European Aligner Society congress updates

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 22. January 2024

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VALENCIA, Spain: The European Aligner Society (EAS) has made several significant announcements ahead of its fifth congress, which is taking place in Valencia in Spain between 29 February and 2 March. The congress has already registered over 1,000 delegates from 69 countries—its largest number to date. The comprehensive three-day programme, featuring 39 speakers, will address the future of clear aligner therapy and digital dentistry. There will be augmented plenary sessions, workshops, AlignerLab Innovations day and AlignerLab Innovation Village, as well as a parallel programme for orthodontic teams. To accommodate demand for last-minute places, the deadline for registration has been extended until 22 February.

EAS has announced that it is creating a legacy fund and will be apportioning €30.00 from every congress registration fee for this purpose, so contributing to the future of the profession and prospective patients, particularly those in developing countries. The money will support a number of projects. A three-year grant worth €10,000 a year will fund the training of a healthcare educator in a low-income country. While training and skills development for disadvantaged communities are crucial, it is equally pivotal to consider ways to fuel a sustainable model which will enable the person to work in his or her community to bring about tangible and sustainable local oral health improvements. A three-year grant worth €10,000 a year will fund research into the next generation of clear aligner therapy. A donation will be made to Operation Smile, which works with local healthcare providers, governments, non-profit organisations and hospitals to deliver the most effective and safe surgical care to cleft lip and palate patients in low-income countries. By creating this sustainable model, Operation Smile empowers long-term training and local long-term care rather than swooping in and moving on. As a result, 78% of the medical volunteer positions on its surgical programmes in 2020 were held by healthcare professionals.

European Board of Aligner Orthodontics’ second board examination to take place at the congress

Building on the success of the first 15 candidates who sat for the first European Board of Aligner Orthodontics (EBAO) examination, EAS has registered 31 clinicians for the clinical master membership of EBAO examination, which will take place on 29 February at the Valencia congress.

There are two pathways to achieving EABO certification in two stages: the EBAO Proficiency Award and the EBAO Clinical Excellence Award. Eight clinicians have submitted the initial two cases for the former, and 21 clinicians have submitted a further three or five cases for the latter. For more information, please visit www.eas-aligners.com/ebao/.

Sustainability

Congress delegates are invited to download the United Nations’ AWorld app (aworld.org), which was developed to encourage living in a more sustainable way in a modern world, with less paper and less plastic. It was created in support of ActNow—the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. The app incentivises people to take sustainable action through everyday habits and actions, which they can log and track. It also provides them with their impact metrics, educational journeys, tips and quizzes and engages them using eye-catching visuals and solutions-oriented content.

EAS is keen to foster more projects which encourage sustainability and is embracing ways to reduce wastage. At the fifth congress, Align Technology will be providing water flasks to all the delegates for refilling at water cooler stations throughout the venue. EAS is also aiming for a paperless event. There will be no printed congress programmes. Instead, all the information will be provided on the event app, and roll-up banners will be fabricated from recyclable materials.

For more information and to register for the congress, please visit www.eas-aligners.com.