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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.


Prof S M Balaji at the First Live Surgery Symposium of the WPATH in New York City, USA

Prof S M Balaji at the First Live Surgery Symposium of the WPATH in New York City, USA

by | May 14, 2018 | Events

Prof S M Balaji attends WPATH Symposium at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Prof SM Balaji, a registered member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and an experienced facial feminization surgery expert, was invited by the WPATH to attend the first live surgery symposium of the organization, organized at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. This symposium was jointly organized by the WPATH, Global Education Initiative (GEI), the Mount Sinai Health System and the American Society of Gender Surgeons (ASGS).

WPATH rendering yeomen service to Transgender Health

WPATH is a multispecialty organization of healthcare professionals who have made significant investments in their careers towards improving the quality of not just surgical care available to transgender individuals, but also the overall care encompassing the emotional and psychological needs of transgender individuals.

Visionaries leading the WPATH for greater inclusiveness of all genders

The WPATH is an organization that is lead by visionaries with long ranging goals for the organization. Dr. Gail Knudson is the President of the WPATH and Co-Chair of the GEI. She is also the Founder and former President of the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH). Dr. Randi Ettner who is the Secretary of the WPATH, is a clinical and forensic psychologist of international renown. She has been a champion for transgender rights and has served in various committees, which have overseen the reformation of laws pertaining to the rights of transgender people.

First Live Surgery Symposium of the WPATH

The symposium was held over a period of three days with a wide variety of gender affirmation live surgical demonstrations performed by world leading experts. The facial feminization and tracheal shave live surgical demonstration was performed by Dr. Jeff Spiegel who is one of the foremost facial plastic surgery specialists in the world today. Dr. Loren Schechter provided an introduction to transgender surgery at the beginning of the session.

Specialists attending the WPATH First Live Surgery Symposium

Also present at the symposium were Dr. Joshua Safer who is the Executive Director of the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at the Mount Sinai Hospital In New York City, Dr. Daniel Simon who is an eminent maxillofacial surgeon and has medical publications to his name in the field of Facial Feminization Surgery, Dr. Ravinder Jarial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Florida and Dr. Cecile Unger whose live surgical demonstration of Vaginoplasty techniques and Penile Inversion surgery was very well received by the audience. Dr. Mark Courey who is a Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Health System was also present at the course as was Ms. Zil Goldstein who is an assistant professor of Medical Education at the Icahn School of Medicine.

Prof Balaji attends the WPATH as an expert in facial feminization surgery

Prof S M Balaji who is an expert at facial feminization surgery and has performed over 100 such surgeries at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Teynampet, Chennai, met with the various experts and held extensive discussions with them regarding the recent advancements made in the fields related to facial feminization surgery.