Nearly 400 healthcare professionals whether from academia, government, clinical practice or non-governmental organisations, researchers, policymakers from across Southeast Asia and beyond gathered for the inaugural ASEAN Geriatric Dentistry Conference (AGDC 2025). Held from 14th –16th August 2025 at Balai Ungku Aziz, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, this landmark event marked a significant step forward in regional efforts to improve oral healthcare for ageing populations.
The ASEAN Geriatric Dentistry Conference (AGDC) is the region’s first dedicated platform focused on the unique oral health challenges of ageing populations. Organised by the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia’s premier research university, the conference aimed to spotlight the growing need for specialized dental care for older adults as the region faces a rapid demographic transition. This conference is not only as a platform for knowledge exchange, but as a launching point for new partnerships that can continue well beyond this event.
With the theme “Geriatric Dentistry: Connecting, Collaborating, Co-developing for the Future,” the conference brought together delegates from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, as well as Korea, Japan, Australia, and India, making it the first event of its kind in the ASEAN region.
“This is more than a dental event, it’s a platform for rethinking how we care for older adults across Southeast Asia,” said Professor Dr. Firdaus Hariri, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. “This conference mark beginning of academic exchange, long term regional cooperation and will provide knowledge, inspiration and momentum for all of us to advance geriatric oral healthcare together,” he added.
The conference was officiated by Professor Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Universiti Malaya, who expressed the university’s commitment to leading cross-disciplinary research and innovation in elderly healthcare.
Prof. Yvonne also encourages and supports the efforts of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya taking this proactive approach to lead both nationally and regionally in geriatric dental research and service development as the rising ageing population in Malaysia and across the region demands new ways of thinking, planning and delivering care. Beside medically care, oral health also sometimes overlooked, is a critical part of this equation influencing nutrition, self-esteem, chronic disease risk and overall wellbeing.
Malaysia as a regional leader in ageing and oral health
Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation by 2030, with 15% of its population aged 60 and above. This shift presents new challenges for healthcare systems, particularly in ensuring equitable access to oral healthcare a component often overlooked in elderly care. This conference emphasized the importance of integrating oral health into the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC) 2023–2030, which promotes ageing-in-place, long-term care, and health equity for seniors.
The three-day conference featured interactive workshops, scientific presentations, and cross-disciplinary panels that explored topics such as oral-systemic disease connections in older adults, community-based care and ageing-in-place models, advances in minimally invasive geriatric treatments and policy integration and caregiver training. Participants overwhelmingly echoed the need for stronger collaboration between countries, with a focus on evidence-based strategies and culturally sensitive care.
AGDC 2025 concluded with a shared vision: a region where older adults can age with dignity, supported by integrated healthcare systems that include quality oral care. The Chairman of the AGDC 2025, Associate Professor Dr. Jacob John said, “this conference signals our collective commitment to not only being a centre of excellence in dentistry but also a centre of compassion.” Let this conference be a catalyst for long-term impact for the profession’s, institutions and most importantly for the ageing communities we serve.
A key highlight of the conference was the official launch of the ASEAN Geriatric Dentistry Network (AGDN), a pioneering regional body created to foster collaboration, research, and advocacy in geriatric dentistry. The network aims to promote evidence-based geriatric dental care across ASEAN, share clinical best practices and research findings, support policy development and training, and provide a unified voice to advocate for elderly oral health at regional and global levels. The formation of AGDN marks a bold step toward addressing a shared regional challenge through shared regional solutions.
Looking ahead
Building on the momentum of the inaugural event, organisers proudly announced that the 2nd ASEAN Geriatric Dentistry Conference (AGDC 2026) will be hosted by Universitas Indonesia in Indonesia. This continuation reflects the growing commitment across ASEAN nations to advancing elderly oral health through sustainable collaboration, research, and innovation.
This AGDC 2025 was supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak). It was proudly sponsored by Dentalife Australia and Nissin Dental Products (Japan) as partners of the Geriatric Dentistry Network. Smile-Link Healthcare Global Berhad served as the Diamond Sponsor for the event. Additional sponsorship and support were generously provided by Oral7, Haleon, CTARS Asia, Southern Lion, GC, Rhein83, Aquapick, Shofu, Mr. Bur, Image Works, Expora Nusantara, TePe, ACME, Oral Spa, Pharmaniaga, PharmaAce and Dentist Malaya. Special thanks are also extended to Klinik Pergigian Shiny Kota Kemuning, Dr. Ha Kien Oon, Dr. Neduchelian Vengu and Persatuan Alumni Pergigian Universiti Malaya (MUDA), as esteemed dental alumni, for their valued support of this conference.