SRI LANKA ACADEMY OF AESTHETIC AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

(SLAACD) – A BRIEF OVERVIEW

History

In **2002**, ten dental surgeons formed a small study group to learn and discuss the latest advancements in Dental science. All of them shared a particular interest in **aesthetic dentistry**, which was becoming popular worldwide and branching out as a specialized field. They frequently traveled abroad to attend conferences and workshops related to the topic.

With the vision of spreading this advanced knowledge and the latest trends to their colleagues, for the overall benefit of Dentistry and the people of Sri Lanka, a new organization was formed.

On **May 31st, 2003**, at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo, the **SRI LANKA ACADEMY OF AESTHETIC AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY (SLAACD)** was officially inaugurated. The ceremony was led by Dr. Kanir Bhatia, the then President-elect of the Indian Academy of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry (IAACD).

The core group running all the academy’s activities is called the **Board of Governors**. The board initially consisted of 10 members and has since grown to 24 Governors. All Board of Governors are volunteers who work on an honorary basis to run the Academy.

Aims & Objectives

1. To advance the art and science of aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry for the health and welfare of the public in Sri Lanka.
2. To educate the Public in Sri Lanka of quality dental health care as well as treatments possible in Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry. (Amended April 2008)
3. To encourage postgraduate study and research in the field of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry.
4. To endeavor to bring together outstanding members of the dental profession practicing Aesthetic and Cosmetic dentistry in Sri Lanka for the purpose of fostering the growth and diffusion of knowledge in Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry and to encourage an exchange of good will among members of the profession.
5. To be recognized as the leading authoritative voice on the subject of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry in Sri Lanka. (Amended April 2008)
6. To cultivate and foster cordial relations among those engaged in Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry and other specialties in dentistry and other health professions.
7. To cooperate with dentists and various organizations for the prevention and control of oral disorders.
8. To preserve and elevate the dignity of the profession by enjoining all members to maintain the highest ethical standards and professional conduct.
9. To perpetuate the history of dentistry.
10. To recognize conspicuous service to the profession and provide a method of granting Fellowship in the academy.
11. To encourage and support projects of a humanitarian nature.

Activities

Since its inception, SLAACD has been committed to continuous education and outreach, including the following key activities:

• Conducted **more than one hundred workshops**, bringing resource persons from all around the world.
• Organized **annual scientific sessions every year**, with one year celebrated as the **Decennial year**. These highly successful sessions are a key event for dental professionals in Sri Lanka, seeing increasing trade participation annually.
• Out of ten sessions, eight were held in Colombo and two were conducted as **residential programmes at Bentota**, all bringing in speakers and participants from various parts of the world.
• SLAACD conducts **Reach Out Programmes on De Flurosis** in areas with high ground water Fluoride content, having completed seven such programmes (three in Polonnaruwa, two in Nikaweratiya, one in Monaragala, and the latest in Vavuniya).
• During these outreach programmes, the SLAACD team trains the local dental community on advanced treatment methods through lectures and demonstrations, while also treating many patients.

SLAACD strives to conduct good annual sessions every year by bringing in many specialized speakers from various countries to benefit the local Dental Surgeons.