More effective engagement for a scientific and humane Vietnamese healthcare system

The President remarked that Dentistry is one of the few fields that attracts tens of thousands of international visitors and Vietnamese people living abroad to Vietnam for treatment and examination every year.

Gắn bó hiệu quả hơn nữa vì một nền Y tế Việt Nam khoa học, nhân văn

Overview of the meeting. (Source: VNA)

On the afternoon of August 17th, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong met with professors, doctors, scientists, and leading experts representing the Vietnamese and international fields of dentistry attending the 2023 Dental Science Conference and Exhibition. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan was also present.

At the meeting, the President affirmed that scientific research, technological development, and innovation in the field of healthcare in general, and dentistry in particular, have contributed to bringing Vietnamese medical science closer to the world, bringing economic benefits and profound social significance in many areas.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Cao Binh, Director of the Central Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Hanoi and President of the Vietnam Dental Association, the 2023 Dental Scientific Conference and Exhibition, themed "Dentistry in the New Era," was a great success, attracting thousands of delegates from 23 countries and territories.

Dr. Wong Chi-wai Nelson, President of the Asia-Pacific Dental Federation and President of the Hong Kong Dental Association (China), highly appreciated and congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the 2023 Dental Science Conference and Exhibition. He stated that he will cooperate even more actively with research institutions, training centers, and dental experts in Vietnam in the future.

Dr. Lawrence Yong, President of the Singapore Dental Association, who has trained many Vietnamese dentists and oral surgeons, shared: Young Vietnamese doctors and dentists regularly connect with the global medical community, enthusiastically seek knowledge, are always confident in their own abilities and the country's position; and at the same time nurture a passion for practicing medicine and caring for the health of the people.

Professor Ngo Chi Hien, a Vietnamese-born scientist and former Head of the Faculty of Dentistry at Western University (Australia), has many years of teaching and research experience in the medical field in developed countries. Professor Hien assesses that, at this point, the level of development of dentistry in Vietnam has caught up with other countries in the region. Vietnamese doctors and medical professionals are always eager to contribute to the cause of public health care.

President Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech. (Source: VNA)

Congratulating the success of the 2023 Dental Science Conference and Exhibition, President Vo Van Thuong stated that this event is very significant for the health sector in general and the Vietnamese dental sector in particular.

The President stated that the Vietnamese Party and State have always considered health to be the most precious asset of each citizen and of society as a whole. Protecting, caring for, and improving the health of the people is the duty and responsibility of every citizen, and of the entire political and social system... Vietnam was once recognized by the United Nations as a shining example in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the field of health in 2015 and is currently continuing to successfully implement the sustainable development targets until 2030. The health indicators of the people have improved significantly and are better.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic that struck every country and every healthcare stronghold, the Vietnamese healthcare team made tremendous efforts, overcoming numerous difficulties and hardships, even enduring many sacrifices and losses, to work together with the entire nation to effectively carry out the task of preventing and controlling the disease; in that common effort, the team of doctors and experts in Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery contributed significantly.

Referring to the familiar Vietnamese saying, "Teeth and hair are the cornerstones of a person's appearance," the President emphasized that oral health not only contributes to beauty but is also a crucial part of ensuring overall health, leading to a higher quality and happier life.

Nowadays, with improved material conditions and a higher quality of life, the demand for healthcare and beauty services among Vietnamese people is increasing, and the concern for dental and maxillofacial care is growing.

The President highly appreciated and commended the progress of Vietnam's dental and maxillofacial sector, noting many breakthroughs with the expansion and upgrading of the specialized medical examination and treatment network from the grassroots to the central level. Many hospitals have successfully implemented new, advanced, and modern specialized techniques, on par with the region and the world. This was further confirmed by the assessments of experts at today's meeting. This is a very encouraging sign.

The President remarked that dentistry is one of the few fields that attracts tens of thousands of international visitors and Vietnamese people living abroad to Vietnam for treatment and examination each year. This shows that, on the one hand, reputation, expertise, and techniques are important, but the crucial factor is the price advantage of dental care services in Vietnam, which has become competitive with the region and the world. This is a trend that needs attention and investment in the future and serves as a valuable reference for other specialized medical services.

The President expressed his pleasure that the Vietnam Dental Association has many vibrant international cooperation activities with dental associations in the region and around the world. Many programs, projects, collaborations, and coordinations with dental organizations and international experts have helped expand the care and prevention of oral diseases for children and the community, making a positive contribution to public health care.

In particular, the Association has a humanitarian surgical and care program for children with craniofacial deformities. This program has profound humanitarian significance, creating a good foundation for these children to enter life without carrying feelings of inferiority.

President Vo Van Thuong with delegates. (Source: VNA)

Given that the demand for oral care, examination, and treatment remains very high, but the industry's capacity to meet this demand is still insufficient, the President suggested that in the coming period, the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Medical Association, and relevant ministries and sectors should strive to overcome obstacles related to mechanisms, policies, and professional certification, creating new advancements for the health sector in general and the field of dentistry in particular.

Alongside this, we will continue to promote training, improve the level of in-depth scientific expertise, advanced techniques, and modern, effective management capabilities in healthcare; continue to leverage strengths, expand international cooperation more effectively, and serve as an effective bridge to strengthen the good friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.

Expressing gratitude for the kind sentiments and goodwill cooperation of international scientists, the Asia-Pacific Dental Federation, the World Dental Federation, and national dental associations that have accompanied the Vietnam Dental Association and Vietnamese health, the President hopes that these positive results will continue to be promoted in the future.

"We will work together even more effectively for a scientific, humane Vietnamese healthcare system, for the people and for the friendship, compassion, and progress of all humanity," the President said, adding that this is also a common characteristic in the vocation of doctors, a point of convergence regardless of skin color or nationality, where we are ready to share and cooperate.

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