The Jamaica Dental Association Global Dental Summit | 57th Annual Convention

The Jamaica Dental Association expresses its gratitude to everyone who attended its 57th Annual Convention from February 10-14, 2021. The event which was rebranded as the JDA Global Dental Summit was held online for the first time. All convention activities including registration and access to CE credits were conducted online. The 285 dental professionals who attended the Convention viewed lectures which were pre-recorded and uploaded to the virtual media platform.

Due to precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision was made to host a virtual event in February 2021. To facilitate the use of the digital media for a virtual learning experience the Jamaica Dental Association procured the services of DentalCast Productions, a USA-based Dental Content Media company known for working with dental professionals.

The 2021 Convention was held under the theme "Learning Pon Di Rock". In colloquial terms, Jamaicans often refer to Jamaica as “the Rock”. Hence, “Learning Pon Di Rock” simply means “Learning in Jamaica”, a reassurance that the 57th Annual Convention would have the same warm Jamaican/Caribbean flavour of previous Dental Conventions, although it was being held virtually.

The Dental Conference offered a selection of 17 Continuing Education Lectures for dental surgeons, hygienists, dental auxiliaries, dental technicians, dental and hygiene students and front office staff. This comprised 15 On-demand lectures and two live hands-on courses. Some participants had access to the Virtual Learning Network for a period of six months, that is, until August 10, 2021.

The 57th Annual Convention was supported through sponsorship by FOSA Surgical Associates as a Platinum Sponsor. Optimum Trading, Dental and Medical Supplies/Air Techniques and Clinical Research Dental/Clinician’s Choice were also sponsors. Twelve companies participated in the Virtual Exhibit Hall.

The Jamaica Dental Association partnered with FOSA Surgical Associates (Platinum Sponsor) to offer sponsored Convention Scholarship to 47 dental and hygiene students from the Mona School of Dentistry, The University of the West Indies; the School of Oral Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica and the Department of Dental Hygiene, Northern Caribbean University.

The Opening Ceremony was pre-recorded with messages from Dr. Oswald Dunn, President, Jamaica Dental Association and Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson-Myers, Global Dental Summit Chairman who introduced the Convention speakers. The video began with Jamaica’s National Anthem and viewers were introduced to aspects of Jamaica’s history and culture.

Live Event "Jamaica Nite" | February 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Jamaica Nite was the only live event held during the Convention and streamed online. It was an entertaining 45-minute mini-concert featuring the popular dancehall group VOICEMAIL and the dance group Dance Xpressionz along with a DJ and Host. Dance Xpressionz introduced the audience to Jamaican dance and music through the years while VoiceMail entertained with popular dancehall songs and dance moves. The audience was invited to wear Jamaican colours and participate in the dancing.

A video presentation entitled “A Glimpse of Jamaica: Food, Land and People” was hosted on the Virtual Learning Platform. Photographs from the book "Nyam Jamaica, A Culinary Tour” by Rosemary Parkinson were used in the video. The Jamaica Dental Association received permission from the author and the availability of the book from Craft Cottage was referenced. The Virtual Learning Platform also featured:

• The National Pledge
• How to Speak Jamaican
• The 2020 Festival Songs (Top Ten including the winner)
• The Music of Bob Marley and Shaggy

Our thanks to all attendees, sponsors and exhibitors for their support of JDA Global Dental Summit.