29th IAPD Congress

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD), the Dutch Society of Paediatric Dentistry (NVvK) and the Local Organizing Committee, it is a great pleasure to invite you to attend the 29^th IAPD Congress, which will take place in Maastricht, the Netherlands, from June 14-17, 2023.

For a few days, Maastricht will be the Centre of the Paediatric Dental Universe. Make sure you don’t miss out on that!

The main theme of this biannual IAPD congress is “JOINING FORCES IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY”. This theme will be widely explained in a variety of symposia that all deal with major topics in paediatric dentistry like Cariology, Traumatology, Orthodontics, Prevention, Special Care, Lifestyle & Parenting and many more.

Caring for children’s dental health includes working together within different dental disciplines. However, caring for children’s oral health means JOINING FORCES with other areas as well. Paediatric dental caregivers should closely work and communicate together -for example- medical and (psycho)social health workers and specialists, speech therapists, dieticians and, perhaps the most important, parents.

In order to enhance childrens’ oral health, forces should be joined and expertise and experiences should be shared on a multidisciplinary level. This will be experienced throughout all the scientific sessions and we will learn that we are all an essential part of the integrated care that ‘our’ paediatric patients deserve.

Another explanation of the theme “JOINING FORCES” concerns the challenge within paediatric dentistry to unite development, research and education to improve oral care and clinical practice. High quality academic research and education should be well implemented in daily practice; achieving an evidence base for child oral care. Within this field, it is also necessary that leading experts share their knowledge, expertise and passion with upcoming and ambitious colleagues. In Maastricht they will Join their Forces on stage and inspire you with their energy.

Moreover, “JOINING FORCES” is one of the major purposes of the IAPD as well. On a global level, we should learn from each other, listen to each other, share experiences, open our eyes for each other’s values and vulnerabilities and respect each other’s habits and culture. The IAPD congress in Maastricht will be an excellent opportunity to meet your colleagues from all over the world to start conversations, collaborations, listen, learn and JOIN FORCE!

Maastricht was chosen as the ultimate city to host this special congress. With its medieval past and character, it is a very welcoming, warm and peaceful city. It offers you amazing landscapes and countryside, great cultural sights and at the same time also superb culinary hotspots. Maastricht is situated in the south of The Netherlands and thus centrally located in Europe. It is easily accessible and directly connected to various international airports.

We are looking forward to welcome you in 2023 and to JOIN FORCES with YOU, in order to make the 29th IAPD Congress an unforgettable experience for all of us!

See you in Maastricht!

Dr. M.C.M. van Gemert-Schriks
President of the Local Organizing Committee IAPD 2023