Festive season brings no cheer to Expodent

The annual event of the oral hygiene sector, Expodent India International’s aim to bring various stakeholders in the dental industry together faced a blow as its timing clashed with Christmas.

Though the footfalls at the event, organised by Association of Dental Industry and Trade of India (ADITI) at Pragati Maidan, increased from 11,500 last year to 13,800 this year, the number of foreign companies and delegates attending the event was low, as most of the companies were from China. In contrast to last year, Expodent India International 2011, organised from December 23-25, had only 17 foreign companies.

The number of stalls also went up to 550 in 2011 from 435 in 2010. "We had to book an extra hall this time to accommodate all the eligible applicants. Last year it was four, while this year number of halls was five," said Dr Praveen Malhotra, Treasurer, ADITI. In 2010, when the event was organised from December 18-20,  30 foreign companies had put up their stalls. The maximum number was from Germany, US and Japan.

"It is not in our hands to decide the dates. The decision depends on the availability of space in Pragati Maidan. Expodents in previous years have been organised at least a week before the festive season, especially Christmas," said Dr Malhotra.

The event attracts dentists, laboratory technicians, heads and principals of dental colleges and traders dealing with dental products and equipments for tests. The main purpose is to provide a platform to them to network and learn about innovations in techniques to treat dental diseases.

"I come to the event every year to learn about new technologies and research in the field of dentistry. Meeting the professors and traders helps building a wider network. I also get to know the latest trends in testing and diseases," said Sunil Babu, physician at a clinic in Rohini.