Thursday, 6th August 2026

The Department of Community Dentistry at the Islamic International Dental College (IIDC), Riphah International University, successfully hosted the PADR Pre-Conference Workshop 2026: “AI-Inspired, Research-Driven, Prevention-Focused Dentistry” on 6 August 2026 at the Islamic International Dental College, G-7/4, Islamabad.

Organized as part of the 1st SOD SZABMU International Dental Conference 2026 and the 9th Annual Conference of the Pakistan Association for Dental Research (PADR), IADR Pakistan Section, the workshop brought together dental professionals and learners for an engaging exploration of how artificial intelligence, research, preventive dentistry, and public health perspectives can strengthen contemporary dental practice.

The workshop was organized under the leadership of Dr. Mahrukh Zafar, Workshop Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Dentistry. Dr. Syeda Kashaf Abbas served as Moderator and Workshop Coordinator, contributing to the smooth coordination and interactive learning environment of the workshop.

The academic programme was enriched by the expertise of distinguished guest speakers, Prof. Dr. Rubina Mumtaz and Dr. Juneda Sarfraz, and was facilitated by Dr. Faisal Shafiq Malik, Head of the Department of Community Dentistry, IIDC. The speakers shared valuable perspectives on translating evidence, prevention strategies, and community engagement into meaningful oral-health action.

The workshop featured a diverse range of practical and interactive learning activities covering preventive dentistry, specialty-specific applications of artificial intelligence in dentistry, dental public health, infographic creation using AI tools, research and basic statistics using SPSS, and interactive case-based discussions. These activities provided participants with practical insights into integrating emerging technologies and evidence-informed approaches into different areas of dental practice.

A key focus of the workshop was the meaningful application of artificial intelligence—not simply as a technological innovation, but as a tool to support research, communication, clinical learning, prevention, and population-level oral-health initiatives.

The highly interactive format and practical activities were well received by participants, with the workshop achieving an overall participant rating of 8.9 out of 10. The positive feedback reflects the relevance of the workshop's interdisciplinary approach and its emphasis on translating knowledge into practical action.

The PADR Pre-Conference Workshop 2026 represents a significant step towards fostering a more evidence-informed, prevention-oriented, technology-enabled, and socially responsive approach to dentistry. Through initiatives such as this, Riphah International University continues to promote innovation, research, community engagement, and excellence in dental education and practice.