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This week, more than 2,000 participants are expected to attend the annual congress of the European Orthodontic Society (EOS) in Venice. Prior to the congress, Dental Tribune Online had the opportunity to talk to Prof. Antonio Maria Miotti, the chair of EOS Venice 2015, about the event that is targeted at dental experts, trainees and junior and senior specialists who are interested in orthodontics. The event has become a major platform for discussions of current trends in dentistry.
Dental Tribune Online: For its 91st annual congress, the EOS returns to Italy for the sixth time. Prof. Miotti, why was Venice chosen as this year’s location, and what does this choice mean to you?
Prof. Antonio Maria Miotti: Venice was chosen by my sister Francesca Ada Miotti, professor and head of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Padua, when she was elected as president of the 2015 EOS congress. Unfortunately, she died in 2013 and I was then chosen to complete her work—although I am a maxillofacial surgeon—as I have been a member of the EOS for more than 30 years, with a major interest in the treatment of skeletally based malocclusions.
The choice of Venice really means a great deal to me, apart from my being born in the Venetian region, first of all because it was my sister’s choice and the congress will be a tribute to her, but also because my father organised a memorable EOS congress as president in Venice in 1992.
The main objective of the EOS is to advance all aspects of orthodontics and its relations with the collateral arts and sciences for public benefit. How important is the annual congress in achieving this overall aim?
The annual EOS congress is one of the main opportunities for orthodontists from all around the world to meet and discuss relevant themes, keep up to date, and get to know or become friends with colleagues from far-away countries. The benefit for the public is obvious, as orthodontic knowledge and new discoveries or results become widespread.
What would you describe as the main focus of the 91st congress, and what topics will be discussed?
Main topics are early or late treatment in orthodontics; the question of whether there is still a need for extractions in orthodontics; scientifically based clinical decisions and justifications for orthodontic treatment; and integrated orthodontic care.
The last two topics are really relevant for public and community health care in any national or regional health system. The first one is particularly useful to decide what kind of treatment should be delivered and when, for example during growth or at the end of it. The second aims to define collaborative paths between different specialties, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, paediatrics, ENT surgery, and so on.
Aside from the scientific programme, what can participants look forward to in Venice?
Venice does not need any introduction and it is one of the cities to visit in the world. The whole lagoon is full of art and history, and a few days will certainly not be enough, but could be a starting point for another visit.
The social programme of the congress is very rich, starting with the opening reception at the grand Palazzo del Cinema, each year home to the annual Venice Film Festival, followed by a buffet supper around the exhibitors’ stands at the Palazzo del Casinò, built in the 1930s.
There will also be the President’s Reception at the beautiful Hotel Excelsior with terraces overlooking the world-renowned Lido di Venezia beach. The impressive hotel was built in the early 1900s and appeared in famous films.
The gala dinner will be held at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, a wonderful palace built in the 13th century containing precious paintings of Jacopo Palma il Giovane, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Jacopo Tintoretto.
Could you please describe the current situation regarding orthodontics in Europe? Which factors have had the most influence over the past several years?
Orthodontics in Europe is a well-defined specialty of dental surgery. In most countries, university postgraduate courses have been developed to improve professional knowledge, ranging from true specialisation degrees to shorter master’s degrees. Also many national societies give their support in organising courses and national congresses.
The development of new materials and technologies over the past several years has greatly improved and to some extent shortened orthodontic treatments. Equally important are studies on growth and tooth movement that are coming out with new findings. Congresses like EOS 2015 in Venice are an effective way to focus and share knowledge in this field from all points of view, epidemiological, experimental, clinical, etc.
One of the topics of the congress, scientifically based clinical decisions and justifications for orthodontic treatment, is a real key issue, as in any other dental or medical surgical subject nowadays. Its ethical and financial implications are evident.
How does the EOS address these trends?
The EOS is one of the oldest dental and medical associations, as it was founded back in 1907 and since then has always driven orthodontic professionals to improve knowledge in their field.
The aim of the EOS is to advance all aspects of orthodontics for public benefit. Apart from organising a major congress each year in a different European nation, with up to 2,000 or more participants, the EOS organises courses and gives a range of important grants and awards, supporting research and fellowships to allow junior researchers to visit research departments. By doing this, the EOS directly influences the development of orthodontics in Europe, if not all over the world.
From http://www.dental-tribune.com
