Invited as Keynote Speaker and Moderator: Dr SM Balaji was invited to the 71st Indian Dental Conference organized by the Indian Dental Association-Odisha State Branch in Bhubaneswar, Odisha to deliver a keynote speech as well as to serve as moderator for a scientific session. The theme of the conference was “Accelerating Innovation and Fostering Advances.” Dr. S.M. Balaji meets the Chief Minister of Odisha The Guest of Honour, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Hon’ble Shri. Navin Patnaik inaugurated the conference at a grand ceremony. Dr. Balaji spoke with the Chief Minister regarding initiatives for increasing awareness about oral health in the state.             Moderator for Scientific Session at the Bhubaneswar Conference: Dr. Balaji and Dr. Suresh Meshram then chaired a scientific session that featured Dr. Sandesh Mayekar, India and Dr. Yong Seok Cho, Korea, Dr. Mayekar spoke about “Functional Smile Designing” and Dr. Cho spoke about “Management of Sinus Membrane Perforation.” Dr. Balaji and Dr. Meshram presented the speakers with Certificates of Appreciation at the end of their sessions. Prof. S.M.Balaji’s Keynote Speech: In his keynote speech at the conference, Dr. Balaji spoke about “Principles and Practice of Vertical Alveolar Ridge Augmentation by Grafting.” Dr. Balaji’s session was chaired by Dr. Satish Bhardwaj and another eminent co-chairman. The moderators for the session presented Dr. Balaji with a Certificate of Appreciation at the end of his keynote speech. A Meeting with Dr. Moule from Australia at the Conference: Dr. S.M. Balaji met with Dr. Alexander Moule of Australia at the conclusion of the conference. Dr. Moule was also a featured keynote speaker at the conference. Dr. Balaji spent some time with Dr. Moule relating the steps being taken to increase awareness about the ill effects of tobacco on the human body in general and the oral cavity in particular among the rural youth in India.

Dr SM Balaji Invited to be the Chief Guest: Prof. S.M. Balaji was invited as Chief Guest to the SRM Institute of Health Sciences, Kattankulathur, by Prof. N. Sethuraman, Registrar, SRM University and Dr. N. Chandra Prabha, Director of Health Sciences, SRM University to deliver an orientation talk to both fresher and senior medical and dental students alike about how to conduct oneself with each other in college. Welcoming the Chief Guest to the SRM Institute of Health Sciences campus: Upon arrival at the SRM Institute of Health Sciences campus, he was warmly welcomed by Prof. N. Vivek, Dean and Head of the Department, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, SRM Dental College, Kattankulathur. Upon commencement of the function, Dr. Chandra Prabha greeted Prof. Balaji with a bouquet of flowers and Prof. Sethuraman honored Dr. Balaji with a shawl to mark the occasion. The Student Orientation Talk by Dr SM Balaji: Dr SM Balaji addressed the gathering in his usual lucid and descriptive speaking style, connecting very easily with the audience. He made the audience of predominantly medical and dental students understand how crucial this period of life was to them in germinating the seed that would develop into a career for them. He explained how their behavior in this very crucial stage in life could either make or break their future. He said that the basis of interactions between senior students and the freshers should always be based on respect and wholehearted acceptance, stressing that friendships formed in this period would last a lifetime. He talked about his student days and how much of an impact it has had in making him the success he is today. He humorously related how he met some of his closest friends when they first joined college as his juniors. He added that college days are special in everyone’s life and how college days impact our life well into the future. From the Viewpoint of the Parents of the Students: He then spoke to the students from the point of view of their parents and the difficulties parents undergo in order to ensure that their children have a good education. He said that it was the duty of the students to realize their parents’ dreams for them and to ensure that the sacrifices made by their parents are not wasted. He said that their behavior in college should be exemplary and they should remain focused on academics during the entire period. He congratulated them and said that dentistry as a career choice was a very wise decision and this should be used as a foundation by them to build a good future for themselves. He said that dedication and hard work could make one rise to great heights in this field. He said that they needed to set goals for themselves at this stage of life itself and then work hard on achieving them. He said that indulging oneself in unwanted frivolous activities at this stage could endanger their entire future. Advice to the Students: Prof. Balaji concluded his speech by stating that the students should utilize this very vital period of their lives fruitfully by learning about hard work, perseverance, acceptance of others and ability to remain focused, which are all qualities that would help them do well in life.

Continuing Dental Education program at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Teynampet, Chennai, was the venue of an international continuing dental education program on gold fold restorations on February 25, 2018. The theme of the CDE program was “Back to Golden Times” Direct Gold Foil Restorations- Faculty headed by American expertise: Gold is the world’s oldest filling material, but is labor intensive. The head of faculty conducting the CDE program was Dr. Alfred Wendell Holtz, past president, American Academy of Gold Foil Operators. Dr. Foltz has received many accolades over the course of a distinguished career including the “Commissioned Officer Award for Superior Service” by the USA Public Health Services and the “Clinician of the Year Award” by the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators. The CDE program was held in the hospital’s state-of-art 200-seater conference hall. It was jointly organized by the International College of Dentists-India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka section, Indian Academy of Gold Foil Operators (IAGFO), which is a division of the American Association of Gold Foil Operators, and IDA Madras Branch. Keynote Lectures at the Program: Dr. Foltz delivered the keynote lecture on direct gold foil restorations in the morning session. Other lectures in the morning session included lectures on incorporating gold into clinical practice, pulpal reactions to gold restorations, cast gold restorations, etc. The post lunch session featured table demonstrations of direct gold fillings with many of the participants expressing intent to pursue a career in gold restorations after participating in this hands-on program. All the participants in the program received certificates. Dr. Balaji’s Continuing Passion to Enable Continuing Dental Education Programs: Dr. S. M. Balaji, founder-director of Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, is a firm supporter of CDE programs and has been instrumental in the hospital playing host to many such CDE programs on a regular basis. He expressed the firm belief that such programs enable both academicians and practicing dentists keep abreast with the latest technical advances being made around the world.