SmileHub, ClinicalEdge organize hands-on oral surgery symposium for undergraduate dental students

KARACHI: Undergraduate dental students received practical training in essential oral surgery techniques during the Oral Surgery Symposium 2026: Precision in Flap Design & Suturing, a student-led educational initiative designed to strengthen clinical skills through simulation-based learning.

Held on July 15, 2026, at Aga Khan University (AKU), which served as the venue, the symposium was jointly organized by SmileHub and ClinicalEdge to provide participants with early exposure to the practical aspects of oral surgery that complement classroom education.

The workshop brought together 37 participants, predominantly second- and third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students, for an intensive training programme focused on flap design, soft tissue management and surgical suturing.

According to the organizers, the initiative sought to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice by enabling students to develop foundational surgical competencies in a supervised educational environment.

SmileHub, led by Syeda Alina and Bilal Mahmood, is a student-led educational platform that connects dental students with experienced clinicians through workshops, mentorship and clinical skills development initiatives. The symposium was organized in collaboration with ClinicalEdge, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) platform led by Dr. Rooja Yousuf that conducts educational workshops and practical clinical training for healthcare professionals.

The scientific sessions were conducted by Dr. Moazzam Hussain Siddiqui, BDS, FCPS-II (Training) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (DUHS), Lecturer in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Dow International Dental College (DIDC), and Dr. Huzaifa Saeed ul Khair, BDS, FCPS (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), FAOCMF (Switzerland), Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Medicare Hospital and Assistant Professor at Jinnah Medical and Dental College.

The trainers introduced participants to the principles of flap design and soft tissue management, highlighting their importance in achieving predictable surgical outcomes and effective wound healing. Students also received instruction on the identification and proper handling of commonly used surgical instruments and suture needles.

A major component of the symposium focused on hands-on training, where participants practiced needle handling, ergonomic suturing techniques, surgical knot tying, and interrupted and continuous suturing methods using simulation models. The practical exercises were designed to help students develop manual dexterity, improve tissue-handling skills and build confidence before performing similar procedures in clinical settings.

Throughout the workshop, the facilitators combined expert demonstrations with supervised practice sessions, enabling participants to translate theoretical concepts into practical application while reinforcing safe surgical techniques and clinical decision-making.

The organizers said initiatives such as the Oral Surgery Symposium complement formal undergraduate dental education by expanding opportunities for mentorship, practical exposure and competency-based learning. They noted that simulation-based workshops play an increasingly important role in preparing future dentists for routine oral surgical procedures while fostering greater confidence and clinical readiness early in their professional training.