Section of Defense Forces Dental Services

Defense Forces Dental Services provides a global forum for the exchange of ideas, innovations and concepts relevant to dentistry in the defense forces.

Executive Committee

Chair
CAPT (N) Nanda van de Kraats-van Klink
Netherlands
Vice-Chair
COL Stephen J. Tanner
United States of America
Secretary
COL Jefri Razak
Brunei Darussalam
Treasurer
COL Genevieve Bussiere
Canada
Executive Officer
COL Catherine Prineas
Australia
Africa representative
MAJ Dr Ibrahima Badji
Senegal
South America Representative
COM (S) Luis Felipe Jimenez Squella
Chile
Asia Representative
LT GEN Vineet Sharma
India
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SDFDS - Istanbul meeting 2024

SDFDS ANNUAL MEETING 2024

The Annual Meeting of the SDFDS was held in Istanbul, Turkiye from 09 to 12 September 2024 prior to the FDI Annual World Dental Congress. A Welcome Reception was held on 09 September 2023 at the Ahali Tesvikiye Restaurant in Istanbul where 61 delegates and accompanying persons from 21 countries were welcomed by Chair of the SDFDS Executive Committee, Capt (Navy) Nanda van de Kraats-van Klink from the Netherlands.

The Scientific Programme was held over two days at the Istanbul Congress Center. A total of 24 presentations were delivered across 5 themed-sessions, namely; Innovations in Military Dentistry, Strategising Service Delivery, Ensuring Operational Readiness, Optimising Clinical Care and Operational Military Dentistry. An open discussion forum on the contemporary topic of ‘Incorporating Digital Dentistry into Military Dentistry’ saw active engagement by many participants eager to share their experiences and learning for the benefit of all. A presentation and product display was held by Aseptico USA as sole sponsor for the meeting, showcasing their latest deployable dental equipment.

During the Cultural Day, delegates took a Ferry Cruise on the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi, a charming fishing village on Asian Shore. After a traditional seafood lunch, delegates hiked to the hilltop of the Byzantine Yoros Castle ruins and were rewarded with spectacular views of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. The day ended with a tour of the Spice Bazaar and the Blue Mosque in Sultan Ahmet Square.

The SDFDS Executive Committee extends their deepest appreciation to all the delegates for attending the meeting and those that had contributed in making the event such a fruitful and memorable success! The meeting ended with a presentation by representatives of PLA China as the next host nation, followed by the Closing Ceremony. We look forward to meeting everyone again at SDFDS 2025 in Xi’an China!