During its existence, LSOOD has organised several hundred professional development events on a variety of topics relevant to the dental profession. Even today, we can be glad that, thanks to the Society, Prof. Dr. med. dent. Georg Meyer of Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswald (Germany) visited Lithuania and shared his invaluable professional experience. Other distinguished guests included Prof. Gilbert Viguie (France); Assoc. Prof. Zdeněk Strnad, MSc, PhD, Executive Officer (Czech Republic); Igor Riedl, MSc, PhD (Czech Republic); H. Loranz (Germany); and Dr. med. dent. Jan Erik Schulz-Walz, Hamburg-Bahrenfeld (Germany), among many others who have inspired us to view dentistry as a science from a broader and deeper perspective.
We can be proud that our predecessors made a significant contribution to the establishment of the Lithuanian Chamber of Dentists. On their initiative, we succeeded in expanding the scope of competence of the BPG, introducing a medical service contract between the dentist, the patient, and the dental technician; approving standards for the materials and methods used in orthopaedic dentistry in Lithuania; and establishing clear plans and conditions for obtaining the necessary training at the Society’s educational events—on preferential terms for members. They also ensured that Lithuanian seniors and individuals under the age of 18 could receive essential dental prostheses free of charge through public funding.
It is gratifying that LSOOD and the journal Stomatologija have continued their tradition of goodwill, cooperation, and mutual support from the very beginning until now, thus broadening the professional horizons of every dental practitioner and fostering the development of new dental scientists.
LSOOD has always been open to progressive ideas, initiatives, and suggestions—organising thematic seminars, sharing interdisciplinary knowledge not only with periodontists, paediatric dentists, and other dental and medical professionals, but also with representatives of the social sciences, the arts, and the technical sciences in Lithuania, while also fostering friendly relationships with colleagues abroad.
The vision of LSOOD has always been focused on interdisciplinary problem-solving in the fields of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of diseases—creating fast communication between colleagues, ensuring the safety of dentists and the satisfaction of patients’ needs, addressing issues of the legal liability of dental technicians in Lithuania, and promoting the sharing of experience, knowledge, and development on a global scale.
Since 2009, the OOSK has organised an annual scientific and practical conference on prosthodontics and related topics, traditionally held at the end of spring. In addition to the above objectives, the aim was to involve as many colleagues as possible in sharing scientific work — dentists as lecturers and students and residents as poster presenters. From its very first year, OOSK attracted a wide circle of professionals interested in prosthodontics. Some of the world’s most renowned experts were invited as guest speakers at OOSK conferences, including Prof. J. P. Okeson (University of Kentucky, USA), P. Maló (Malo Clinic, Portugal), Prof. R. Mericske-Stern (University of Bern, Switzerland), and others.
OOSK conferences have covered a broad range of topics, including dental implants, temporomandibular disorders, aesthetic dentistry, and digital technologies in dentistry. As the OOSK community expanded, so did the need for organisational growth. After the 2013 OOSK Conference, this need was discussed by representatives of Vilnius University (VU) and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) — Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vygandas Rutkūnas and Prof. Dr. Alvydas Gleiznis. With the team’s agreement, it was decided to reorganise the Lithuanian Society of Dental Orthopaedists and Orthodontists into the Lithuanian Society of Prosthodontics (LOOD), which would assume the functions and continue the professional traditions of the former OOSK.
The aim was to involve as many colleagues as possible in the presentation of scientific papers: practising dentists were invited to deliver lectures, while numerous students and residents were encouraged to present their scientific work in the form of poster presentations.
The successful implementation of this initiative — grounded in professional ambition, collaboration, and human sincerity — is owed to Doc. V. Rutkūnas, Assoc. G. Pileičikienė, Assoc. T. Linkevičius, R. Pletkus, A. Baltrušaitytė, Assoc. G. Žekonis, K. Sveikatai, R. Savickas, A. Auškalnis, and J. Maminskas. The aim of LOOD is to unite leading dentists and dental specialists from Vilnius University and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, as well as professionals in private practice, to promote joint scientific and clinical work.
During the conference, the LOOD Council was elected. It included former leaders and members of both LSOOD and OOSK — A. Gleiznys, V. Rutkūnas, G. Pileičikienė, G. Žekonis, T. Linkevičius, and R. Trumpaitė-Vanagienė — as well as a new generation of young doctors whose innovative thinking and creativity enrich the society: A. Auškalnis, J. Maminskas, J. Vėbrienė, K. Sveikata, and I. Gasiūnienė. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaivilė Pileičikienė was elected Chairperson of the LOOD, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Rutkūnas was elected Deputy Chairperson.
Today, LOOD is a dynamic and active organisation that unites orthopaedic dentists from both Lithuanian universities that train dental professionals. It actively promotes progress in pre-graduate and postgraduate prosthodontic education, represents the interests of orthopaedic dentists within the Lithuanian Dental Chamber and international organisations, and invites all Lithuanian dentists interested in prosthodontics to join its ranks. The LOOD website (www.lood.lt) provides up-to-date information about the Society’s activities, as well as news on scientific and clinical developments.
The renewed Lithuanian Society of Prosthodontics expresses sincere gratitude to all members and colleagues — former LSOOD, OOSK, and new LOOD members — for their cooperation, trust, constructive feedback, and continuous support.