Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS) successfully organized a landmark five-day dental mega-event from January 7-11, 2026, in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA). This unprecedented gathering brought together three major components: the Odisha Dental Show, UDAAN (a cultural and academic talent showcase), and the All-India Sports Dental Summit, marking the first integration of dental sciences with sports performance in India and first of its kind in Odisha.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries from across the Indian dental fraternity. The Secretary General of IDA, Dr. Ashok Dhoble, presided over the opening ceremony along with Dr. Jugajyoti Pathi, Director of KIDS; and Dr. Subhra Nandy, President of IDA. Dr. Subash Nayak, Secretary of IDA Odisha State Branch, also participated in the ceremony, along with other distinguished guests from different states of India.
The Odisha Dental Show featured a comprehensive trade exhibition where numerous dental product companies participated and showcased advanced dental instruments and equipment. This exhibition proved to be truly helpful for delegates, providing them direct access to the latest innovations in dental technology, products, and equipment. The trade show component enabled practitioners, students, and researchers to explore cutting-edge solutions and interact with industry representatives, enhancing their knowledge of contemporary dental practice tools and technologies.
The event featured extensive sports competitions with teams participating from multiple states including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat. The teams competed in various disciplines including cricket, football, badminton, table tennis, carrom, and other sporting activities. Participants enjoyed the world-class sports infrastructure of KIIT DU and expressed their appreciation for the vision and leadership of Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta.
During the event, KIDS showcased its extensive outreach activities and social services dedicated to oral cancer awareness and prevention in the state of Odisha. These community engagement initiatives, which demonstrate KIDS’ commitment to public health beyond clinical practice, were highly appreciated by officials from the Indian Dental Association’s head office. The presentation highlighted the institution’s role in addressing critical oral health challenges and its efforts to reach under-served populations across Odisha with preventive care and education programs.
UDAAN featured cultural performances and academic presentations, including paper and poster competitions for dental students and professionals. The event showcased talent, teamwork, and confidence through solo dance, duet dance, and group dance competitions with specified time limits and participant requirements. The summit also brought together academics, industry professionals, sports teams, dental practitioners, faculty from dental colleges, coaches, athletes, and policymakers to build awareness about the necessity of dental professionals in sports teams.
The event concluded with the IDA Odisha Marathon on January 11, 2026, themed “Run for Oral Health,” promoting community awareness about oral healthcare and wellness. This integration of sports activity with dental health advocacy demonstrated the event’s commitment to holistic approaches to oral healthcare education and public engagement.
The successful execution of this multifaceted event established a new benchmark for dental conferences in India, including Odisha, seamlessly integrating clinical education, sports science, cultural expression, and community service under one umbrella. By bringing together dental professionals, athletes, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the nation, KIDS and IDA have pioneered a holistic model that recognizes oral health as integral to athletic excellence and overall well-being.
This landmark summit not only positioned Odisha as a national hub for innovative dental education but also laid the foundation for the emerging field of sports dentistry in India, promising enhanced oral healthcare support for the nation’s athletes and sports professionals.
The event was organized under the able leadership of Dr. Jugajyoti Pathi, Director of Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS).