The British Orthodontic Conference (BOC) 2025 at ICC Wales saw two of its most popular innovations return: the Studio Sessions and Trade Theatres. First introduced at BOC 2024, both formats created vibrant hubs of learning in the heart of the trade exhibition area.
Studio Sessions: Small Groups, Big Impact
The Studio Sessions provided an intimate space for around 30 delegates to dive deeper into specific presentations delivered on the main plenary platform at the conference. During the sessions an individual speaker, together with a BOS moderator, unpacked specific elements of their talks, allowing delegates to ask questions directly and engage in rich discussion. The anticipation was buzzing, with queues spilling out of the doors as delegates waited for sessions to begin.
According to speaker Dr Eugene Chan from Australia: “By getting people up close and personal at Studio Sessions you can talk about things that you don’t normally talk about on stage like ‘How is your practice run? How many patients do you see in a day? What’s the worst scenario in your dental office?’ In small, intimate sessions like these, you can share stories that help you connect with the audience. I would definitely encourage people to come to these sessions, they are really well run.”
Delegate Dr Caryl Wilson-Nagrani, added “I really enjoyed the Studio Theatre experience. It felt like such a different atmosphere to being in an auditorium. You felt almost like a fly on the wall, observing an intimate conversation between two academics. I gained a lot from the experience. I’d definitely recommend delegates attend any future Studio Sessions at BOC events; you’re going to feel like you’ve gained something special that no one else has experienced.”
The Trade Theatre: Turning Insights into Actions
Trade Theatre sessions offered a platform for exhibitors to showcase innovations and technology. What made these sessions particularly special was the opportunity for exhibitors to share their expertise in a highly practical way. Orthodontists spoke about their first-hand experiences with new products, explaining how they integrated innovations into their clinics and the measurable benefits for patients, teams, and practice efficiency.
One delegate described how a Trade Theatre session gave them the confidence to implement a new technology in their clinic, highlighting the immediate, tangible impact these interactive sessions could have. Dr Puthri Raphy commented “The Trade Theatre sessions gave me the opportunity to ask questions that I possibly wouldn’t have otherwise. The speaker explained a lot about her experience and gave us the information that we were missing to take the next steps. When it comes to hearing from someone who has actually done it, you get all the information that you need and you know the pros and the cons as well”.
A New Standard for Engagement
The Studio and Trade theatres at BOC 2025 proved that orthodontic conferences don’t have to be passive experiences. By blending interactive discussion, practical demonstrations, and real-world case studies, these theatres offered delegates knowledge they could directly apply to their practices. Both formats have quickly become a highlight of the conference, setting a new standard for engagement, insight, and inspiration in the orthodontic community.
Looking ahead, both the Studio sessions and Trade theatres will be returning for BOC 2026, which will take place at the Brighton Centre from 24–26 September. With the success and popularity of these interactive sessions this year, delegates can look forward to another round of packed, engaging, and practical learning experiences. Mark your diaries now to be part of the action next year!
