7 of november, from 09h30 until 10h30
Innovation Box
This session marks the presentation of the book “The beginning of Dentistry in Portugal,” a project that aims to reconstruct the founding moments and the evolution of the profession in our country.
The work, which stems from a challenge set by the Portuguese Dental Association, is based on a collection of interviews and bibliographical sources, seeking to preserve and honor the memory of the protagonists who led to the technical and scientific affirmation of the dental arts.
The presentation will focus on the dual challenge that marked the birth of modern dentistry in Portugal. On one hand, the legacy of the pioneers who established the profession on the ground, breaking new ground in a country that lacked oral care and bringing a structured approach to oral health to populations, often far from major centers, for the first time.
On the other hand, the complex institutional construction of the profession will be addressed. The associative challenges, the battles for regulation, and the path toward the affirmation of professional identity will be analyzed, all within an adverse and as-yet-unregulated context.
Featuring interventions from central figures in this process, this session promotes a reflection on the journey taken, from the creation of the first schools to the normalization of the profession, underscoring the decisive role of these testimonies in building this legacy.