After a long break, the 11th Southern Dental Conference welcomed approximately 400 dental professionals from across Johor. The conference had been on hold for nearly five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Alex Hong, chairman of the organizing committee, noted that while a smaller-scale conference took place last year, this is the first time they have returned in full force. “This is the first time we have been able to go full force,” he said in an interview.
The three-day event, organized by the Malaysian Dental Association Southern Zone, featured a series of lectures by experts at the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel in Johor Baru. One significant topic discussed was the increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where a person’s airway temporarily collapses during sleep.
“Sleep-related breathing difficulties often occur when the tongue and throat muscles relax too much, leading to interrupted breathing during sleep,” Dr. Hong explained. He emphasized that this condition can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, causing frequent awakenings and preventing restful sleep.
The conference also showcased 40 booths offering dental-related products. While most participants were dentists, nurses and other dental staff also attended. Dr. Hong highlighted that the main goal of the conference was to provide an avenue for knowledge sharing among professionals in the field.
Looking ahead, he mentioned that they may consider opening future events to the public to raise awareness about dental health. Although the association primarily focuses on developing dental professionals, it has also organized community events to promote dental health awareness.
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