From April 10-12, the Manchester Central Convention Complex is the place to meet colleagues from around the country, learn from leading clinicians from the UK and abroad, and be inspired by new ideas and techniques you can make work in your own practice. This year’s British Dental Conference and Exhibition boasts more than 80 conference sessions, over 150 exhibitors, a dedicated demonstration theatre as well as innovation and advice zones.
From clinical to political
For conference pass holders the event offers three days of lectures and presentations covering every area of clinical dentistry and beyond. On Thursday, highlights include a presentation by the head and chair of periodontology and director of research at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute, Nikolaos Donos, who will discuss the interface between periodontics and implants. There will also be a presentation on bonding agents and techniques by Felix Wöhrle, lecturer in prosthodontics at the University of Hamburg. On Friday, private practitioner and European Society of Cosmetic Dentistry board member
Gregory Brambilla from Italy will look at how to achieve indirect restorations with an aesthetic and biologically acceptable outcome.
Saturday’s highlights include Francesco Mannocci, professor of endontology at King’s College, discussing survival and success in endodontic treatment; and Valerie Clerehugh, professor of periodontology at the University of Leeds, who will examine the connection between diabetes and periodontics and what it means for everyday practice. Further clinical sessions to look out for include a presentation by Trevor Burke, professor of primary dental care and honorary consultant in restorative dentistry at the University of Birmingham on how evidence based dentistry can be used to select the right materials patients’ needs and a special series of sessions hosted by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
In addition to the clinical sessions conference pass holders will get the chance to hear from health minister Earl Howe talking about the next steps for NHS dentistry in England whilst contract reform can be explored in the daily discussion sessions with the chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, John Milne. There will also be a chance to hear incoming BDA president Alasdair Miller’s president’s lecture: ‘How learning is key to success in life’.
Even for those without a conference pass, the event still has something to offer. The buzzing exhibition will host more than 150 dental suppliers, associations and professional services and is the place to go to find out more about the latest products on the market and discuss requirements directly with the suppliers. The exhibition also features the innovation zone, where delegates can see new technology in action, as well as the advice zone, new for 2014. The advice zone will be offering free 15-minute consultations with BDA advisors on career advice, practice management, employment issues, tax and finance and more. Delegates can register for a meeting at the BDA stand.
Further opportunities for learning are available in the demonstration theatre and training essentials theatre, both also situated in the exhibition hall.
On the social front, on Thursday evening the exhibition hall hosts a drinks reception for all delegates giving an opportunity to catch up with exhibitors and colleagues and then on Friday evening delegates have the chance to unwind away from the venue at the Friday night party at the Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel (or at the Spring ‘Masquerade’ Ball for newly qualified dentists at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel).
Booking information
Prospective delegates can register online at www.bda.org/conference or by calling 0870 166 6625. Three-day conference passes are free to Extra and Expert BDA members. Expert members can also register two DCPs to attend free of charge, a different two on each day if they wish. Conferences passes are available at a reduced price for Essential members.