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about the continuous instruction in Iran |
Interview with Dr.Roberto
Vianna, the chief of International Dentistry Federation about
his attendance in the 50th Congress of Iran’s Dentistry:
Dr Vianna , who is a Brazilian native, received his DDS degree
from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1965. Since
then, he has served for many national and international health
organisations , including the World Health Organization. He
was President of the Latin America Association of Dental
Schools (OFEDOUDUAL) from 1993 to 1995.
Dr Roberto Vianna has been an active leader in organised
dentistry since 1978 when he first attended an FDI congress as
a delegate. He later became Chairman of the Scientific
Programme for the local organising committee when the FDI
Annual World Dental Congress was held in South America for the
first time. According to his own words, back then he never
would have dreamed to be given the responsibility that he will
be given today as he takes over the FDI presidency from Dr
Burton Conrod, Canada.
Dr Roberto the new chief of this federation is going to attend
in the annual 50th international congress of Iran in 2010.
Dr vena says one of his aims of travelling to Iran is the
program of holding the continuous construction terms with the
cooperation of Iran dentistry accosiation (IDA).the chief of
International dentistry federations has signed an agreement
when he visited DR Gaznavi the chief of Iran dentistry society
in Singapore. The following is the interview with Dr vianna:
• What is your purpose of participating in FDI and what are
your 2010 plans for this Federation?
• To promote the FDI among dentists and the community of
professionals dealing with health, strengthening the position
of FDI as a world leader and spokesman of the dental
profession;
• To strengthen and expand the relations with the World Health
Organization regarding the promotion of oral health in a
comprehensive manner;
• To ensure and expand the democratic process at all levels
within the FDI;
• To make sure all the rules and procedures of the FDI are
discussed and ratified by the general assembly;
• To enforce transparency, integrity and freedom throughout
the FDI;
• To strengthen the national dental associations, particularly
in countries with a significant population in need, through a
constant dialogue with the authorities and world leaders;
• To Maintain and expand the development of services and
information for member organizations, regional organizations
and individual members;
• To develop new investment opportunities and applications for
FDI;
• To Strengthen the ties with regional organizations in order
to provide a more global presence of FDI;
• To Increase partnerships with organizations related to the
improvement of working conditions for dental professionals and
ensure a standard of excellence in the teaching of dentistry
around the world
• How much are you familiar with Iranian Dentistry, as one
your members?
What I know of Dentistry in Iran is linked to what I have read
in the literature, being more related to their educational
system. For example, before 1979 there were only 5 dental
schools in Iran, and now that number has quadrupled following
a worldwide trend.
For example in my country, Brazil happened the same except
that in proportionately greater numbers. In 1979 we had 82
dental schools currently are 197. The proportion dentist /
population in Iran is 1 dentist per 5,500 inhabitants, while
in Brazil is 1 dentist for every 1,300 inhabitants, as today
the number of dentists in Brazil is 230,000 individuals. The
profile of dental education in Iran is also much like the
so-called Western world, are 6 years totaling 12 periods, and
the teaching expertise at the postgraduate programs have grown
exponentially.
• Why did you accept Iranian invitation for taking part in
this yearly Congress?
Iran is one of the most important countries of the Middle East
and its international projection has drawn the attention of
all in the previous years. In 2009 Iran announced the launch
of its first satellite developed with national technology. No
doubt it is one made even more important when we consider that
the Iranians have managed to develop a satellite and promote
its launch with a rocket also self-produced, the Safir-2. This
to me is important because it demonstrates a constructive
dynamic in its regional and global context.
Dr. Burton Conrod before me as President of the FDI was in
Iran and when he return to our office showed his satisfaction
with the experience not only professional but also cultural.
Later I had the opportunity to meet with Drs Gholamereza
Ghaznavi Chairman of Iranian Dental Association in Cologne and
later Dr. Kaveh Seyedan President of the Iranian Prosthodotics
Society in Singapore. They made me an invitation to take part
in the 50th International Congress of IDA and these two
gentlemen seemed very dedicated to their associations as well
as serious and progressive leaders of their organizations.
They expect also that the FDI will contribute with them to
promote courses for Continuing Education in Iran, so that they
do not have to go to Dubai or elsewhere. The possibility to
attend the 50th International Congress of IDA and also check
the exchange and establishment of a program of continuing
education sponsored by IDA and FDI was one of the reasons for
me to accept the invitation.
• What are your expectations from this Congress: And what
are your predictions about this trip?
