Wits Hosts the 54th IADR South African Scientific Meeting
- FHS Communications
The Wits School of Oral Health Science Local Organising Committee, Chaired by Dr Mpho Molete, convened the 54th Scientific Meeting of IADR
The Wits School of Oral Health Science Local Organising Committee, Chaired by Dr Mpho Molete, was delighted to convene the 54th Scientific Meeting of the South African Division of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR).
Caption: The Wits IADR Local Organising Committee. L-R: Cathrine Malau, Koketso Tshite, Saidah Tootla, Daveyrose Ralephenya, Olatunbosun Olaleye, Mpho Molete (Missing from image is Lebogang Mfikoe)
The conference, held on the 11th September at the Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre in Fourways, was themed “Mapping the future for Oral Health Research and Practice in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).” This prompted delegates to reflect on how to advance dental research and practice by leveraging the benefits of AI, while also being conscious of its ethical considerations.
Professor Risimati Rikhotso opened the meeting on behalf of the IADR and the Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC). This was followed by insightful presentations by internationally recognised experts, Professors Habib Benzian, Nileshkumar Dubey and Lekan Ayo-Yusuf.
Benzian, an International Dental Public Health expert with research interest in health policy and international development, spoke on the role of leadership in Dental Public Health as it shapes and translates the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Global Oral Health Action Plan. Ayo-Yusuf, the Head of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria, expanded on the topic From Global Commission to Action in South Africa: Embracing Oral Health Equity, Prevention and Artificial Intelligence. Dubey, a Material Scientist, Bioengineer and Dentist from Mayland University, also elaborated on the use of smart new technologies to enhance Accessible Bioengineered Solutions for Tissue Repair, further building on the action plan’s goal to address inequalities.
The speaker line-up included Ms Ronelle Klinck, an education technologist from the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences Teaching and Learning Office, as well as Dr Raj Rattan and Prof. Shenuka Singh, who delivered ethics lectures.
Over 80 delegates from the Universities of Pretoria, Sefako Makgatho, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal engaged on the topics, adding to the dynamic discussions.
Caption: Wits undergraduate competition winner, Shaun Du Plessis, presenting at the conference
“The student competitions were a highlight, with five undergraduate student entries and eight postgraduate student entries. We are happy to report that the undergraduate Colgate Palmolive award was won by our Wits Undergraduate student– Mr Shaun Du Plessis, whom we are proud of,” said Molete. Du Plessis’ presentation was entitled, “E-cigarette Advertising Exposure among High School Learners in Johannesburg”.
Caption: The Wits School of Oral Health Sciences team at the Gala Dinner
The scientific meeting was well supported by South African Dental Schools and the Gauteng Department of Health. The Wits School of Oral Health Sciences is proud to continue the culture of research engagement and collaboration. “The thread of aligning AI to the professional was consistent, and the Keynote speakers emphasised the call to action in using our research towards bringing impactful change and advocating for oral health outside our siloed spaces,” adds Molete as she reflected on the key events of the day.