After almost a year and a half of preparation, the inaugural ITI Education Week was held at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. This landmark launch event attracted 30 participants from 9 countries and included 6 live surgeries and 2 hands-on workshops. The focus of the week was: “Future-proofing the digital workflow: Static, dynamic, and robotic.”
We had the privilege of opening the week with an introductory session from Prof. Xudong Wang, Vice President of Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, who welcomed all the participants to the vibrant city of Shanghai. He emphasized the vision of Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital not only as a hub for innovation, but also as a center for collaboration and international exchange. Under the leadership of Prof. Yiqun Wu, course director and Chair of ITI Section China, the event was built on a strong foundation of distinguished speakers from renowned international institutions, including Profs. Nikos Mattheos, James Chow, Kuofeng Hung, Yi Man, Xiaoxiao Cai, and Dr. Shengchi Fan. Their expertise in implant dentistry and related disciplines complemented and synergized with that of our local speakers from Shanghai.
The education sessions covered advanced implant techniques, digital dentistry with an evolution-based introduction ranging from static to dynamic to robotic systems, applied artificial intelligence, prosthetic design implications, and multidisciplinary approaches in implant dentistry. This ensured that attendees left with actionable knowledge to implement in their own practices.
The emphasis on scientific rigor and practical relevance was a hallmark of the event, bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. Our entire team ensured that attendees had access to the latest trends in implantology and the technologies shaping the future of dentistry. Participants were eager to not only familiarize themselves with cutting-edge innovation but also learn about practical applications and how to integrate new technology into their own clinics.
The discussions throughout the week were something to be remembered. Surgeons were actively involved in answering all the attendees’ questions both before and after the live surgeries. Participants were eager to share their opinions and experiences, which led to a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. Interactive team-based case analyses provided participants with the opportunity to collaborate and forge lasting professional relationships. The “Matcha” team was definitely a fan favorite.
One of the highlights of the ITI Education Week was the hands-on workshops, where attendees actively engaged with advanced dental technologies and techniques under the guidance of experts. We offered a full-arch static-guided template workshop, followed by an immersive dynamic navigation workshop. Faculty and technicians assisted throughout, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. In the coming years, we will be adding robotic implant placement workshops, pushing novelty to new heights.
The evening of the first day was synonymous with one of the most memorable events, featuring a Huangpu River Cruise on the picturesque historic Shanghai Bund. Attendees had the opportunity to get to know each other before the week ahead and enjoy the stunning views of the city. We were pleased to hear that several participants arrived early and departed late to take in the city’s sights, experience its local culture, and—most importantly—indulge in its world-renowned cuisine.
Overall, the inaugural ITI Education Week was a resounding success, as reflected in a series of post-event interviews with both speakers and participants. These interviews provided a window into the lasting impressions of the event, with participants praising the high quality of the content, the collaborative spirit of the attendees, and the tangible impact the event had on their professional growth and future application of new technologies.
Speakers were equally enthusiastic, emphasizing how the collaborative exchange of ideas enriched their own understanding of the field and underscored the importance of the ITI Education Week in defining world-class continuing education in implant dentistry. Given its success, the ITI Education Week Shanghai is poised to become a key fixture in the global implant dentistry education calendar, with Shanghai serving as a destination for future events and collaborations.
On behalf of our team at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, we hope to see you in Shanghai for the 2025 event soon!
ITI Education Weeks around the world
A concentrated opportunity to learn from the best clinicians in the field.
ITI Education Weeks are held annually and run for between four to seven days. The focus of each program is determined individually by the institution but all the Education Weeks offer:
- Lecture and discussion sessions
- Participation in treatment planning
- Surgical and prosthetic hands-on sessions
- Live surgical and prosthetic sessions
- University-based continuing education (CE) hours
