Speakers

Professor and Director of the Clinic for Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Digital Dentistry at the Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital in Munich.

Prof. Schwendicke’s research focuses on restorative and preventive dentistry, dental diagnostics and artificial intelligence, health economics, health services research and public health.

He has authored over 600 articles, 250 abstracts and 30 book chapters and has been invited to give over 300 lectures worldwide, including the Buonocore Memorial Lecture.

Prof. Schwendicke has received a number of prestigious awards and is a reviewer for over 40 journals, including the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, as well as for various national funding organisations.

He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Dental Research and heads working groups at the World Health Organisation WHO, the World Dental Organisation FDI, and the International Standards Organisation ISO.

Prof. Schwendicke holds honorary professorships at the Universities of Aarhus (Denmark), Zagreb (Croatia) and Chennai (India).

He has been one of the most cited researchers in dentistry worldwide for several years (Stanford ranking <1%).

Dr. Suliman Shahin graduated top of his class with honors from King Abdulaziz University College of Dentistry in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

He later earned his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) and a Doctorate of Science Degree (DScD) in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, USA.

He subsequently earned a Fellowship in Surgical and Craniofacial Orthodontics from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, USA.

Dr. Shahin is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada in orthodontics and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

He is actively involved in lecturing nationally and internationally on Invisalign treatment.

Dr. Shahin is a Diamond II Invisalign provider and the first Invisalign speaker from the Middle East, and he maintains a practice exclusively dedicated to clear aligner therapy using Invisalign.

He is Vice Dean and Assistant Professor of Orthodontics at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University College of Dentistry, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Orthodontic Society.

His research interests are clear aligner therapy and CBCT superimposition.

Dr. Gilberte Rechdan is a Specialist Prosthodontist with more than 18 years of experience in advanced restorative, aesthetic, and digital dentistry. She completed her DDS and Master’s in Prosthodontics at Saint Joseph University in Beirut and has continued her professional development through international programs in digital workflows, biological dentistry, and clear aligner therapy.

Her clinical expertise spans full-mouth rehabilitations, TMJ management, implant-supported restorations, veneers, crowns, and minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. She integrates functional occlusion, digital planning, and clear aligner therapy to deliver predictable, conservative, and long-lasting results.

Dr. Gilberte holds a Diploma in Clear Aligner Therapy and has been an Invisalign Speaker since 2023, educating GP dentists across the GCC on digital workflows, case selection, and integrating Invisalign into everyday dentistry. She leads study clubs, workshops, and clinical training programs focused on elevating GP confidence and improving orthodontic-restorative outcomes.

Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, she brings a patient-centered, holistic approach to care and a dynamic, practical teaching style to professional audiences.

Dr Shaista Siddiqui is a General, Cosmetic and Family Dentist, clinical educator, and Founder and Medical Director of Hey Dental in Dubai. Her clinical interests include restorative and aesthetic dentistry, minimally invasive care and long-term oral health.

Alongside clinical practice, Dr Siddiqui has a longstanding commitment to postgraduate dental education. She has been involved in postgraduate clinical training and instruction with CAPP MENA and regularly lectures on clinical dentistry, dental research and academic topics, with a focus on translating evidence into practical, patient-centred care.

She also contributes to the profession through advisory-board work, bringing together clinical experience, emerging evidence and contemporary dental practice. A passionate educator and lifelong learner, she is particularly interested in evidence-based dentistry, new technologies and thoughtful clinical decision-making.

Outside dentistry, Shaista has a keen interest in reading, writing, food, travel and exploring the small everyday experiences that contribute to a full and meaningful life.

Dr. Hanadi Sarour earned her Bachelor of Dental Doctor (BDD) degree from Al-Kalamoon University, Damascus, Syria, before pursuing advanced specialty training in orthodontics.

She obtained a Master’s degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics through the European University College in collaboration with Malmö University, Sweden.

Dr. Sarour has accumulated four years of clinical experience as an orthodontist, managing a wide range of cases and developing expertise in contemporary orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and digital orthodontic workflows.

She currently serves as a Clinical Liaison Manager at Align Technology, a role she has held for the past five years. In this position, she partners with leading dental groups and top providers across the Middle East region to drive clinical excellence, accelerate the adoption of digital orthodontic solutions, and promote best practices in clear aligner therapy.

Dr. Laila Al-Farsi is an accomplished dentist and Invisalign clinical expert with over four years of experience at Align Technology, currently serving as an Invisalign Clinical Liaison for the Middle East. Based in Dubai, she specializes in educating and mentoring orthodontists across the GCC region, leading provider certification programs, and driving the adoption of digital orthodontic workflows. She has managed more than 7,000 ClinCheck treatment plans and certified over 500 orthodontists in Invisalign protocols, while regularly delivering study clubs, workshops, webinars, and clinical training programs.

Prior to joining Align, Dr. Al-Farsi practiced dentistry and held leadership roles within major healthcare institutions, including Saudi German Hospital, where she led dental department operations, and Oriana Specialty Hospital, where she managed multidisciplinary clinical teams and healthcare operations. Her expertise spans clinical dentistry, healthcare management, professional education, public speaking, and strategic project implementation.

A graduate of the University of Sharjah with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Dr. Al-Farsi was recognized on the Dean’s List for Academic Excellence multiple times and has contributed to dental research through her publication on child abuse reporting by dentists in the UAE. Fluent in both English and Arabic, she is passionate about advancing orthodontic excellence and empowering healthcare professionals through education and innovation.