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12th APEC Scientific Meeting

Mabuhay from the PhilippinesThe Twelfth Asian Pacific Endodontic Confederation Scientific Meeting was held in conjunction with 25th Asian Pacific Dental Conference and with the 95th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Dental Association on April 26, 2003 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila, Philippines.

Every meeting we attend brings with it a special joy. This Convention was no different. We sensed the disappointment of the organizing committee of the Asian Pacific Dental Congress that current world events dramatically overshadowed many aspects of the conference. As the President of the Philippine Dental Association, Luis D. Uy said, "from journals you can gain information, but you can not enjoy the warm camaraderie of the convention". I would especially like to thank the organizing committee coordinated by Edna Jimemna, the Endodontic Society of the Philippines who hosted us so warmly as well as the local members of the APDC and APDF. As we left the conference memories of singing and laughter remain. The fact we promise to maintain our friendship is a testimony to the feeling generated by the Federation. We expressed our thanks at the General Meeting to Dr Ernie Vizcarra for having the foresight to propose and nurture such a Confederation. It is now up to us to continue the work.

To our lecturers; Prof Paul Abbott, Prof Seung Jong Lee, Dr Gerald Kian Chong Lim, Prof Hideaki Suda, aswell as Prof Shimon Friedman who presented by video many thanks for making the meeting so successful. With about 600 attendees, we can be proud of our place in the South East Asian Dental world. This really justifies our position as an affiliate of the APDF.

Dr Phillippe Zimet from Australia moderated the meeting. The opening lecture was by Prof. Paul Abbott (Australia) who spoke on Modern Endodontics-A New Way of Thinking. Prof Abbott emphasized the need to consider the biological aspects of endodontic treatment. Prof Seung-Jong Lee (Korea) followed with a discussion Clinical Application of computer-Aided Rapid Phototyping for Tooth Transplantation. Consideration of a healthy periodontal ligament was emphasized. Dr. Gerald Kian-Chong Lim (Singapore) then discussed Intra-Coronal Bleaching, reviewing causes of tooth discolouration and the different methods available for intra-coronal bleaching. Prof. Hideaki Suda (Japan) then focused our attention on Laser in Endodontics. Reviewing the various ways in which Lasers are used in Endodontics such as pulp testing, treatment of hypersensitive dentine, pulp capping, pulpotomy, root canal disinfection and endodontic surgery. Prof. Shimon Friedman (Canada) presented via video Endodontic Follow-up Studies - Assessment of Treatment Outcome and Influencing Factors. Prof Friedman assessed the treatment outcome studies and how in light of appropriate assessment, we can interpret these studies.

The Ninth Biennial General Meeting held at the Westin Hotel followed the Conference. Issues discussed included:

formalization of affiliation with the Asian Pacific Dental Federation

creating a regional endodontic Journal

the finalization of discussions with Munksgaard regarding the negotiation of reduced subscription rates for members of APEC affiliated organizations

potential changes to the constitution to formalize the concept of succession within the Executive

election of new office Bearers: President - Dr Phillippe Zimet (Australia), Vice President - Dr Gerald Kian Chong Lim(Singapore), Secretary - Prof Hideaki Suda (Japan), Treasurer - Dr Seung Tae Kim (Australia), Immediate Past President - Dr Seung Jong Lee (Korea)

confirmation of our desire to hold the next biennial meeting in Malaysia

expression of thanks to the retiring President Dr Seung Jong Lee (Korea) and retiring Councilors: Dr Paul Abbott (Australia), Dr Chun-Pin Lin (Taiwan), Dr Lip Hean Saw (Malaysia) and Dr Rajiv Chugh.