Dentistry is a rapidly evolving profession and while advances in technology open up new routes for treatment and diagnosis, there is also a host of non-clinical challenges facing every member of the dental health care team. Organisers of the 2011 James Hull Clinical conference, held at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, brought together a range of expert speakers who covered areas from composites to complaints, occlusion to opportunity and records to restoration.
With parallel sessions running throughout the day, there was ample opportunity for dentists, DCPs and practice managers to attend a variety of lectures, talks and sessions.
To kick start the day, Simon Hocken of Breathe Business offered an assessment of what he called, the 'avalanche of change' in dental practice which will have a radical impact on both the delivery and business of dentistry. Simon pointed to:
- Rules and regulation as a result of HTM01/05 and other compliance, CQC and the threat of revalidation.
- An oversupply of newly qualified, inexperienced dental graduates without sufficient technical or interpersonal skills to function well in general practice.
- New squat practices and newly re-invented practices, increasing the competition.
- Significant costs involved in acquiring complex new skills and the necessary equipment to deliver them.
- Fees aren't rising quickly enough to keep pace.
He also spoke of the opportunities in dentistry, the importance of understanding the current business climate and having a set of strategies to develop and grow your practice.Another popular speaker was Andrew Hyatt, former president of the British Endodontic Society who asked: why do root canal fillings fail, can we all agree what is a failed root canal filling, if they fail, is it always the operator's fault, is it always because of inadequate technique, how significant is failure, what are the risks of failure?
His answer was that failure is due to ineffective control of infection and it is much easier to prevent infection than to treat it successfully. Chronic dental infection might be very much more important than has commonly been recognised. Technique is certainly important in endodontics but this presentation explored the themes that case selection, the timing of intervention, asepsis and⇐ ⇔restoration are as important, if not more important than the mechanical techniques involved in canal shaping and packing, if success rates are to be maximised.
Rainer Urdaneta, a leading implant expert from the US presented some of his clinical and research experience with Bicon's short implants. He spoke of his latest research in crestal bone gain and survival of ultra short locking taper implants findings that have identified several local and systemic factors associated with a significant increase in crestal bone levels around single tooth implants following crown insertion.
On the non-clinical side, Alan Cohen, head of dental services at Dental Protection shared his 'Ten top ways to reduce your risk', which left delegates in no doubt that the single most important factor in risk management is record keeping. Alan also focused on the importance of communication skills particularly in relation to consent, confidentiality and complaint handling. Linking neatly into one of the issues relevant to record keeping, Surinder Lall, head of ICT for James Hull Associates and ICT services to all 74 practices, spoke about significant changes in IT which will benefit practices.
Anil Shrestha , who has been with JHA since 1993 shared some enlightening experiences that have helped shape his career, as a respected academic mentor and tutor within the corporate environment. James Hull Associates' and Anil's shared commitment to the highest quality dental care, reinforced through their partnership during nearly two decades, has been incorporated into the 74 practices across the UK.
Richard Lee has spent many years in private practice, focusing primarily on conservative cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Richard shared the techniques, materials and instrumentation he uses; whether it be diastema closures, composite veneers or that large class IV, and left his audience with some useful tips, hints and tricks to help make placing composite more predictable, enjoyable and profitable.
Orthodontic specialist Rebecca Wilson's presentation was aimed at helping the dentist, who is usually the first point of contact, to examine children from an orthodontic point of view. Rebecca explained how to assess patients at different stages of dental development and outlined some of the interceptive procedures available to deal with most common malocclusions.
In keeping with the JHA conference tradition that it is not all work and no play, delegates also enjoyed socialising at the champagne reception and gala dinner during which awards were presented to Ameed Abdul-Hamid and Saud Bin Majed Al-Duwaish in recognition of their work and support for the Arabic Centre for Oral Health which will open in the autumn at Eastman ICED in London.