Something for Everyone

The Dentistry Show promises something for every member of the dental team from live theatre demonstrations to debates and discussions on the key issues facing the profession, along with many opportunities to gain valuable CPD points over the two days.

A series of thought provoking and stimulating panel discussions will focus on Dental Nursing, Labs, Business, Hygienists and Therapists, Clinical Dentistry and Future Dentistry.

Dr Michael Cahill is chairing the Clinical Dentistry session in which leading international experts will look at minimally invasive dentistry, the art and science of aesthetics, restoration of severely worn teeth and the notion of chasing perfection;  “There’s a definite move towards ethical dentistry, particularly in preventative and aesthetics where the question is what’s best for the patient not what will display the dentist’s skills best. We are now dealing with the effects of overkill of prepared teeth – massive crowns and bridges from 20 years ago and neither dentists nor patients want that any more - additive dentistry is better than subtractive dentistry.  Advances in materials have revolutionised bonding and composites, patients want restorations, not cut teeth and we understand so much more about marrying appearance and functionality that also means considering perceptions of perfection and attractiveness.”

The Dentistry Show covers all aspects of the industry and the Dental Business conference theatre that Chris Barrow is chairing will, in his words, “…showcase what we think are going to be innovations in the dentistry business over the next year or so and look at key areas such as marketing, customer service, management systems and leadership. When I arrived in dentistry 17 years ago, none of this mattered but it does now and the Dentistry Show is all about the future, not the past.”

Derek Pearson’s programme for Dental Lab Technicians will provide an independent series of presentations and case studies on latest trends, techniques and technologies that he says are vital if UK labs and technicians are to remain competitive , “With pressure mounting on the UK’s dental technical profession to offer a viable alternative to overseas competition, and in some cases the actual role of the technician changing within the dental team, it is essential to stay abreast of developing technologies. New techniques and materials allow laboratories to produce precise restorations faster and with greater aesthetic quality. Although there may presently be a lull in cosmetic dentistry thanks to the current economic situation, when people once again start to enjoy financial stability, labs will be called on to match patient demand for better and more realistic prosthetics.”

For dental nurses, 2012 marks the half way point in the first five year cycle since GDC regulation. The Dentistry Show offers free, verifiable CPD and the panel session on Dental Nursing, will also concentrate on the core topics stipulated by the GDC that include infection control and decontamination, radiography safety, legal and ethical issues and medical emergencies. That panel discussion will be chaired by Sam Ball; “ Obviously getting hours of CPD in the bag is incredible as it’s all free and the opportunities for learning are great but the Dentistry Show is also a brilliant way to integrate the whole team – dentists, hygienists and therapists, nurses – that’s really important and of course it’s useful for catching up with old friends and making new ones.”

Mhari Coxon is leading the programme for hygienists and therapists that will focus on prevention, implementation and providing the highest quality of preventative care, dealing with nervous patients, and xerostomia; “ We’ve got a really impressive calibre of speakers, new faces and voices and a real cutting edge – the live theatre for hygienists is ground breaking. Hygienists and therapists are at the hub of practices, play a key role in patient relationships and retention and with the emphasis on prevention, that role will increase.”

Certainly, the challenges and changes facing dentistry and every member of the team will be top of the agenda at the Dentistry Show, and Dr Amarjit Gill is expecting the Future Dentist programme he’s chairing to be another lively debate involving some of the industry’s big hitters; “There’s the new government contract and how attractive that will be, there’s the emphasis on oral health and prevention. With the private dentistry market predicted to be worth an extra £1billion within the next year, these are exciting times for all dental professionals and that’s what the Dentistry Show’s all about.”

The Dentistry Show is at the NEC, Birmingham March 2nd and 3rd  2012. For more information, please call 020 7348 5269 or email info@thedentistryshow.co.uk