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.