“The 30^th edition of AEEDC Dubai marks a defining milestone in its journey”

Dr al-Malik, as the scientific chairman of AEEDC Dubai, you oversee one of the most comprehensive scientific programmes in the dental world. How has the scope and scale of the programme evolved since the early editions?
The scientific programme of AEEDC Dubai has witnessed remarkable growth since the event’s inception in 1996. From the beginning, it has been guided by the leadership of His Excellency Dr Abdulsalam AlMadani, roving ambassador of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean for the Gulf Cooperation Council region and chairman of AEEDC Dubai and the Global Scientific Dental Alliance, together with Dr Tariq Khoory, honorary chairman of AEEDC Dubai and consultant at Dubai Dental Services, which is part of the Dubai Health network.

Our vision has always been clear: to provide a platform that responds to the evolving needs of the dental community and reflects the latest scientific and technological advancements. Each year, we carefully study market trends, review international dental research and engage directly with our participants through surveys to identify the topics and innovations that matter most to them.

This commitment has transformed AEEDC Dubai from a single lecture hall into the world’s largest annual dental scientific gathering. In 2025, the programme featured 163 scientific sessions led by 193 distinguished speakers from around the world, 23 hands-on workshops and 219 poster presentations. Together, the conference and exhibition filled nearly every corner of the Dubai World Trade Centre, turning knowledge into connection and ideas into impact.

Over the years, AEEDC Dubai has continued to expand in both content and influence. What once began as a regional event has grown into a global platform that sets new benchmarks in research, education and professional collaboration. This evolution reflects the dedication of our scientific committees and partners, and the enduring trust placed in AEEDC Dubai attracts the global dental community.

The 30^th anniversary will feature more than 175 global experts across five specialised halls. What can participants expect from the programme in 2026, and how does it reflect the theme of “Education and Innovation Transfer”?
The 30^th edition of AEEDC Dubai marks a defining milestone in its journey. The 2026 programme will unite leading experts and visionary partners from around the world, building on decades of collaboration with distinguished dental associations and universities. Alongside the main scientific sessions, the AEEDC Dubai World Orthodontic Conference and the AEEDC Dubai World Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Conference will offer specialised platforms for in-depth learning and knowledge exchange.

Across its dedicated halls, AEEDC Dubai will embody three decades of scientific progress, innovation and connection. The 30^th anniversary will not only celebrate how far the event has come, but also open a new chapter for global dentistry, one defined by education, collaboration and a shared vision for the future.

At AEEDC Dubai, the scientific programme goes beyond lectures to include side conferences, specialised sessions, hands-on workshops and live demonstrations. How do these formats enrich the main programme, and why is this balance between focused academic content and practical learning so important for participants?
At AEEDC Dubai, we always aim to keep our participants fully engaged. Limiting the scientific programme to lectures alone would not reflect the true spirit of dentistry, which thrives on precision, practice and innovation.

Dental professionals are not only thinkers; they are skilled practitioners who learn best when knowledge is combined with application. That is why AEEDC Dubai complements its main scientific sessions with hands-on workshops, live demonstrations and specialised side conferences. These formats allow participants to deepen their understanding, refine their techniques and exchange expertise with peers who share the same passion. This balance between focused academic content and practical learning ensures that every attendee leaves with both insight and experience, ready to apply these in their own clinical practice.

Considering your experience in both public dental service and private practice in Dubai, how do you see AEEDC Dubai contributing to the advancement of the broader dental ecosystem in the Middle East—especially in research, education and standard setting—in its 30^th edition?
AEEDC Dubai has played an essential role in shaping the dental ecosystem across the region, particularly here in Dubai. Over the years, many visiting dentists who first attended AEEDC Dubai as participants or speakers have gone on to establish their own practices in the city.

This reflects not only the event’s influence as a global gathering for professionals but also the steadfast support of the government of Dubai. The city’s world-class infrastructure, welcoming business climate and strong public engagement with oral health—in terms of both awareness and preventive care—continue to reinforce its standing.

Through its scientific platform, AEEDC Dubai continues to strengthen research, education and standard setting across the region and beyond. The 30^th edition will build on this legacy by promoting knowledge exchange, clinical excellence and sustainable growth within the region’s dental community.

“AEEDC Dubai continues to strengthen research, education and standard setting across the region and beyond.”

Having been part of AEEDC Dubai’s journey, what personal highlights stand out to you from the past three decades, and what are you most looking forward to in the 30^th anniversary edition in 2026?
My experience during the 2007 FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Dubai, organised by FDI World Dental Federation in collaboration with what was the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services and INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, was a defining moment in my professional journey. It shaped my perspective as scientific chairman and taught me valuable lessons that continue to guide me after more than 25 years with AEEDC Dubai.

Throughout these years, I have had the privilege of meeting exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds, both those in dentistry and those in other fields. Each of them left a mark on my path, enriching my experience and broadening my understanding of how far-reaching the impact of this field can be.

As we approach the 30^th anniversary in 2026, I look forward to celebrating not only AEEDC Dubai’s remarkable growth but also the sense of purpose that has guided it from the very beginning. It is an event that continues to advance dentistry, foster collaboration and shape the future of the profession on a truly global scale.