The landmark 10th Silk Road Dental Academic Conference concluded in Xi’an from September 22 to 24. Co-hosted by 12 stomatological societies, the event was organized by the Stomatological Hospitals of Air Force Military Medical University and Xi’an Jiaotong University.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the conference attracted over 1,000 experts, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to discuss advancements in stomatology. Since its inception in 2016, the conference has expanded to 20 regions in China, becoming the fifth-largest stomatology gathering in the country.

Academician Zhao Yimin opened the conference, which featured 40 sub-venues and 220 sessions, including panel discussions, technical demonstrations, and live surgical broadcasts. To commemorate the milestone, emblems, stamp albums, and mascots “Sisi” and “Lulu” were introduced, promoting academic collaboration among Silk Road regions.

A significant highlight was the launch of the journal Advanced Oral Science (AOS) by the Stomatological Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University. This open-access journal focuses on interdisciplinary research linking oral and general health, filling a gap in high-level international stomatology publications in Northwest China. The editorial board was established with members from prestigious institutions like the National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University, aiming to enhance China’s international profile in oral medicine.

Alongside the conference, the 5th Silk Road Cup International Clinical Skills Competition for Stomatology Students took place, with over 40 dental schools, including Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid, participating. The competition covered skills like CPR with AED and intraoral suturing, fostering young dental talent and advancing global stomatology education.

Keynote speeches and forums on hospital development and Silk Road cooperation were also held, sharing advanced clinical concepts and technologies to improve local dental care in Shaanxi. Embracing the Silk Road’s spirit, the conference has promoted collaborative innovation in stomatology, with future efforts focused on interdisciplinary research and the Healthy China Initiative.