Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : PUTRA WORLD TRADE CENTRE,
KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 25/04/91
Tajuk/Title : THE INAUGURATION OF THE
COMMONWEALTH DENTAL ASSOCIATION
On behalf of the Malaysian Government, let me wish for-
eign delegates "Selamat Datang" or welcome to Malaysia. I
am pleased to be present here, at this inauguration of the
Commonwealth Dental Association. I am proud that Malaysia
has been chosen as the venue of this very auspicious occa-
sion and feel honoured to be the Commonwealth Prime Minister
to officiate at this inauguration.
2. Like the medical profession, dental practitioners make
an important contribution towards uplifting the health of
the community. In Malaysia, it is our intention to provide
adequate dental health services to the people. This is in
view of the realization that the well being of the people
are very much dependent on their good health. With the im-
provement in the living standard of the people, demand for
better dental health care will also increase. To meet this
growing demand, it is important that dental practitioners
continually upgrade their professional services and keep
abreast of the latest development in knowledge and technol-
ogy in dentistry.
3. As knowledge in health and dentistry is ever increasing
and changing, the role of this Commonwealth Dental Associ-
ation is particularly significant in the area of continuing
education. In this respect, an association such as this can
provide the right forum for the exchange of information and
experience amongst member countries.
4. In our effort to address the worldwide problems con-
fronting oral health, we must remember that we are dealing
with countries with different needs and different capabili-
ties. For this reason, the objective of the coming together
of the National Dental Associations of Commonwealth coun-
tries in the establishment of this Commonwealth Dental Asso-
ciation must be clearly defined, deliberated upon,
documented and actively pursued.
5. The formation of this association should bring benefit
not only to the more advanced countries with greater influ-
ence, but equally so to the smaller nations striving to
achieve a better standard of oral health for their coun-
tries. The more than one billion population within the mem-
ber countries must ultimately derive some benefit by the
coming together of their National Dental Associations to
form this Commonwealth Dental Association. Otherwise, this
whole effort would not be worthwhile.
6. On this brief note, I now have the pleasure to declare
that the Commonwealth Dental Association be officially inau-
gurated.
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