More than 450 professionals from dentistry in Spain and Portugal are gathering today until Saturday, May 16, at the Auditorium of Zaragoza to participate in the 47th Annual Meeting of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SEOP). This event, held for the first time in Aragon, coincides with the 14th Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SPOP) and the 5th Iberian Meeting, establishing itself as the reference forum for children’s oral health care on the Peninsula.
Dr. Beatriz Auría Martín, president of the organizing committee, explained that the main objective of the congress is to «share knowledge with professionals from different specialties and discover advancements in science for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy that make early intervention possible and guide the growth of pediatric patients.»
Throughout the three days, there will be over thirty lectures, workshops, and practical courses, with a special emphasis on new diagnostic and treatment techniques for pediatric patients, functional analysis of children, and the prevention of oral health issues in the early years of life.
Key message for families and pediatricians
One of the central messages of the meeting is the need for early visits. As Dr. Auría emphasized, the first visit to a pediatric dentist should take place before the child turns one year old or, at the latest, when the first tooth erupts. The goal is to correct harmful habits (prolonged pacifier use, thumb sucking, excessive sugar consumption) and to prevent early childhood cavities, a problem that still affects many preschool-aged children.
Highlighted program
The inaugural conference will be delivered by the pediatrician from Zaragoza, Carlos González, president of the Catalan Association for Breastfeeding Promotion, who will speak on the topic of «Sleep in Children» on Thursday, May 14, at 6:45 p.m.
Among the speakers are professionals from the Distinguished College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Aragon, including:
- Andrés Villanueva, who will discuss «Restoration of Young Permanent Teeth Using Adhesive Techniques and Layered Composites.»
- Oliver Valencia, who will address «Endodontic Failure and Loss of Young Permanent Teeth: From Retreatment to Autotransplantation.»
In addition, there will be a solidarity conference on the Tessaout projects in Morocco, featuring Goyi Alonso, Mª Eugenia Guerra, and Elena Lahoz.
On Saturday, May 16, starting at 9:30 a.m., a specific training day for dental hygienists will be offered, reinforcing the message that «the prevention of oral diseases should start in the first months of life.»
Comprehensive view of the pediatric patient
Experts agree that pediatric dentistry goes far beyond treating teeth: it directly influences nutrition, speech development, self-esteem, and sleep patterns in children. Early and multidisciplinary care allows for the preventive detection of problems and educates families on healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
This Iberian congress in Zaragoza highlights the growing interest in pediatric dentistry and the need to strengthen its presence in both public and private sectors.
Iberian pediatric dentistry emerges strengthened from the Aragonese capital with a clear and urgent message for parents, pediatricians, and society in general: caring for children’s mouths from the first tooth is not a luxury, it is a fundamental investment in their health and future development.
