Joanna Sutcliffe has 30 years of experience in dentistry, currently working in general practice in Devon. Her special interests in oral surgery, implantology, sedation and advanced restorative dentistry led Joanna to join the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI), for which she is now the South West Representative.
An advocate for making implant dentistry accessible to general dentists, Joanna is keen to help more colleagues embrace the skills and opportunities available in the field. She reflects on how technological changes in the field have transformed her own dentistry:
“The use of technology, and a guided surgery workflow, has improved the whole implant journey for me. 3D imaging allows me to plan the ideal implant position and categorise cases according to their complexity. Using guided techniques in conjunction with this planning results in more accurate surgery with prosthetically-driven guided placement and enhanced management of patient expectations. From the administrative side, this has simplified my ordering and financial processes.
“Furthermore, the digital workflow has improved my surgical workflow and reduced my overall surgical time – which mitigates any extra time or fees allocated to planning cases. The additional confidence this affords on the day of surgery is another positive and one that the patient picks up on. Especially when implementing immediate implant protocols, a guided approach has elevated the standard of accuracy I achieve while reducing clinical complications with a flapless approach in many situations, and enabled me to successfully progress into full-arch dentistry.”
Despite a hugely positive experience of guided implantology, Joanna does appreciate that barriers exist for some clinicians who have not yet got involved. She explores these in a bit more detail:
“The initial investment needed in some of the technology involved can be substantial. While referrals can be made for CBCT and intraoral scans, the cost of outsourcing tends to add a significant expense for the patient. For clinicians placing implants frequently, a positive return on investment could be generated by bringing the service in-house, making it well worth consideration.
“Another challenge for dentists introducing guided surgery is to develop familiarity with the imaging and planning software, as well as the implant system they are using. There are many options, offering different features and ease of use – and available with a different price tag. It can be helpful to work with your implant company to find which combination is best for you as you move into guided workflows.
“For those new to implantology, it is critical to build a good grounding in traditional implant techniques before learning the guided approach. It isn’t always possible to use guided surgery – especially when working in the posterior region or when patients have a small mouth opening – so you will still need to revert to freehand techniques for some cases. When you have sufficient experience, try different systems to see which works best for you; it’s not unusual to use a different implant system for guided compared to freehand surgery. Your lab will also be integral to achieving good results for patients.”
Joanna will be exploring the topic of guided surgery in more depth in the ADI Implantology Theatre on Friday 13th March at BDIA Dental Showcase 2026. In particular, she will discuss the various freehand and computer guided options for implant placement and when they are most appropriate. She will also cover the evidence supporting guided surgery and how it can be utilised to improve patient outcomes from a practical perspective. Providing further useful insights for colleagues moving into guided implantology, Joanna will share her experience with some of the specific brands and solutions available, which attendees can go on to explore more in the exhibition.
All of this is only possible thanks to the strong partnership established between BDIA Dental Showcase and the ADI. Joanna highlights the advantages of this collaboration for attendees at the event:
“I have been a member of the ADI for the last decade and I appreciate that it is the only independent, charitable, national organisation to support dental implants. Membership allows connection to other colleagues, and provides up-to-date CPD and access to international speakers at dedicated events. There are also member benefits to ensure quality note taking, reduce litigation and provide tailored indemnity insurance packages, among many others.
“BDIA Dental Showcase gives the ADI a platform to raise awareness about everything it offers and give the wider profession a taste of how we can support them.”
Whether you are new to dental implantology or looking to advance your skills by introducing guided workflows, BDIA Dental Showcase 2026 is not an event to miss. An entire educational programme and exhibition zone will be dedicated to implants, with clinical experts, product developers and academics from the field sharing important insights. This is in addition to Showcase exclusives like the Ministerial address, access to the CDO, and an extensive exhibition floor designed with the profession in mind. Joanna adds:
“Implants are no longer just for experts in the field and are now part of everyday clinical practice. Connecting with relevant organisations and colleagues at events like this helps start and continue the journey for clinicians.”
BDIA Dental Showcase
13th-14th March 2026
ExCel London
Register now at www.dentalshowcase.com
