Following an exciting build up and much anticipation, on March 14 the wait was finally over for this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase. The event covered all aspects of dentistry, and championed the whole dental team, so it was no surprise that thousands of excited delegates made the journey to the ExCel Centre London to experience all it had to offer.
The exhibition floor was packed full of all the latest equipment and solutions from the best of the dental industry. With new products sprinkled amongst some tried and tested favourites, visitors had the opportunity to view and discover various innovations – all in one place. Professional associations, societies and education providers, as well as dental charities also attended the event, allowing individuals to find out more about available memberships or how they could get involved with volunteering.
Education
In addition to the wealth of exhibitor stands, the event boasted a diverse lecture programme across a number of different theatres all situated within the hall. Each theatre had a specific theme, and sessions were specially curated to ensure there was something for all members of the dental team. The different zones included the Clinical Theatre, Oral Health Theatre, Dental Update Theatre, Business Theatre, BACD Aesthetic Theatre, ADI Implantology Theatre, and the exclusive Chief Dental Officer Theatre and Zone. Delegates had the opportunity to earn their CPD through attending the various discussions and presentations. For those who fancied a more hands-on approach, the Clinical Excellence workshops offered interactive learning with the latest advancements in dental technology.
Edmund Proffitt, chief executive of the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA), and Gail Vernon, president of the BDIA, opened with an address outlining the current issues in dentistry, whilst highlighting exciting dental initiatives such as the oral health incubator and the national supervised toothbrushing programme.
Following on from this, Martin Woodrow, chief executive of the British Dental Association (BDA), presented a keynote address titled, ‘Dentistry and politics: what next in 2025?’ Martin explained that three shifts were necessary in UK dentistry, from secondary to primary care, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention. He also considered the wider issues effecting the industry including regulation, dental tourism and private dentistry.
In the Oral Health Theatre, dental therapist Victoria Akinfenwa, discussed how practices can better integrate dental therapy into general practice. She began by defi ning the difference in roles between dental hygienists and dental therapists, stressing that not all dental hygienists are therapists. She also highlighted the broad scope of practice of dental therapists, encouraging delegates to extend and refresh their skill set by undertaking additional courses. Victoria concluded the session by emphasising the benefits of introducing dental therapy into a practice’s workflow, to optimise the use of surgery time. She challenged practices to empower dental therapists, while encouraging dental therapists themselves to network, create a portfolio and most importantly, build their confidence.
The morning continued with an important session on wellbeing in dentistry, titled ‘Mental Health Wellness and You: We all matter’. Angus Pringle, a specialist orthodontist, kicked off the session with a thought-provoking talk. He reminded delegates that while they tell patients to brush their teeth every day, it is as equally important to encourage and practice mental health wellness every day. As well as encouraging dental professionals to nurture their own wellbeing, he also highlighted the role of the clinicians as mental health supporters. He encouraged delegates to complete a mental health first aid training course, reminding clinicians that they are not councillors or therapists, but that they can be listeners, encouraging patients in need to seek help and signposting them to resources. Angus’ message was clear – professionals need to focus on breaking down the stigma around talking about our mental health and asking for help, before it’s too late.
Catherine Rutland, chair of Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry, part of the Dental Professional Alliance, concluded the session by encouraging dental professionals to be gentle and understanding with one another, emphasising the fact that people can still act professionally, even when they are struggling. She echoed Angus’ message to speak up and talk about mental health, stating that mental wellness is a continuous project and there is much more work to be done.
The afternoon featured more engaging sessions, including a presentation from Jennifer Gallagher, honorary consultant in dental public health. Focusing on the future dental workforce, Jennifer discussed the push and pull factors for people entering into the dental industry, including career opportunities, social interactions and personal skills and care. Jennifer also touched on the career development of dental nurses, concluding that we need organisational, system change to allow dental nurses to use their skills fully. She argued that successful delegation of some tasks would lead to benefits for the wider team, freeing up dentists’ time and increasing job satisfaction for everyone.
The following presentation from Lisa Andrews-Davies a senior dental nurse and chair of the Society of British Dental Nurses (SBDN), looked at the treatment of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lisa’s talk was honest and informative, as she shared her own lived experiences with her son who has ADHD. She highlighted the broad symptoms of the condition, touching on how dental professionals can support young ADHD patients who struggle to comply with a consistent oral hygiene routine. When asked by an audience member if the information was applicable for young adult/ adult patients, Lisa encouraged dental professionals to set good foundations for patients from a young age, emphasising that dental nurses are key as oral health practitioners to spread awareness and information.
