As conferences go it had all the ingredients to make it great. There were excellent speakers and a well set out centre with the largest member turnout to date. It was even passable weather.
Manchester is a brilliant venue – everything within walking distance and covered. The British Dental Association has got this event sorted. Smooth, efficient even seamless comes to mind. There was a special auditorium for DCPs run by OralB that ran concurrently with the rest of the programme and was cunningly timed to allow overlap in the numbers – it was stimulating to hear the occasional round of applause echo around the trade show. Three days of non-stop CPD!
There was never prolonged queuing for any of the refreshments and there were plenty of tables to sit at to consume lunch. There was even the added cabaret of back massaging by trained masseurs and a stand with the incredible carrot of an electrical back massager that tempted many to purchase including me.
There are several facets to a conference like this one – the speakers, the trade show and the socialising. The trade stands were down in number – rumour had it that it was missing 60 of the regulars. Some of the smaller organisations had done a deal to enable them to attend – charities and other struggling groups deserve to be given a bit of extra help to achieve their presence. Despite lots of freebies and colleagues to meet, there was still a subdued air and some of the trade stands were often eerily empty. Those stands that were there were often much smaller than we are used to and there didn't seem to be the buzz that usually accompanies the planned refreshment breaks between speakers. Many of those attending were foundation/vocational dentists and there were a number of DCPs but most of these have reduced 'spending capacity' and one felt that there were far fewer dentists and practice owners actually buying – perhaps reflecting prudence in a reduced economic climate. Perhaps the fact that the lecture programme was such a high standard and there was almost always someone to listen to meant probably dentists didn't want to miss out on their valuable CPD.
Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE was excellent. Born with spina bifida she was encouraged by her parents to see herself the same as anyone else and not be defeated. She has won 11 gold medals in the paralympics but did not see herself winning without her team – individual success is not always about individuals. She concentrated on training in the things she didn't do well until she got them right. You have to plan plan and plan, be organised – we are in tough times and have to make tough choices. A remarkable woman and an inspirational presentation.
Richard Simonsen headed the US speakers. His was a sobering look at some of the extreme cosmetic work that some dentists carry out in the name of aesthetics. This lecture, devoted to ethics in dentistry, was well supported by an audience that clearly agreed with some of his examples of unnecessary enamel destruction. Not a lot of difference between us and the US, only they don't seem to get as sued as many times as UK dentists by their patients. There must be a message for us somewhere.
A real innovator and supporter of minimum intervention, Raymond Bertolotti was also an impressive communicator. Witty, forthright, he only uses Panavia and Empress 1, he has a private practice where patients return after 15 years' absence and expect him to pick up the pieces, such is his reputation. His preparations on flat surfaces with retention using bond strength and some cunning were awesome. It is good to listen to really skilled colleagues.
Other key note speakers were Stephen Davies on occlusion, Paul Lambrechts on the wear and long term durability of the new nanotechnology composites, Angelo Putignano on direct aesthetic restorations and how to avoid making mistakes and Piet Haers on oral surgery in the practice. Top quality speakers on topics at the core of every GDP's practice.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley was great value! Speaking to a packed audience – they were even queuing outside – he spoke for half an hour and took questions as well. In the event he said absolutely nothing that we didn't already know, but what a polished charmer. Handsome and with wit and seeming sincerity he recounted the mantra about the pilots that are going to change dentistry. He has listened to the dentists and these will be the answer for all of us in NHS dentistry. He personally reduced the CQC fee for dental practices – so we are listened to. His avoidance in answering the questions at the end including one rather direct dentist who had noted the 'hot air', was a consummate lesson in political evasion. Higher education funding (someone else's responsibility), fluoride (not his decision) and everything else was 'wait for the pilots'.
Ken Harris was worthwhile. His run through of veneers was witty, informative and peppered with examples of what he wouldn't do now! It is refreshing to listen to a good clinician who is not only able to communicate well but who lets us learn from his experience.
The meeting of the GDC on Shaping regulation and standards for the future should have attracted DCPs as well as dentists. This is an amazingly complex area and has serious implications for the profession bearing in mind that more EU qualified dentists came on to the Register last year than UK qualified, without the benefit of language checks and the foundation/ VT year. This has an effect on our new UK graduates' job prospects as well as communication with patients. Sadly there were only 12 attendees and the proposed breakout groups dwindled to two of six but the discussions were relevant and hopefully the GDC will change things for the better.
Prof Tara Renton gave the Lyndsay memorial lecture on the history of anaesthesia in dentistry. This was a fascinating overview of pioneers who suffered for their research with depression, poverty, suicide and premature death – up to the present day. Delivered with her usual wit and enthusiasm this was an unexpected treat.
This conference was full to the brim with good communicators, stimulating topics and practical tips on everything from endodontics to implants.
This BDA conference was the best ever if you wanted to learn and improve. It is in Manchester again next year (April 26 – 28).