SINGAPORE: The 13th edition of the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) concluded on April 21, 2024, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, leaving an indelible mark on the dental industry in Asia Pacific. The highly anticipated event witnessed a record-breaking attendance of 8,917 participants from 74 countries and regions, marking a significant 36% increase compared to the previous edition.

Mathias Kuepper, the Managing Director and Vice President of Asia-Pacific at Koelnmesse Pte Ltd., the organizers of IDEM, expressed his elation at the event’s success, stating, “The feedback from the exhibitors and the delegates has been excellent. We will build on what we have achieved this year here at IDEM and continue to emphasize quality, high-level scientific programs, and bring the latest technologies and innovations to future editions of IDEM.”

IDEM 2024 Kicks Off in Singapore

Comprehensive Exhibition and Cutting-Edge Innovations

IDEM 2024 offered a comprehensive platform for dentistry professionals, featuring a sprawling exhibition area of 17,000 square meters showcasing cutting-edge dental innovations and expertise from 500 exhibitors representing 629 brands from 35 countries and regions. The exhibition floor covered various dental specialties, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry.

Among the exhibitors, Formlabs, a brand under Eye-2-Eye Communications Pte Ltd, seized the opportunity to showcase its newly launched Form 4 and Form 4B 3D printers at IDEM. The event served as a launchpad for dental brands in the Asia Pacific region to unveil their latest technologies and products.

The scientific conference program was equally robust, comprising 44 speakers and 42 sessions spanning three concurrent tracks. The most popular session, “SDA Masterclass: The Black, White and Gray of Crack Management,” attracted an impressive 904 delegates, making it the most attended conference session.

Dr. Brina Ho, a dentist at Sunshine Dental, highlighted the event’s significance, saying, “I wanted to see the latest developments in equipment, technology, and information, and I think IDEM was the best place to be. There are a lot of advancements in a short while in the whole industry, and IDEM has brought all of that together.”

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Industry Leaders Laud IDEM’s Success

Exhibitors and attendees alike praised IDEM 2024 for its remarkable success and the opportunities it provided. Maik Walther, President of GC Asia Dental, a Platinum Sponsor, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was the biggest exhibition we had for the overall region, and being here in Singapore, it was an important place for exhibiting our products and most importantly to educate our customers about the importance of our health. For us, IDEM 2024 was the perfect platform to showcase our brand. I’m very happy with the organization and the scope of the events we have here.”

The Innovation Arena featured informative talks by exhibitors, fostering networking and educational opportunities for professionals and aspiring dentists. The Student Programme, themed “Crafting Bright Smiles, Shaping Future Dentists,” provided a platform for dental students to connect with industry leaders and mentors.

Punyisa Pintola, a third-year dental student and the Asia Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA) representative from Thailand, shared her experience, stating, “I attended the IDEM 2024 because I wanted to represent the APDSA organization. However, I felt like this event gave me more than that. I gained valuable experiences and met different companies and professors. I also joined the conference, so it was a great opportunity, especially for a third-year dental student like me.”

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Embracing Sustainability and Digital Transformation

IDEM 2024 also took steps towards reducing its carbon footprint by streamlining its offerings into the IDEM360+ digital platform and introducing Trade Visitors’ e-badges. This move significantly reduced the number of printed materials and enhanced attendee engagement throughout the event. The IDEM360+ platform recorded 2,681 connections made and 106 meetings arranged, highlighting its effectiveness in facilitating networking and collaboration.

Building on the resounding success of IDEM 2024, the organizers are already preparing for the next edition, scheduled for April 17-19, 2026, at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The event promises to deliver even more innovation, education, and collaboration opportunities for the dental industry in the Asia-Pacific region, further solidifying IDEM’s position as the leading dental exhibition and conference in the region.

With its commitment to showcasing the latest advancements, fostering knowledge exchange, and nurturing future talent, IDEM continues to set new benchmarks for dental excellence in Asia Pacific, offering a platform that brings together industry leaders, professionals, and aspiring dentists from around the world.