The Oman Dental Conference and Exhibition 2026 commenced today (Thursday), organized by the Oman Dental Society (ODS) over three days in cooperation with the Ministries of Health, Heritage and Tourism, as well as the Oman Dental College.
Held under the slogan "Advancing Dentistry towards healthier tomorrow," the opening ceremony was patronized by H.E. Dr. Saeed bin Harib Al-Lamki, MOH’s Undersecretary for Health Affairs, with the presence of prominent local, regional, and international figures in the dental field.
The opening program featured several speeches, including remarks by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Azri, Senior Oral Medicine Consultant at Al-Nahda Hospital and Chairman of the ODS Board. Dr. Al-Azri emphasized that the conference stems from the Society’s belief in the importance of continuous professional education and its role in developing professional competencies, as well as improving the quality of oral and dental health services and patient safety.
He further noted that the ODS’s ambition to organize conferences and scientific activities goes beyond mere events, aiming to build sustainable professional movements across all sectors without exception, support scientific research and innovation, and enhance national competencies in developing the profession.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ajmi, Dental Prosthetics Specialist at Muscat Health and Chairman of the Conference Scientific Committee, stated in his speech that the committee was keen to prepare a program that combines scientific evidence and clinical experience, keeping pace with modern developments in various dental specialties. He noted that this offers practitioners, researchers, and students the opportunity to enrich their knowledge, refine their skills, and open new horizons.
Dr. Al-Ajmi pointed out that the broad international representation of participants in the conference provides an opportunity to benefit from diverse experiences and exchange expertise, while strengthening scientific cooperation between institutions, doctors, and researchers. He reiterated the Society's goal for every participant to gain beneficial knowledge and an applicable idea, fostering professional relationships and cooperation that reflect positively on patient safety and the quality of care provided.
The opening ceremony concluded with the honoring of supporting bodies by H.E. the patron of the event, followed by the inauguration of the accompanying exhibition. The exhibition features over (30) local, regional, and international companies and institutions, reflecting the private sector's role in supporting continuous medical education, transferring technology, and encouraging innovation and professional investment. The patron of the event toured the exhibition sections and was briefed on the latest equipment, supplies, and digital technologies in dentistry.
The conference witnesses the participation of approximately (500) practitioners from within the Sultanate of Oman, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and other Arab countries. It includes (75) scientific lectures delivered by local and international experts across various dental specialties.
The conference features (16) specialized workshops for dental practitioners from various health institutions in Oman. These sessions, led by local and international lecturers, cover topics such as digital dentistry and implantology, endodontics, cosmetic restorations, clinical photography, the management of complex medical cases, advanced anesthesia, and more. Additionally, two workshops for dental assistants and laboratory technicians will be held on the final day of the conference.
Furthermore, the conference dedicates a platform for researchers and dental students through the E-poster Competition and the Young Podium research presentation. These initiatives are designed to encourage scientific research and showcase exceptional studies.
The Oman Medical Specialty Board has approved (24) hours of Category "A" credit for the conference, along with (158) hours of work for the same category for the practical workshops for dentists, assistants, and dental technicians.
The conference organizers aim to raise the efficiency of dentists and supporting health cadres, enhance the quality of care and patient safety, encourage scientific research and innovation, and expand local and regional professional movements. The event also seeks to support digital transformation and the exchange of modern technologies, concluding with scientific and professional recommendations that contribute to the development of oral and dental health services in the Sultanate.
It is worth noting that the Oman Dental Conference 2026 serves as a starting point for establishing an integrated platform that brings together education, training, scientific research, innovation, exhibitions, and institutional movements. By focusing on organizing these events and leveraging local expertise in dentistry, the conference supports the development of the health sector and reinforces Oman's position in hosting specialized scientific conferences, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
In a related context, the conference contributes to introducing Omani tourism and cultural landmarks, enhancing conference tourism and exhibitions, and establishing Oman's status as an attractive destination for medical and scientific events.