My expectations are more than positive, because I will have
the opportunity to interact with Iranian leaders strengthening
relations between the Iranian Dental Association and the FDI -
World Dental Federation at all levels. Moreover, I will have
the opportunity to meet professors and researchers in the
country connected in various dental specialties such as
Orthodontics, Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Implantology,
among others.
I hope this visit will allow me to relate to the common
Dentists listening to what they think about the FDI and how
they see a future partnership designed to increase the
exchange of professionals and greater collaboration in
Continuing Education.
• Do you have any other plans apart from participating in
this Congress?
To travel is always rewarding! I hope to be in touch with the
experience of meeting one of the oldest cultures of our
planet, since the occupation of the Iranian plateau date of
the sixth century BD Also, visit the museums and tourist sites
to enjoy the daily life of Iranian society and all its
cultural and artistic events.
• What was the most important consequence of Singapore
Congress?
The launch of the FDI World Dental Atlas and the consolidation
of our Program called the Global Caries Initiative seeking to
eradicate dental caries were the most significant events that
can be highlighted.
Also In Singapore I took office as President and then
inaugurated the new premises of the FDI World Dental
Federation in Geneva where in a personal and professional way,
I have sought to perform my duties seeking greater
communication between the member countries, strengthening the
administration with total transparency.
• What are FDI’s plans for Middle East?
To build and develop strategic alliances in collaboration with
all the Dental Associations members of the FDI in The Middle
East aiming to enhance the partnerships and programmes towards
prevention of diseases and improvement of general and oral
health.
Besides that to promote expertise and provide advice regarding
health promotion and to provide and support local continuing
education
• What is the main problem of Dentistry Society? And what
are your solution ways?
The level of education and clinical training necessary to
obtain a degree in dentistry and high academic standard of
dental schools are essential for the preparation of dentists
to practice safe and efficient use of modern dental care.
The areas of implantology, prosthetics and overdentures have
developed significantly, however, preventive dentistry is
gaining more space and prominence in the labor market.
Concentration, good visual memory, manual dexterity and
patience are some of the essential features for such a
profession. Not to mention the responsibility of dealing with
the health of the general public. It is he who performs the
treatment of cavities, channels, extracts, deploys and fixes
the teeth by orthodontic appliances.
This is professional a career whose rise is slower than
average. However, most have their own business. They work
alone or with a staff very small. Professionals who work in
this area will create ways to raise awareness of the need to
take good care of teeth. For this, communication skills and
like to help others are essential.
The WHO report cites the oral diseases as serious public
health problem in relation to periodontal disease, tooth loss
and mouth sores with other chronic diseases such as oral
cancer, and habits such as alcohol and tobacco. The
Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, believes that oral diseases
are "neglected area of international health," despite its
significant impact on quality of life and the economy,
particularly in developing countries.
When you have a professional profile like this the idea of
choosing a profession to make money also attracts many
students to the courses of Dentistry. However in some
countries there is a saturation of work in this area or the
general public cannot afford to pay for the dental treatment.
The low prices paid by health plans and the existing high cost
to build a dental office are other issues to be taken into
consideration , however, the financial aspect should not be
the main reason in choosing the profession. Still, there are
other compelling reasons to choose the profession. Dentistry
can be considered an art. The dentist who values the quality
holds an artwork to carve a tooth, a filling or to make a
dental aesthetically perfect besides promoting the health of
their patients.
• Regarding the fact that so many people are in trouble for
accessing to dental services; what will be your future
programs to make a better situation for poor people?
There are several problems involving health policies and
Dentistry. Personally I believe that all countries should have
an oral health policy for the population. This should occur as
part of government programs and the civil society with the aim
of reducing inequalities and promote a policy of social
inclusion.
This policy must ensure the actions of promotion, prevention
and restoration of oral health, understanding that this is
fundamental to overall health and quality of life itself and
must be articulated with other policies.
For assistance, the guidelines aim primarily to the expansion
and training of primary care, providing access to all age
groups and offer more services, providing care in secondary
and tertiary levels in order to get comprehensive health care,
addition to equity and universal access to actions and public
oral health.
A National Policy on Oral Health has as its main lines of
action, the viability of adding fluoride to water treatment of
public water supply, the reorganization of primary care
(particularly through the Family Health Strategy) and the
Specialized Care (primarily through the deployment of
specialized dental clinics and laboratories of Dental
Prosthesis).
• Have you travelled to Iran before?
Over 44 years of my career I have visited a significant number
of countries in various continents, but had not had a chance
to visit a Iran. I'm sure will live unforgettable days and
bring the best memories to share with my colleagues, children
and family. |
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