Q&A: Dr. Valery Virata on the Endodontic Society of the Philippines’ Biennial Convention

On July 14, endodontists, dentists and students gathered in Ortigas Center, Philippines for the Endodontic Society of the Philippines' (ESP) 22nd biennial convention. Titled "Strategies in Endodontics: Innovations and Solutions," the convention featured four AAE members, including Past President Dr. Stefan I. Zweig, who presented on “Decision Making in Modern Clinical Endodontics: The Viability of Saving the Natural Dentition.” He shared the stage with fellow AAE members Drs. Samuel Dorn, William Ha, and Allen Ali Nasseh, who each presented on a variety of topics and shared their expertise.

AAE spoke with Dr. Valery Virata, ESP's International Relations Officer, about the biennial meeting and its meaningful relationship with the AAE:

AAE: What is your involvement with the Endodontic Society of the Philippines? What was your role at this biennial convention? 

Dr. Valery Virata: I have been appointed to be the International Relations Officer of the ESP since 2017 up to the present...it is like I represent the ESP President in international meetings, especially AAE meetings. I try to help the ESP look for speakers and they usually want AAE speakers, which was why I correspond with AAE speakers and if possible, ask AAE's help in sponsoring the said speakers.

AAE: About how many people attended the convention this year? 

VV: There were about 200 plus attendees present this year.

AAE: How were these four speakers and topics chosen for this year’s convention?

The speakers were chosen because, first and foremost, they are members of the American Association of Endodontists, and we have a close relationship with them. They are all academicians and clinicians at the same time. So, the incoming President Dr. Dey speaks the same language as the lecturers and has the same missions and visions regarding the field of Endodontics. The topics were chosen according to their field of expertise. They should be relevant and factual and should be about new approaches and techniques, novel materials that will provide information and guidance to the attendees.

AAE: It brings us great joy to see that all four speakers were AAE members, including Past President Stefan I. Zweig! Can you share any takeaways from Dr. Zweig’s lecture, “Decision Making in Modern Clinical Endodontics: The Viability of Saving the Natural Dentition”?

VV: The main takeaway from his lecture was that a clinician should use his/her clinical judgment in deciding whether to save a natural tooth or not.

AAE: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the convention or Dr. Zweig’s role? 

VV: The ESP had 5 founders who were AAE members. They founded the ESP based on how AAE was founded, in 1982. Because of this, the ESP wants to have a close relationship with the AAE. The General Chair of this convention, who was also the Incoming ESP President, wanted Dr. Zweig to be her Inducting Officer and told me to inform Dr. Zweig about this. Therefore Dr. Zweig was not only one of the speakers of the meeting but also had a role as an Inducting Officer who helped install the new ESP President on Sunday. I was told by the ESP that this was the first time in their history that an AAE Past President helped install an ESP President. I think this probably made the relationship between AAE and ESP closer.