CE programme
In Person

Dentistry Beyond the Chair - The Leadership Role of Dentists

2026 SADA Dental & Oral Health Congress and Exhibition

Location

Cape Town, South Africa, Africa

Speaker

Dr Dasom Kim

Dasom Kim, DDS, MPH is a dentist and public health professional with a strong interest in global oral health policy, health systems, and international collaboration. She serves in multiple leadership roles within national and international dental organizations and is an elected member of the Membership Liaison and Support Committee of the FDI World Dental Federation.
With a multicultural background shaped by living and working across diverse regions, Dr. Kim brings an intergenerational and cross-cultural perspective to dentistry, connecting people, ideas, and systems to advance equitable and sustainable oral health.

Organizer

South African Dental Association

Abstract :

Dentistry is changing rapidly. Technology, shifting patient expectations, health misinformation, workforce challenges, and increasingly complex health systems are reshaping not only how dentists provide care, but also what it means to be a dental professional.

This interactive presentation explores the evolving role of dentists beyond clinical practice. It examines leadership as an everyday professional skill, clear communication and health literacy, collaboration and trust within dental teams, and the importance of professional associations, governance, and international engagement. It also considers how digital communication, artificial intelligence, and changing patterns of professional participation are influencing the profession.

Rather than suggesting that every dentist must become a policymaker or formal leader, the session asks how dentists can use their experience, expertise, and professional voice to strengthen their teams, their profession, and the wider oral health system.

Learning objectives : 

  • Recognize leadership as an everyday component of dental practice and identify opportunities to lead through communication, collaboration, decision-making, and team relationships, regardless of formal position or title.
  • Apply principles of clear communication and health literacy to improve how dental information, recommendations, risks, and decisions are communicated to patients, colleagues, and the wider public.
  • Explain why professional associations, governance, and international dental organizations matter and describe how participation in these structures can influence professional standards, policy, advocacy, and the future direction of dentistry.
  • Evaluate how emerging technologies, digital communication, and changing patterns of professional engagement are influencing the dental profession and consider how dentists can respond responsibly and constructively.
  • Identify practical ways to contribute beyond individual clinical care, including strengthening dental teams, engaging with professional communities, supporting colleagues, and using the dentist’s professional voice to improve oral health and the profession.

Register here.