The 23rd Penang Dental Congress (PDC) 2026 is currently underway at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre here.
Some 500 delegates from the public and private sector from all over the country are in attendance.
Present to launch the ceremony was Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, former Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Also present was Dr Chong Zhen Feng, President of Malaysian Dental Association, Dr Soh Pei Chin, Organising Chairperson of the 23rd Penang Dental Congress, Dr Yvonne Ng Yee Theng, Chairman of Malaysian Dental Association Northern Zone, Devarut Desai, Expert Lead MSB (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei) Haleon, Alex Hii Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HPA Group, Terry Neoh, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) among others.
In his opening address, Noor Hisham congratulated the organisers on hosting the 23rd Penang Dental Congress.
“With learning, research, and more importantly, exchange ideas on where dentistry is heading. This year’s theme, “Revolutionizing Dentistry: The Power to Transform Tomorrow,” is particularly thought-provoking.
“Healthcare today and tomorrow is going to be transformed, no doubt about that. Basically, pushed forward by artificial intelligence, digital health, robotics, as well as biomedical data.
“Alongside emerging technologies and new discoveries, there is tremendous value in revisiting the established principles and foundational knowledge that form the basis of clinical decision-making,” he said.
He added that every day, medical and dental professionals make decisions based on history-taking, diagnosis, treatment planning, risk assessment, and sound clinical judgment.
“But today, whatever we do must be substantiated by data, science, and facts. In many ways, true progress comes from bringing the two together: respecting what we already know, while remaining open to what we are yet to discover.
“Deisions have to be made at that certain point of time, based on the facts, science and data at that point of time. No decision, or a delayed decision, is already a decision. So therefore, sometimes I think we need to basically make decisions to save lives,” he added.
He also added that many of us sometimes fear making the wrong decision.
” wrong decision is better than no decision at all. Because I think whatever decision that we make must be substantiated with facts, science, and data,” he said.
Noor Hisham later joined hands with other VIP guests to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony and also toured the various booths displaying the latest in the dental industry.
The 23rd Penang Dental Congress is supported by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
