Anmol Kalha
BSc, BDS, MDS, Prof
Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Karnataka, India
INDIA
Session 15 · DAY 2 (Nov. 6, 2026) · 10:00–10:30 CET
Sustainability and the Covenant of Trust in Patient Care: Redefining Orthodontics.
Abstract
Orthodontics is undergoing profound metamorphosis. While it is tempting to attribute this shift to technology and the rise of plastics, the true drivers lie closer to social media, advertising, and commercial promises of perfection that reshape both patient perceptions and expectations.
The covenant of trust between orthodontist and patient must be rebuilt, as placing value on the appliance alone—particularly aligners—commodifies the profession and distances it from the fundamentals of evidence-based patient care.
Sustainability is a growing concern. Practices generate substantial biomedical waste, and with several million patients wearing aligners, the resulting volume of non-degradable plastics is overwhelming; micro- and nanoplastics are now detected in human tissue. Metals and other traditional materials have likewise long affected the environment through poor biodegradability. Optimal appliance use depends on cogent, focused diagnosis, requiring a reappraisal of age-centric and individualized treatment planning.
The “crooked tooth” paradigm tends to overlook ageing patient profiles and the rising incidence of autoimmune and chronic non-communicable diseases that alter the fundamentals of orthodontic tooth movement. Less efficient appliances such as aligners demand accurate diagnostics across a broader biomedical canvas to achieve acceptable outcomes. This raises critical questions: do we rely on established appliances or newer treatments with limited evidence? What happens when a patient’s request conflicts with clinically correct treatment—and are compromise plans ethically defensible?
This lecture explores an emerging paradigm embracing individualized treatment plans, realistic outcome perceptions, an understanding of biomedicine and patient profiling, and efficient planning that optimizes appliances while advancing sustainability.
Defining Covenant of trust between the specialty and patients
Value of a focussed and precise diagnosis
Optimal utilization of appliances for sustainable outcomes
Biography
Prof. Anmol S. Kalha is a distinguished academic, clinician, healthcare administrator, and international consultant with four decades of leadership in dentistry and orthodontics. A university gold medallist, he has lectured across 56 countries. His honours include keynote speaker at the International Orthodontic Symposium, Prague (2017); the IOS Oration (2017); the IOS Outstanding Professor Award (2018); the KK Mistry Scroll of Honour (2023); a Lifetime Achievement Award for Military Dentistry; and the Order of the Special Royal Emblem from HM the Sultan of Oman (1986).
He has pioneered Evidence-Based Dentistry, published extensively, and now focuses on AI-driven health analytics.