Dr SM Balaji, Hon’ble Member, Dental Council of India, was the chief guest for the 3rd Graduation day at Tagore Dental College. Upon arrival at the college, he was warmly received by Prof Chitraa R Chandran, Principal, Prof S Balagopal, Vice Principal-Academics and Prof CJ Venkatakrishnan, Vice Principal-Administration. Prof Mala, Correspondent of Tagore Dental College also honored him with a bouquet.
The convocation was a grand affair and all the graduands had assembled at the auditorium of the college. Prof SM Balaji addressed the students with his usual mix of brevity and humor. He emphasized to them the need to adopt a holistic approach towards their chosen profession as they embarked upon their career in dentistry.
His speech reiterated to them the importance of teamwork as they stepped out into the world from the protective cocoon of their college lives. Teamwork is what elevates the individual to higher levels was a recurring theme in his address to them. He spoke about his career as a researcher and the urgent need for continued research in all specialties of dentistry.
The students listened in rapt attention as he narrated snippets from his life about interactions with patients who left their mark on him and how he attained such great heights in his career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He spoke about the passion and dedication he has towards attaining even greater heights and provided valuable tips to the students on how to build a successful career.
Another important aspect he spoke about was about developing skills that would help in alleviating the sufferings of patients. He spoke about his various cleft surgical missions to the lesser developed regions of the world and how this acted as a spur to make him pursue this with a zeal and passion that has remained unabated over the years. “Never be discouraged by circumstances, but learn to master them” he extolled them at the conclusion of his speech.
Following this, Dr SM Balaji presented Certificates of Excellence to meritorious students for their academic excellence throughout their period of study in the college.
International Association for Dental Research (IADR)
Dr SM Balaji attended the 94th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). The IADR exhibition was also held at the same time. These events were both held at the London Convention Center, London in July 2018. He is the Secretary General of the Indian Division of the IADR. The session was a grand success with many meetings held. Plans were made for implementing the cause of dental research throughout the world.
Dr SM Balaji participates in the IADR Council meeting
The importance of the IADR in Global Dental Research
IADR is the premier world body responsible for streamlining dental research. It is responsible towards laying down guidelines for dental research. Important areas of research are first identified by the IADR. It is then prioritized taking into account the current need for the research. Research grants are then distributed taking into account all factors.
Outstanding research contributions are also recognized and awarded by the IADR. Prestigious IADR awards in all categories are also given at annual general sessions. The IADR governing body consists of service minded individuals who guide research worldwide. Journal of Dental Research (JDR), the official journal of the IADR, is one of high prestige. Research works of great value feature in each edition of the journal.
Role played by Prof SM Balaji in furthering IADR activities
The board meeting of the International Association for Dental Research-Asia Pacific region (IADR-APR) was also held. Prof SM Balaji, Past President of the IADR-APR played an integral role in it. This was helmed by Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR. Also present at the meeting were Dr Christopher Fox, Executive Director, IADR and Prof Chuanbin Guo, President, IADR-APR amongst others. Many important issues were discussed at the session. Decisions towards the improvement of dental research in the region were also formulated. Planning for laying down the structures needed for successful implementation was also done here.
Of note, special mention was made by Prof D’ Souza about the stellar role Dr SM Balaji played as Secretary General of the Indian Society For Dental Research (ISDR) in organizing the symposium on dental research at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai and the 30th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Dental Research at the Center for Dental Education and Research (CDER) in AIIMS, New Delhi in 2018. She noted that both the events were a grand success with the participation of over 1000 delegates.
Council meeting and council dinner hosted by Dr Angus Walls
Prof SM Balaji also participated in the council meeting of the IADR. This saw active participation by all the international council members of the IADR. Following this was the IADR Council dinner hosted by Colgate, UK at the Tower Bridge, London. Dr Angus WH Walls, Past President, IADR, made the inaugural speech. He welcomed the distinguished members of the IADR to the dinner. Dr Kathryn Kell, President, FDI World Dental Federation attended the dinner. Also present was Dr Enzo Bondioni, Executive Director, FDI World Dental Federation.
