BDIA Dental Showcase overflowed with CPD opportunities, with lectures covering topics from the whole breadth of dentistry. For more practical educational sessions, hands-on workshops were staged for a number of clinical disciplines, allowing attendees to enhance their handling of different instruments, materials and techniques.
Throughout both days of the event, dental professionals filled the Clinical Excellence Workshop area, honing their skills, developing new techniques using cutting-edge equipment, and engaging with first-class dental leaders in the pursuit of clinical excellence. This includes the pairing of Dr Ali Chohan, and Dr Fahad Sheikh, who led the Composite Bonding Masterclass, sponsored by Smile Dental Academy.
Here, focus was placed on aesthetic composite bonding techniques that enhanced both the visual appeal and the functional longevity of restorations. Several cases were shown, with texture highlighted as a key factor for successful restorations; more texture meant a more natural and youthful appearance.
Discussion on the limitations of composite bonding added a reflective angle to the topic. The instructors considered how staining, chipping and wear increase over time, leading to repairs after two years to maintain the restoration. The earlier this treatment, however, the longer the composite will last.
With first-class equipment in hand, the delegates were then taken through the process of composite bonding step-by-step, following the instructions from the demonstration at the top of the workshop, which was streamed to the surrounding screens for optimal understanding. Throughout the exercise, delegates were advised to keep checking their work from different angles, testing the occlusal and lateral view. An invaluable tip was to always work from composite to tooth with brush, polish or for any manipulation.
Attending the Composite Bonding Masterclass was Dr Ann Howard, of Colne Dental Care, who remarked:
“I came across the workshop when it was advertised online. I really enjoyed the session and picked up some very useful, practical tips to take back and implement in practice. The hands-on element is definitely a benefit to attending BDIA Dental Showcase.”
Handling materials
In another session, delegates under the guidance of Dr Munther Sulieman received expert composite handling skills in his workshop on STELA, an exciting alternative for dental amalgam. Dr Sulieman detailed the ever-changing market of dental composites and the difficulties in navigating the many choices practitioners may face in choosing and using new materials. Sponsored by SDI, he showcased STELA as a new all-rounder in modern dentistry for its excellent handling capabilities.
The scene was sufficiently set for the attendees to try it themselves. Enthusiasm was high; a flurry of questions came from each and every attendee, with Dr K Harinda, of Rails Lane Dental, commenting afterwards:
“This was an excellent workshop, one that I hope will make my working life a lot easier – I have already placed the order for the material!”
The best bur
For Dr Richard Porter and Dr Raheel Malik, handling was an essential part of their workshop “Precision in Preparation”, supported by NSK, where considerable focus was placed on finding the right bur and using it to the best possible standard.
Dr Porter asked delegates to always think of ‘Future Me’; to have the foresight to know you will be thankful down the line. Tooth preparation should be done to such a reliable level that your future self will thank you for putting the time and effort in when you did. Finding the perfect balance between under- and over-prepping was central to the workflow, making sure delegates stopped to check that they had done the optimal amount beforehand.
Dr Porter prepped a veneer case and then dental professionals prepared their own posterior onlays. Dr S Jaswal raved about the workshop:
“I would definitely be interested in purchasing the NSK handpieces, as well as attending further sessions by these speakers. The workshop was the highlight of BDIA Dental Showcase.”
New skills to take back to the practice
Elsewhere in the timetable, Professor Josette Camilleri investigated hydraulic cements in endodontic practice and Cat Edney demonstrated anterior sectional matrices and composite placement. After two days of illuminating CPD upon its vibrant pink carpet, the Clinical Excellence Workshop area culminated with Dr Adriano Teixeira’s presentation on an injection moulding technique for anterior veneers and posterior wear cases. The variety of workshops reinforced the need for dentists to evolve their techniques; to find the best materials and tools that offer the greatest handling benefits without compromising on aesthetics or function.
With an influx of new skills and knowledge, attendees of the hands-on workshops left BDIA Dental Showcase ready to streamline their workflow, deliver first-class treatments, and share their findings with colleagues, ensuring that the lessons learned make an invaluable contribution to patients nationwide, and beyond.
BDIA Dental Showcase
13th-14th March 2026
ExCeL London
Find out more at www.dentalshowcase.com
