Academic & Scientific Meeting
Our International Trustee for Region 7, Latin America's Ernesto Acuna, organized an outstanding event called "First Latin America Academic & Scientific Meeting," which pretty single-handedly revitalized the image of the PFA in South America. The occasion was the 26th Annual International Dental Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from January 25 through 29, 2008. Trustee Ernesto Acuna, Secretary General Richard Kozal, and Director of the International Dental Congress Dr. Raphael Balducci held a meeting at last year's 2007 MidWinter Meeting in Chicago to firm up arrangements. Dr. Acuna followed this up with another meeting last June 2007 in Mexico City to conclude their agenda of activities.
PFA Fellows gathering
PFA Trustees and Section Chairs
PFA Region 7 Strategic Planning Meeting
Dr. Balducci receiving PFA Award from Trustee Ernesto Acuna
Commencing on January 25 was the Congress Registration and the Opening Ceremony, followed by the PFA Region 7 holding its first Latin American Academic Meeting in conjunction with the 26th Annual International Dental Congress of Sao Paolo (CIOSP), the world's largest dental Congress. This year's registration surpassed 50,000 participants over the five days.
The Latin American PFA event was conceived to be an all-encompassing happening that would give Region 7 Fellows a unique opportunity to come together and network in academic and social settings to discuss PFA problems specific to Latin America. This was a chance to create and implement strategies for the improvement of the Region. The Convention Center was so large you could not see the end of it. Some of the booths were more than 3000 square feet in size. Organizers prepared a dental shopping center in the middle of the convention just to purchase supplies.
Region 7 Chairpersons in attendance were Dr. Norberto Montheil of Argentina, Dr. Alan Zarzar representing Bolivia, Dr. Artur Cerri of Brazil, Dr. Pabla Barrientos of Chile, Dr. Javier Caviedes of Colombia, Dr. Antonieta Swanson of Ecuador, Dr. Ernesto Acuna of Mexico, Dr. Emilio Kegler of Paraguay, Dr. Gilberto Henostroza of Peru, and Dr. Walter Lieber of Uruguay. Also in attendance were Region 3 Trustee Dr. Karyn Stockwell of Georgia and Region 4 Trustee Joseph Harris of Michigan. PFA President-elect Charles Eller of California represented the PFA Executive Committee.
Dr. Armando Hernandez of Mexico presented "Determination in the Risk of Caries." Drs. Allan Zarzar, Pabla Barrientos, and Javier Caviendes from Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia lectured on "The Progress in Endodontics in the XXI Century." Drs. Henestroza and Joubert (Peru and the Dominican Republic) gave a presentation on "The Challenge in Dental Ethics." Dr. Emilio Kegler of Paraguay spoke on "Occlusion and TMJ." Dr. Joseph Harris from Detroit discussed "Mini Implants and the Immediate Loading of a Complete Lower Denture." Dr. Omar Campos of Chile was the Moderator and did his usual excellent job.
The PFA events commenced on Saturday, January 26, with a scientific program including seven hours of lectures that were presented by seven PFA Fellows on a wide variety of cutting edge topics. CIOSP officials were highly impressed with the quality of presentations and expressed a desire to re-invite the Academy for next year's event.
The Congress business section took place on Sunday, January 27.
On Monday January 28, President-elect Charles Eller and Trustee Ernesto Acuna held a strategic planning workshop in which all PFA attendees could participate. Trustee Karyn Stockwell presented her weekend leadership program that she initiated in Georgia. The program ran two hours later than scheduled due to the enthusiasm of the members. Fellows from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela participated.
That evening the first Region 7 International PFA Induction Ceremony was held bringing in more than 50 new Fellows. New Fellows from Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay were inducted into membership at this historic event. The Ceremony was presided over by Dr. Charles Eller, Region 7 Trustee Ernesto Acuna, Dr. Silvio Sergio Cecchetto (President of the Association of Paulista Dental Surgeons), and Dr. Raphael Balducci, the "Godfather of the Brazilian Congress." He received a special honor award for his support of the Academy to insure that this first historic event was a success.
Dr. Balducci has dedicated his life to the improvement of organized dentistry in Brazil, particularly in the sphere of dedicated public service. This historic event provided just the right time and place to help unify our Latin American Academy as well as provide a network with the various PFA leaders to create a concerted directive that drew on the diversity of the region, the exchange of plans and ideas, and encourage guidance of the region for the future. Many thanks are given to Dr. Ernesto Acuna for conceiving the idea and then personally seeing that it came off successfully. Also Dr. Norberto Monthiel of Argentina and Dr. Fernando Omar Campos from Chile ably assisted Dr. Acuna to make this event such the success it was.
The Latin American Congress held its closing Ceremony on Tuesday, January 29.