The IADR Science Information Committee (SIC) meeting was also conducted at the London Convention Center as part of the 94th IADR General Session and Exhibition. Dr Peter Mossey and Dr SM Balaji participated actively in the SIC meeting.
General session and exhibition opening ceremony in London
Prof SM Balaji took part in the official opening ceremony of the 94th IADR General Session and Exhibition. The opening speech by Prof Rena D’Souza, President, IADR, was very thought provoking. It touched upon the pressing need for further research into all aspects of oral health. She thanked everyone who had been of immense help in assisting her in her research activities over the years. Prof SM Balaji met with Professor Mike Curtis, Executive Dean of Dentistry, Kings College of London, Guy’s Hospital. He also met Prof Thomas Frank Flemmig, Dean, Kingboard Professor in advanced dentistry and Clinical Professor in Periodontology, Hong Kong University amongst many others after the opening ceremony.
Prof SM Balaji at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Research Group
Prof SM Balaji is an active member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Research Group of the IADR. A business meeting of the OMS Research Group was held at the South Gallery of the London Convention Center. This saw the participation of Prof Simon Young, Assistant Professor, UTHealth School of Dentistry, Texas. He spoke at length at the importance of furthering the interests of research among the emerging generation of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Others present at the business meeting were Prof SM Balaji Prof Rabie M Shanti, Associate Professor of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Dr Bilal Ahmed, Certified Implant Specialist, University of Birmingham and Dr Sunday Ajike, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria amongst others.
Mentorship role at the Student Training and Research network of the IADR
Dr SM Balaji is the President of the IADR Student Training and Research network (STAR). Prof Corrado Paganelli, University of Brescia and Chair of the Board, International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations was the keynote speaker at the IADR STAR network meeting, held at the London Convention Center. The importance of research in all the fields of dentistry was stressed upon in his keynote speech.
Dr SM Balaji at the University of Buenos Aires Hospital’s Department of Oral Surgery
Dr SM Balaji was invited by Prof Sergio Gotta, Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Buenos Aires. He was given a guided tour of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by Prof Gotta accompanied by Dr Maricel Marini, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and residents of the department. Prof Gotta explained to him the various measures that had been put in place for the benefit of the patients.
Dr SM Balaji with Prof Sergio Gotta, Dr Maricel Marini and residents of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
A few light moments spent at the cafeteria with staff members of the department
Dr SM Balaji interacts with the staff of the hospital
Dr SM Balaji spent some light hearted moments at the hospital cafeteria with Prof Gotta, Dr Marini and the residents. He later gave them complimentary copies of his Clinical Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery textbook and the current issue of the Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery, a Scopus indexed journal for which he is the Editor in Chief.
A busy day at the University of Buenos Aires Hospital
Dr SM Balaji with the staff and residents of the department after presenting the Clinical Craniomaxillofacial Surgery textbook and AMS journal
Dr SM Balaji invited to attend the presentation ceremony of the Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzSOMS)
Dr. SM Balaji was invited to the presentation ceremony of the AzSOMS. This was held at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University in Baku. Prof. Chingiz Rahimov, President, AzSOMS, had extended this invitation to Dr. SM Balaji. This was in recognition of his services and contributions towards craniomaxillofacial surgery.
Dr. SM Balaji with Dr. Chingiz Rahimov at the beginning of his introductory talk about the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF)
Dr SM Balaji introduces the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation to the audience
As the authorized representative of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF), Dr. SM Balaji introduced the ICPF to the audience. He spoke about his passion towards the rehabilitation of children born with cleft lip and palate. Dr. SM Balaji also spoke about his extensive involvement with the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation. He described how the organization has touched the lives of patients with cleft lip and palate through its humanitarian surgical missions to poor nations.
Dr SM Balaji explains the mission statement of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation
Dr SM Balaji seated with the audience after his ICPF presentation at Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzSOMS) presentation ceremony
Dr SM Balaji and Dr Chingiz Rahimov with a Tessier’s cleft patient during a break in the presentation ceremony
Dr. SM Balaji’s keynote speech on the Management of Craniofacial Clefts
Dr. SM Balaji delivered the keynote speech on the topic of the Management of Craniofacial Clefts. He described key cases from his over 30 years of experience performing craniofacial surgeries. His keynote speech documented innovations made by him that led to significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients. The interactive Q&A session at the end of his keynote speech was very lively. Audience members asked him many questions on the management of craniofacial clefts. Prof SM Balaji answered all the questions with a depth that only comes from experience.
