West-East Conference for the 17th time at MUW

Can the dentist contribute to identifying hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes risk? What is the importance of communication skills in medical practice? What should the prevention of musculoskeletal overload in the medical profession look like? These are just some of the topics addressed at the 17th West-East Conference, which took place on April 26 within the walls of our university.

Combination of dental and medical sciences

The event, which has been organized by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry MUW for almost two decades, has since its inception emphasized modern techniques, solutions and directions in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. And since 2023, it has also been a platform for discussing what is important in other fields including physiotherapy, cardiology and neurology.

The conference also has an international character, allowing the exchange of experience between scientific and clinical centers from around the world. Experts from Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, among others, have acted as speakers. This not only gives a broader perspective on the issues presented, but also a chance to establish inspiring collaborations.

- This year we had the opportunity to listen to speeches by specialists from Pennsylvania, Milan and Birmingham - enumerates Professor Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry - Representatives of our faculty also spoke. I am convinced that all the participants of the conference, regardless of their field of study or profession, found in the program of the event topics of interest to them, deepened their knowledge and learned what challenges are currently facing various fields of medical science. 

Opening of the conference

The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, who welcomed the guests and then asked Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of the university, to speak.

- I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all those who have come to the 17th conference, which is a presentation of scientific achievements regarding dentistry. This year's program includes many issues that go beyond dentistry, but I am convinced that every doctor or dental student will find them very useful - the Rector said.

Prof. Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk also asked Prof. Urszula Demkow, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, to speak. Prof. Demkow thanked Prof. Olczak-Kowalczyk for the invitation and conveyed her support and congratulations from the Ministry of Health.

- For many years, the ministry has worked very closely with dentists. Our Ministry has a Council for the Development of Dentistry, thanks to the work of which this cooperation is going wonderfully, and numerous demands, requests and necessary changes are widely discussed and implemented, also dentists themselves direct the development of their field.

What was on the agenda for the event

During Session I, Prof. Uri Hangorsky of the University of Pennsylvania spoke about the interdisciplinary approach to dental education, using the example of studies conducted at his alma mater. Dr. Matteo Basso of the University of Milan talked about demineralization of enamel and dentin, as well as recognition and management to restore the biofilm and improve overall health.

Session II began with a presentation by Dr. Zehra Yonel of the University of Birmingham. The speaker presented the results of a study conducted by a team of researchers under her direction to develop and external scale validation - for use in dental facilities - to identify individuals at risk for undiagnosed hyperglycemia without diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Next, Lidia Zawadzka-Głos, MD, PhD, from the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, presented an interdisciplinary problem such as sinusitis; Malgorzata Zadurska, MD, PhD, from the Department of Orthodontics, discussed interdisciplinary management of congenital facial malformations, and Janusz Szulik from the INTER POLAND Insurance Company talked about civil liability in the practice of the medical profession.

The third session featured Prof. Kazimierz Szopiński of the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, who talked about his favorite disease, which is periapical bone dysplasia. Anna Hadamus, MD, PhD, Dr. Zbigniew Wroński and Dariusz Białoszewski, MD, PhD, from the Department of Rehabilitation focused on selected ergonomic issues in the medical profession. Dr. Antonina Doroszewska of the Department of Medical Communication, spoke about the importance of communication skills in medical practice, and Joanna Peradzyńska, MD, PhD, of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, presented the "dream team" in respiratory therapy in children.

Co-organizers of the event

The conference was co-organized by the Committee for Dentists and the Prof. Jan Nielubowicz District Medical Chamber in Warsaw as well as the Polish Dental Society. The event was held under the patronage of the Rector of MUW, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong.

 

The conference was attended by: Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, Prof. Piotr Pruszczyk, Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer, Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, Vice Dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Piotr Luliński, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Michal Grąt, Director of the MUW Doctoral School, Prof. Grzegorz Nałęcz-Jawecki, Chairman of the Council for the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Tadeusz Tołłoczko, Rector, Prof. Marek Krawczyk, Rector, Dr. Dariusz Paluszek, Vice President of the District Medical Chamber, Prof. Jerzy Jurkiewicz, President of the Warsaw Medical Society, Jacek Runowski, Director of finance, administration and operations of the Medical Center MUW.