Later this month one of the biggest events in the dental calendar will be coming to London. April 25-27 sees the ExCeL centre in London’s Docklands host the British Dental Conference and Exhibition. The event features a varied programme of lectures, seminars, interactive discussions, demonstrations, promotions and social events. It caters for all dental professionals whether they wish to hear from expert clinicians, give their business a boost or discuss the future of NHS dentistry.
Leaders
As in previous years an impressive array of speakers from the UK and abroad will present on their areas of expertise. Headlining in 2013, and giving his first presentation in Great Britain, Robert Lowe from the US will discuss advanced aesthetic restorations, clinical treatment planning and problem solving, and composite restorative dentistry. Further leading names include Bart Van Meerbeek, professor in biomaterial sciences at the conservative dentistry department of the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, who will deliver two sessions on adhesion and ceramics, and general dental practitioner and director of Dawson Academy UK, Ian Buckle, who will discuss occlusal principles for daily practice.
Political discussion also features highly on the agenda. On Friday morning Dentistry Minister Earl Howe will set out how he sees the future shaping up in England under a new NHS dental contract. At the end of his presentation audience members will have the opportunity to put their questions to him.
Further opportunities for discussion will be on offer in three special discussion sessions led by the chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, John Milne. John will talk about the latest developments concerning the pilot practices and what this means in real terms for dentistry professionals.
Overall the programme provides amazing variety with sessions on periodontics, radiology, caries management, infection control and professional regulation, to name but a few.
Business and beyond
For the business-minded the Training Essentials theatre is the place to be with bite-sized lectures on online marketing, managing a successful team, tax and investment and time management. The Training Essentials theatre also offers a range of presentations addressing core CPD topics such as medical emergencies, record keeping, decontamination and the early detection of oral cancer.
Other features to look forward to include the return of the Demonstration Theatre with practical sessions for the whole team using phantom head simulators and, of course, the exhibition with more than 120 suppliers and professional organisations. Visitors to the exhibition can look forward to product launches, giveaways and special offers as well as the chance to see the latest technology in the Innovation Zone and the opportunity to discuss that special purchase direct with suppliers. Those looking for a break can relax in the massage area or take a seat in the BDA museum cinema – new for 2013.
In the evening, the event will again provide something for everyone from exhibition hall drinks and charity auction on Thursday evening to the Friday night party at the Fox Bar situated in a converted Docklands tobacco warehouse and finally the black tie Gala dinner in the Crowne Plaza Docklands on Saturday night. Plus, for newly qualified dentists there is the Spring ball taking place at The Brewery.
Plan your visit
Tickets are available from the event website www.bda.org/conference. This is also the place to go to view the full programme online, book appointments with the exhibitors and create a personal programme via the event planner.
Special offers
British Dental Association members are entitled to a one-day free conference pass and any dentist booking for two or three days can register a DCP to attend free of charge. Some exclusions do apply. For more information visit www.bda.org/conference