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DENTAL TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition Trends & Applications 15 “Patients demand instant aesthetic results” An interview Dr Sim Tang Eng, President of the Asian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry thetic dentistry organisation in one of the member countries, or privately. The AAAD aims to have all member countries register as institutional members in order to simplify the logistics of keeping track of membership records. The organisation’s 11th biennial meeting is going to be held in May. What objectives would you like to see fulfilled? In accordance with the objectives of AAAD, the main objective will be the promotion of the art and science of the disciplines in aesthetic dentistry. This year’s biennial meeting boasts some of the best speakers and clinicians in aesthetic dentistry in the world. It is very difficult to book them and we thus had to plan their lecture schedules way in advance. This meeting will be a golden learning opportunity for our colleagues in Asia, particularly in Malaysia. I hope it will foster greater understanding amongst Malaysian and other Asian dentists, besides providing an opportunity to experience the excellent scientific meetings that AAAD organises biennially in this region. I am sure it will be an eyeopening and rewarding experience to see and hear the level of aesthetic dentistry presented by our four keynote speakers. In the process, I hope attendees will be inspired and never look at aesthetic dentistry the same way again. What options for continuing education are available for Asian dentists? There are basically two options available. Firstly, besides the biennial AAAD meetings, dentists can attend the numerous scientific meetings and hands-on workshops organised regularly by the various national aesthetic dentistry organisations in the Asian region. Those who are really eager can attend the meetings organised by the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry, American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. These are excellent meetings but dentists will have to travel great distances to the meeting venues. Secondly, dentists can attend the structured programmes organised by universities. Several Dr Sim Tang Eng Twenty years ago, a new umbrella organisation for the various aesthetic dentistry bodies in Asia was founded at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong. Since then, the Asian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (AAAD) has grown significantly and now includes 12 members. Dental Tribune Asia Pacific editor Claudia Salwiczek spoke with president Dr Sim Tang Eng, Malaysia, about the organisation and what does it do to promote the principles of aesthetic dentistry in dental practices in Asia. Claudia Salwiczek: Dr Eng, how was the Asian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry established and who qualifies to be a member? Dr Sim Tang Eng: Following a preliminary meeting in Korea of interested representatives from Korea, Japan and Singapore in 1989, a formal Dr Eng with fellow members of the South Asian Academy of Aestethic Dentistry (DTI/Photo Suhit R. Adhikari) US universities offer courses, on part-time or full-time basis, tailored for aesthetic dentistry. In addition, it is extremely important for dentists to read journals and textbooks regularly in order to enrich their knowledge. I find that most dentists want to take the easy route by depending only on lectures and fellow colleagues for information. DT page 16 AD “Cosmetic dentistry must keep up-to-date with the developments in dental materials, technology and clinical techniques” meeting was convened at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong for the founding of the AAAD on 15 January 1990. At this historic meeting, which was chaired by Prof Stephen Wei, the founding officers were unanimously elected, with Prof Michio Haga from Japan as Founding President of the AAAD. Since then, the Academy has grown annually and the number of member countries has increased from the original three to include China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. In order to become a member of AAAD, one must hold a university dental degree. Alternatively, dentists can become a member through the institutional membership of an aesIn your opinion, how important is continuing education in the field of cosmetic dentistry? Very important! In fact, I strongly believe that all dental professionals who profess to practise aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry must keep up-to-date with the developments in dental materials, technology and clinical techniques, as this clinical discipline changes dynamically and rapidly. They have to possess knowledge of sound scientific theories and clinical practice. They owe it to their patients who entrust them with the responsibility of providing quality aesthetic dentistry. This is only possible if the dentists keep abreast of developments through continuing education.