The IFDAS Meeting in Yokohama—Another Brilliant Success

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Yokohama, Japan, was the site for the 11th meeting of the International Federation of Dental Anesthesia Societies (IFDAS) on October 4–7, 2006. Held every 3 years at exciting venues around the world, the IFDAS meeting is the focal point for members of dental anesthesia societies to present cutting-edge research and to exchange clinical advances in the area of anxiety and pain control in dentistry. Over 700 attendees from 20 countries participated in this grand event at the massive PacificoYokohama Conference Center in Yokohama, Japan. Professor Yuzuru Kaneko served as the Congress President, Professor Kazuaki Fukushima was the Organizing Chair, and Professor Tatsuya Ichinohe was the General Secretariat. All 3 were supported by countless volunteers who made certain that this large meeting was as well-organized as humanly possible. They all did a fantastic job of making this very complex project run very smoothly. The theme of the congress was “The Essential Role of Dental Anesthesiology in the 21st Century—Safe and Comfortable Dentistry.” Your editor counted 87 lectures and 128 poster presentations related to research and clinical practice of anesthesiology. Selected abstracts from this meeting are published in this issue of Anesthesia Progress and more will follow in subsequent issues. All lectures were simultaneously translated in English and Japanese, which facilitated the exchange of information. Two very special guests were present, the honorable Professor Yasuya Kubota who presided over the third IFDAS meeting in Tokyo in 1982 and Professor Shigeaki Hinohara, a vigorous 95-year-old cardiologist, fitness guru, and best selling author who recently authored books entitled Ikikata Jyozu (Good at Living), Ongaku no Iyashi no Chikara (The Healing Power of Music) and Shin Rojin o Ikiru (Living as a Senior Citizen). The IFDAS prize for the outstanding presentation was awarded to Dr Alexander Babikov from Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry. The Horace Wells Award, the highest award of IFDAS for outstanding service, was presented to Professors Yuzuru Kaneko, Joel Weaver, and John Yagiela. Finally, as the crowning achievement of the meeting, it was announced that because of the efforts of the Japanese Dental Society of Anesthesiology and Professor Kaneko, its tireless leader, the Japanese government had officially recognized anesthesiology as a new dental specialty. The 3 missions of this meeting were met with overwhelming enthusiasm. International visitors became familiar with the state of dental anesthesiology in Japan. The meeting contributed to the global advancement of anesthesiology in dentistry by reconfirming its role in our profession and by strengthening international ties. Finally, it offered an enjoyable international exchange. In addition to its academic missions, the very elegant formal opening and closing ceremonies of the meeting entertained the participants with the beauty, culture, grace, and artful talent that are so unique to Japanese culture. At the end of the meeting, IFDAS President Dr Chris Holden from England handed over the gavel to Professor Kaneko, who will preside over IFDAS for the next 3 years. With the assistance of IFDAS Secretary General Dr Jim Grainger and the next organizing committee chairman, Dr Doug Stewart from Australia, Professor Kaneko will oversee the 2009 IFDAS meeting, which will undoubtedly be equally spectacular. We look forward to the 12th IFDAS meeting on October 14–17, 2009 at the new Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, located at Broadbeach on Queensland's Gold Coast. The beach there is rated as one of the best in the world. You can also take a side trip to Sidney to attend a performance in its magnificent opera house and world-famous zoo, travel the breath-taking “Great Ocean Road” to Adelaide or visit the outback to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise. Your editor has visited all of these sites and can attest that you haven't really lived until you have seen Australia. It is not too early to start making plans to attend the 12th IFDAS meeting in 2009.