Islamabad ( ) President Dr Arif Alvi urged that the dentists should promote preventive dental care in society as the majority of people in the country cannot afford curative treatment. He said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the International Oral Pathology and Aesthetic Dentistry Conference organized at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. The President first time visited ICCI where he was received by Faad Waheed, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dr. Joharia Azhar, President, Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (PSOMP) Federal Zone.

Dr. Arif Alvi said that as curative dentistry had more financial implications, particularly for a developing country like Pakistan, dentists should think out of the box solutions to promote preventive dentistry. He said that preventive healthcare is more important as curative treatment is costlier and unaffordable for most of the people in Pakistan. He urged the professionals to promote regular brushing of teeth in society that provided almost 99% prevention from oral diseases. He emphasized for broadening the narrow focus of treatment with major stress on preventive care against the oral diseases. He said that the government is making huge investments in medical professionals and they should change their approach towards preventive care in order to provide maximum health benefits to the people.

The president also launched the Pakistan Federation of Laser Dentistry and distributed shields among the organisers and collaborators of the conference.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Faad Waheed, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry apprised the President about the key issues of the business community and hoped that the President would play a role to redress them in order to promote business and investment activities in the country.

Dr Joharia Azhar, President, Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (PSOMP) Federal Zone briefed the participants about the aims and objectives of the Conference and highlighted the need for body of laser dentistry considering the new trends and innovations in the field.