniofacial and Dental Summit held recently in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was jointly organized by the Peradeniya University of Sri Lanka. Prof. Divya Mehrotra, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, was the course director at the conference.

The main theme of the conference was Rehabilitation and Disabilities. The conference sought to highlight emerging craniofacial health related issues in the region and to establish protocols for rehabilitation of these problems.

Young Maxillofacial Surgeon Award

Dr Preetha Balaji receives the Young Maxillofacial Surgeon Award

Dr Preetha Balaji delivered a lecture on the surgical management of hemifacial microsomia. Her paper was well received by the distinguished audience and she received the “Young Maxillofacial Surgeon Award” in light of her passion and dedication towards the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

She received the award from Prof JAVP Jayasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Peradeniya University. Also present were Prof Ruwan D Jayasinghe, Organizing Chair, Prof Manil Fonseka, Organizing Secretary and Prof Prasad Amaratunga, Primrose Hospital, Kandy.

Dr Preetha Balaji on hemifacial microsomia
Dr Preetha Balaji at her paper presentation on the management of hemifacial microsomia at the recently concluded Dental and Craniofacial Summit