It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone, members of the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries, to the 55th Congress of the association in this beautiful season blessed by autumn foliage and clear skies. Furthermore, it is a great honor to hold this congress—organized by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the College of Dentistry of Chosun University—in the brilliant city of Gwangju.

The 55th Congress will be held from November 4th to 6 th—Friday to Sunday—under the theme “Digital Innovation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.” A special lecture related to digital diagnoses and surgeries that have recently been largely developing in the oral and maxillofacial field alongside the digital era; symposia in six fields; as well as in-depth debates and lectures will be held during the congress together with invited distinguished Korean and global scholars. In addition, the precious clinical experiences and research materials of our members will be presented during poster sessions and oral presentations on nine topics. Excellent narrations and poster presentations will be selected to boost the morale of members as well as enable free access for many therapists.

In particular, we plan to invite distinguished speakers of various fields for the special lecture, focusing mainly on the congress’s theme of “Digital Innovation.” Professor Dong-woo Cho of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) will give an interesting lecture on “ 3D Printing Technology and its Biomedical Applications“ and Professor oung Lae Moon of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Chosun University will similarly present a lecture on “VR Elbow Arthroscopy : Basic Surgery Technique, 3 Portals and Anatomy.” In addition, Professor Jae-Boong Choi of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Sungkyungkwan University will talk about the “The 4th Industrial Revolution led by Phono Sapiens” while Professor Won-Ki Jeong of UNIST will discuss “Dictionary learning for biomedical image analysis.

Furthermore, a pre-congress workshop will be held on the morning of the first day of the congress under the themes of “Computer-Aided Surgery” and “How to Make Segmentation.” We are equally preparing a number of diverse programs that would allow you to enjoy and explore the beauty, culture, and generosity of Jeollanam-do Province. All in all, it is my hope that the congress would provide an opportunity for various academic fields to converge and create new practical technology in the field of oral and maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeries in Korea.

Lastly, I take this opportunity to particularly extend my gratitude to President Hee-Kyun Oh for his support to the congress; the directors of the association for the meticulous care they have extended in various ways for the preparation of the congress and international exchanges; as well as Head of Organization Committee, Seong-Yong Moon of the Organizing Committee and its members for their devoted work in developing the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the College of Dentistry of Chosun University. In addition, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the professors and alumni of the department for completing their training and giving their unfailing support to the department, its graduate school, and the association despite the adverse environment.

Su-Gwan Kim
Chairman, 55th Congress of the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries

Esteemed members of the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries,

I am honored and pleased to welcome you to the 55th Congress and General Assembly of our association, being held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center, Gwangju, Korea, from November 4th to 6th, 2016. Organized by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, as the grand autumn festival of our association, we will share the academic achievements.

Recently, the demand and expectations for maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeries have been rapidly growing among patients. In addition, doctors’ associations of plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and dermatology, with which our field overlaps, are trying hard to limit and diminish the scope of our treatment, and to continuously disturb and encroach in our field. Fortunately, the Korean Supreme Court ruled on July 21, 2016, during a Botox treatment case, that dental medicine includes aesthetic treatment of the face, which is great news for us. I believe the court ruled as such in our favor thanks to the noble sacrifices and relentless efforts made by our members. At the same time, it means that our association and members should continue honing our skills and devoting our time to academic endeavors to provide the best treatment to our patients.

At this year’s congress, being held under the theme of “Digital Innovation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,” we will focus on digital techniques that are used to diagnose and treat patients with maxillofacial deformities, from various angles. We have invited distinguished Korean and global experts with abundant knowledge and experience in the fields of tissue engineering, cleft lip and palate, and implant treatments.

I would like to express my gratitude to Congress Chairman, Su-Gwan Kim and Head of Organization Committee, Seong-Yong Moon for having worked hard to successfully hold the congress. In addition, please accept my gratitude to the colleagues of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Chosun University, executives of the association, and organizations that have cooperated for the exhibition. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the invited Korean and global speakers who will give excellent lectures during the congress, as well as members of our association who will make oral and poster presentations. It is, after all, my hope that the well-prepared congress would provide you the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from bonding with other members and discussing the recent advances in the field of maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgical science, away from your busy treatment and research life.

I wish you good health and happiness. Thank you.

President, the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries
Hee-Kyun Oh