Rebecca Silver, a dental nurse, delivered a meaningful session on safeguarding in dentistry, defining the difference between harm, abuse and neglect. She highlighted the legal safeguarding procedures that must be in place when working with children, whilst outlining the responsibilities of the dental team. These included being aware of the warning signs and recognising/recording if something is out of the ordinary. Rebecca also encouraged delegates to use the term ‘was not brought’ instead of ‘did not attend’, to help understand the situation from the child or young person’s perspective.
The final session of the day in the BACD Aesthetic theatre was given by Simon Chard, a cosmetic dentist. Simon discussed stress in dentistry, encouraging delegates to adopt the SMILE framework to improve performance. This includes Sleep, Mindfulness, Intake, Love and Exercise.
Day two
The second day of the educational programme started with a keynote address from Jason Wong, the chief dental officer for England. Jason stressed the importance of patient and team safety, emphasising the need for a culture shift – from one of blame and fear, to one of learning and feeling safe. He also touched on the implementation of key oral health partnerships, including the collaboration between NHS England and Asda, who have put signs and symptoms of mouth cancer on toothpaste and mouthwash packaging. This led seamlessly into a powerful and heartfelt talk from Laura Marston, a mouth cancer survivor and campaigner. Laura shared her story about adapting to life after having major oral surgery, encouraging a message of consistent dental care, especially post-surgery.
In a later session, Jason continued the theme of team wellbeing by launching a new wellness platform. Aimed at supporting the whole dental team, the Breathe platform is a hub that provides users with expert guidance, support and resources to help reduce stress and prevent burnout.
Preetee Hylton, a dental nurse and president of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), presented another poignant session titled ‘Speak up, save smiles: Empowering dental teams against domestic abuse’. Preetee defined what classifies as domestic abuse, emphasising that it’s not just bruises but can also be silence, fear and control. She discussed the signs that practitioners should look out for in patients, including unexplained injuries, repeated dental trauma and any noticeable anxiety or reluctance to speak. Preetee stressed that it’s essential to be aware of signs of domestic abuse in colleagues also, encouraging delegates to record all incidents they witness. As a survivor herself, Preetee highlighted the need for team training for handling domestic abuse – both in regard to patients and colleagues. Preetee concluded her talk by launching the BADN Workplace Domestic Abuse Response Handbook for Dental Professionals, as well as a Domestic Abuse Policy Template for Employers of Dental Professionals – two resources that she encouraged all delegates to utilise in their workplace.
Joycee Rebelo, an orthodontic therapist and committee member of the Orthodontic National Group, concluded the morning sessions with a presentation on mouth cancer management. After briefly touching on the risk factors, Joycee outlined signs to look out for including unusual lumps or swelling, persistent sores or ulcers and unusual bleeding from the mouth or throat. She also discussed the scope of practice for orthodontic therapists in detecting mouth cancer, exploring how orthodontic professionals can educate patients on mouth cancer awareness, such as emphasising the importance of regular dental check-ups. Joycee concluded her presentation with a singular and ultimately vital message: early detection saves lives.
Star quality
There was a lighter mood in the next headline session – ‘Beyond Dentistry: Britain’s Legacy in Science’. Professor Brian Cox, scientist, musician and 2009’s sexiest man alive, spoke with Avijit Banerjee, professor of cariology and operative dentistry. Brian discussed the link between science and general health, stating that we never know what field of discovery will be transformational and thus, research is vital. The key theme throughout the discussion was Britain’s impact on science throughout history, focusing on individual accomplishments that led to breakthroughs in both the industry and society as a whole. The presentation emphasised how collaboration between various professions and industries can help make such advances possible.
Brian touched on how intricate and highly advanced theories can be made accessible to a wider audience, showcased through his broadcasting and documentary-making work. He also encouraged dental professionals to communicate effectively with patients and the wider public, sharing their own awareness messages in an engaging and accessible way. When asked during the Q&A session how we can inspire curiosity in the next generation, he stressed that curiosity should not be limited to children and stated that there is no such thing as a silly question!
The two action packed days offered delegates the opportunity to experience the latest products the UK dental industry has to offer, while simultaneously improving their knowledge with lectures and hands-on workshops. Walking around the exhibition it was easy to connect with colleagues and fellow professionals, a refreshing change from everyday practice. As the event drew to a close on a sunny Saturday afternoon, dental professionals left with a renewed sense of positivity, looking to the future as one team.