THE Indo-Canadian Dental Association’s inaugural gala last Saturday at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver was a glamorous black tie event.
The gala celebrated the inception of this non-profit organization, honoured its founding membership along with notable dignitaries in attendance and raised a significant amount of charitable funds for oral cancer prevention program and UBC endowment fund.
The Indo-Canadian Dental Association’s noble mission is to “Promote oral health care in our communities and serve the community at large by raising funds to conquer oral cancer.” This is done through a platform where dental professionals of Indian heritage can come together to connect, socialize and serve greater purposes all the while keeping the richness of the Indian culture alive to pass on to the next generation.
In 2016, the members of Indo-Canadian Dental Association successfully hosted a free oral cancer screening event for the community of Surrey in an effort to detect early stages of cancer and educate the community in cancer prevention. More than 300 patients from local communities signed up and received a free oral cancer screening session in this event.
In the past the Indo-Canadian Dental Association has raised funds to support oral health initiatives in our communities in many other avenues.
The gala was very well attended with over 100 dentists along with their loved ones and notable community leaders. Close to 400 guests were in attendance.
The Indo-Canadian Dental Association welcomed Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, whose speech impressed all those present.
The Indo-Canadian Dental Association welcomed the chief guest of honour Dr. Anil Kohli, former president of the Dental Council of India. Kohli has been the recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in India.
The Indo-Canadian Dental Association also welcomed the Consul General of India, Rajiv Kumar Chander. Chander praised the initiative of the dentists of Indian origin.