Interview: ‘In 2027, we want to raise the benchmark even further’: Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma

Pre-conference workshops will take place on 22 April, followed by the main scientific programme from 23 to 25 April at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi.

The organisers are planning international keynote presentations, live surgeries, hands-on workshops, paper and poster presentations and a major industry exhibition, building on the experience of the previous Global AAID and WCOI meeting held in 2024.

Ahead of the congress, Dental Tribune spoke with Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and Dr Brij Sabherwal, Organising Secretary, about the ambitions for 2027, the growing international character of the meeting and what delegates can expect in New Delhi.

Prof. Verma, the Global AAID and WCOI conference returns to New Delhi in 2027. What is the larger vision behind this edition?

Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma:
Over the years, WCOI has developed into much more than an individual scientific meeting. Our aspiration is to make it a platform for global excellence in implant dentistry—one that brings together clinicians, educators, researchers and industry representatives from different parts of the world.

The 2024 congress set a very high benchmark for us in both science and organisation. For 2027, our objective is to go further, with greater international participation, contemporary scientific content and the kind of hospitality for which India is known.

We want the meeting to create genuine opportunities for learning, interaction and professional collaboration.

 

What did the 2024 conference teach the organising team?

Prof. Verma:
One of the strongest lessons was the importance of creating an environment in which scientific exchange and professional interaction happen simultaneously.

The feedback we received after the 2024 conference was extremely encouraging. Speakers and industry participants particularly appreciated the organisation, the scientific discussions and the opportunities for international interaction.

That experience gives us a strong foundation, but it also raises expectations for 2027.

 

Dr Ssabherwal, what will delegates experience when they arrive in New Delhi in April 2027?

Dr Brij Sabherwal:
The programme begins with pre-conference workshops on 22 April, followed by the main conference from 23 to 25 April 2027.

Scientifically, we are planning a broad combination of formats, including international keynote presentations, live surgeries, hands-on workshops and paper and poster presentations. The conference will also incorporate the 3rd Asian Hard and Soft Tissue Symposium, giving delegates additional exposure to topics related to implant dentistry and tissue management.

The objective is not simply to have several lectures running across three days. We want delegates to learn in different ways—from listening to international experts to observing clinical procedures and participating in practical educational formats.

 

Implant dentistry conferences are becoming increasingly numerous. What do you hope will distinguish this meeting?

Prof. Verma:
Its international character will certainly be important. Bringing clinicians and experts from different countries together allows participants to compare approaches, discuss clinical challenges and understand how implant dentistry is evolving globally.

At the same time, we want the congress to remain strongly connected to the realities of everyday clinical practice. Science is most valuable when clinicians can understand how developments translate into better decision-making and patient care.

The combination of international perspectives, clinical education, practical learning and professional interaction is therefore central to what we are trying to create.

 

Hard- and soft-tissue management has become increasingly important to contemporary implant therapy. Why is the Asian Hard and Soft Tissue Symposium being incorporated into the meeting?

Dr Sabherwal:
Hard- and soft-tissue considerations are closely linked to implant treatment, and bringing the 3rd Asian Hard and Soft Tissue Symposium together with the Global AAID and WCOI conference allows these subjects to become part of a wider implant dentistry discussion.

It also gives delegates an opportunity to move beyond a narrow focus on implant placement and engage with a broader spectrum of clinical concepts within the same meeting.

 

The conference materials also place considerable emphasis on the trade exhibition. How do you see the role of industry within the congress?

Dr Sabherwal:
Technology and implant dentistry are closely connected. The trade exhibition gives delegates an opportunity to see new products, technologies, and solutions alongside the scientific programme.

We are planning a major trade exhibition at the conference venue itself, and we expect more than 1,500 delegates from India and overseas. Having the exhibition within The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel should make interaction between delegates and participating companies much easier throughout the meeting.

For industry partners, it also creates an opportunity to engage directly with a concentrated professional audience from the implant dentistry community.

 

Why was The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel selected as the venue?

Dr Sabherwal:
One advantage is that the venue combines convention infrastructure and five-star hospitality under one roof.

This is particularly useful for a large international meeting because delegates, speakers, scientific activities and the trade exhibition can remain closely connected.

We believe that this creates a better overall conference experience and facilitates interaction outside the formal scientific sessions as well.

 

How important is international participation to the identity of the congress?

Prof. Verma:
It is fundamental. Implant dentistry has become an increasingly global discipline. Progress does not happen in isolation, and meetings such as this allow clinicians to exchange ideas across geographical and institutional boundaries.

We therefore want 2027 to have even stronger international participation.

Our aim is to create an environment in which Indian clinicians can interact directly with colleagues and experts from around the world, while international participants can also experience the depth and development of implant dentistry in India.

 

Registrations are already open. What should prospective delegates know at this stage?

Dr Sabherwal:
Registrations and trade bookings have opened, and delegates who register by 30 September 2026 can avail themselves of the early registration rates.

Different registration categories are available for Indian and international delegates, students, AAID Maxicourse alumni and AAID/WCOI members. Registration-and-accommodation packages are also available for both Indian and international participants.

The important message at this stage is that planning has begun well in advance, and we encourage colleagues interested in attending to register early.

 

Dental Tribune: Finally, Prof. Verma, what would you say to a clinician considering whether to attend the 2027 congress?

Prof. Verma:
I would invite them to see this not simply as another conference, but as an opportunity to become part of a large international gathering centred on implant dentistry.

Our goal is to bring together high-quality science, international participation, clinical learning, innovation and professional collaboration in New Delhi.

The 2024 meeting gave us confidence in what we can achieve. In 2027, we intend to raise that benchmark further.

We look forward to welcoming the global implant dentistry community to India.

Conference at a glance

7th Global AAID & 13th WCOI Conference 2027
3rd Asian Hard and Soft Tissue Symposium

Pre-conference workshops: 22 April 2027

Main conference: 23–25 April 2027

Venue: The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, New Delhi, India

Early registration deadline: 30 September 2026

Website: www.aaidwcoi2027.com

Topics: