The APDF invites international and local researchers in the field of dental sciences to present their papers at the 32^nd   Asia Pacific Dental Congress, scheduled to be held from 12^th to 16^th May 2010. The theme of the Congress is "Clinical Excellence in Dentistry through Knowledge, Evidence and Technology ".  Abstracts for presentations should follow the format given below and should reach congress secretariat on or before the dead line and late submissions will not be entertained.

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 15^th February, 2010

Abstract Submission Guidelines
Instructions to Authors

1. A participant is permitted to submit one abstract and present one paper in oral or poster presentation. (Presenters may appear as co-authors on other abstracts).
2. Receipt of abstracts will be acknowledged within 10 days by return email or fax. If no confirmation of receipt is received in 10 days, please re-submit the abstract. Notification of acceptance of oral presentation or poster display will be informed by 25 ^th February 2010.
3. Abstracts must be submitted with the Registration form with relevant payment (or a photocopy of official receipt indicating prior successful registration). If registration fee of the presenting author is not received by 15 ^th February 2010, the submitted abstract is assumed to have been withdrawn.
4. Abstracts must be submitted in ENGLISH on the Abstract Form (original or downloadable format on the www.apdc2010.com). Photocopies or facsimile transmissions are not acceptable.
5. Abstract should report on work that has NOT been previously published.

Please submit your abstract by one of the following methods

By Mail — Abstracts must be printed on abstract submission form and submitted with PC compatible CD in MS-Word.doc format to the following address:
APDC 2010 Congress Secretariat:
Sri Lanka Dental Association
275/75. Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 11 2595147

By Email — Please send the completed abstract form to contact@slda.lk or slda@sltnet.lk

Abstract Format

1. Type abstract wholly within the box frame provided (Length of paper should not exceed 300 words)
2. Type in 10 point size Times New Roman font, with single-line spacing in the boxes provided;
3. The title should be informative and as specific as possible. The title should be in capitals and at the top of the abstract. The length of the title must not exceed 170 characters;
4. Type name(s) of author(s) with initials first (e.g. R.D. Jayasinghe). Use sentence case but do not use any full stops / periods and do not italicize. Add * at the end of the name of the presenting author (which should be identical with the name as entered on the Registration Form), even if there is only one author. The presenting author's name should be followed by name of institution.
5. The discussion abstract should be informative, including the objectives, methods, results and conclusions. Uninformative statements such as 'results will be discussed' should be avoided.
6. Tables, figures and graphs are permitted, but within the space allocated and they must be of high clarity print.
7. Do not use double spaces at the end of sentences; do not add lines of space between paragraphs.
8. Define abbreviations at their first mention. Spell out numbers less than 10, unless followed by units of measurement. Special or unusual abbreviations must be placed in parentheses after the first use of the abbreviation.
9. Do not erase. Remember the abstract will appear in print exactly the way you submit. Any erasure, smudge, error or misspelling will be glaringly apparent in the published abstracts;
10. Failure to comply with these requirements will exclude the abstract from consideration.

Regulations on Presentations
Participation

Submission of a paper carries with it the obligation to present the paper at the time and in the mode indicated.

Failure to Present

Presenters who fail to present accepted papers may not submit for the next APDC meeting, unless acceptable explanations are provided to the Secretariat in writing prior to the commencement of the meeting (do not notify the session chair). Lack of institutional or grant travel funding is not an acceptable explanation. Upon printing of the program by 1^st March 2010, your paper cannot be withdrawn.

Registration

All presenters must register for the Congress and pay the appropriate registration fee.

Presentation

1. You must be knowledgeable in your subject and answer questions during your presentation.
2. If you are both a symposium speaker and a presenter at this meeting, do not repeat symposium material in your individual presentation.
3. Presenters are suggested to have copies of their presentation available as handouts to increase the impact of the presentation.

Guidelines for Oral Presentations

1. You have 10 minutes for your presentation, followed by discussion; it is advisable to rehearse your presentation prior to the meeting to ascertain that the time is not exceeded.
2. Cover the same material as reported in the abstract.
3. Give an opening statement to acquaint the audience with the nature and purpose of the study. Briefly describe procedures and materials. Use generic names throughout. All compounds and drugs must be identified. Allocate most of the presentation time to the results of the study, state the results simply and clearly so that significant facts can be readily identified. Conclude the presentation with a brief summary of the essential results you believe were demonstrated by the experimental data.
4. To save time, you are advised to arrive 30 minutes before your session. Time to load your presentation file into the computer will be provided.
5. Computer with standard Microsoft software will be provided. If you bring your own computer for your presentation, please note that the time for connecting and disconnecting your computer will be included in your 10 minute presentation time.

Facilities for Oral Presentations
Each oral session room will be equipped with one computer with standard Microsoft software, Multimedia projector, screen, a microphone and a laser pointer.

Slide Preview Room

• Exact room number for Slide Preview Room will be informed in due course.
• The room will be opened one hour before the first morning sessions begin and will be closed 30 minutes after the last session of the day. It will be equipped with several computers with standard Microsoft software so that you may assemble your slides and rehearse your presentation.