Dr SM Balaji urged the residents of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to take up a career in treating craniofacial clefts. He said that the satisfaction of rehabilitating a child afflicted with such severe deformities is second to none.
Dr. SM Balaji with other delegates at the conclusion of the ceremony
Dr. SM Balaji’s meeting with the Rector, His Excellency Dr. Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
Dr SM Balaji then met with the Rector of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli. He spent time with the Rector discussing issues pertaining to craniofacial surgical care. The Rector evinced a deep interest in Dr. SM Balaji’s opinions on the subject. Dr. SM Balaji presented the Rector with a copy of his “Clinical Craniomaxillofacial Surgery” book at the end of the meeting.
Dr SM Balaji during his meeting with the Rector of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
– Dr SM Balaji presenting the Rector, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli with a copy of his Clinical Craniomaxillofacial Surgery book
Dr SM Balaji elucidating the salient points of the textbook to the Rector, His Excellency Dr Garay Chingiz Garaybayli
Dr SM Balaji presenting ways to improve Craniomaxillofacial surgical care in the country
Dr SM Balaji with members of the Executive Council of Azerbaycan Tibb Universiteti
Dr SM Balaji chosen to moderate session on pain control in light of his known expertise
Dr SM Balaji chaired and moderated an advanced scientific plenary session the second plenary session that he moderated was on Local Anesthetics and Analgesic Drugs in Dentistry by Dr Monica Daublaender of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany. This highly academic session delved into the details of pain control and the audience was completely engrossed by the presentation.
Dr SM Balaji moderating the scientific session on Local Anesthetics and Analgesic Drugs in Dentistry by Dr Monica Daublaender of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
Dr SM Balaji offers valuable insights on the topic in light of his 30 years surgical experience
The scientific session was greatly enhanced by Dr SM Balaji’s insightful inputs into the topic and he offered some excellent practical tips that would provide optimal pain control for the patient. This is a topic that is of extreme practical value to all dentists and the question and answer session at the end of the session featured a lot of questions from the audience and the presenter and the moderator added great value to the discussions because of their experience as clinicians.
Dr SM Balaji presented Dr. Monica Daublaender with a Certificate of Excellence at the end of her excellent scientific plenary session at the FDI Annual World Dental Conference in Buenos Aires.
Advanced Scientific Plenary session at the FDI World Annual Dental Conference
The scientific sessions at the FDI Conference were full of vigor and energy. They were full of new ideas and innovations. There were many plenary lectures held at this year’s conference in Buenos Aires. The topics were varied and covered all aspects of the vision that FDI has for the future of the field of dentistry.
Dr SM Balaji selected to moderate the Advanced Implantology Scientific session
In light of his excellence in the field of implantology, Dr SM Balaji was chosen to moderate this advanced implantology session. His proven track record of excellent long term results with implants added value to the the proceedings. The discussions proved to be very educational for the audience.
Dr SM Balaji moderating a plenary session at the FDI World Dental Conference in Buenos Aires
Dr Shankar Iyer presents an excellent Advanced Scientific Plenary Session
The presentation on the topic of advanced implantology was by Dr. Shankar Iyer. He is Past President of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Currently , he is Associate Professor, Rutgers University, USA. He delved deep into the topic of implantology dealing with the management of difficult cases. Dr SM Balaji enlivened the sessions with his inputs with deep insight into the field of advanced implantology. The question and answer session with the audience at the end of the plenary session was particularly lively. The camaraderie between Dr SM Balaji and Dr Shankar Iyer was evident as they share the same alma mater.
Dr SM Balaji presented the certificate of excellence to Dr Shankar Iyer for his excellent presentation.
Dr SM Balaji presenting the Certificate of Excellence to Dr Shankar Iyer at the completion of his lecture at the plenary session
