The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 will offer two days of education and networking for all members of the dental team. It will feature various lecture programmes catering to the needs of those with different roles, interests and specialities, with an eclectic trade exhibition displaying the latest innovations in the profession as well.

As part of the Speciality Interest Theatre, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) School of Dentistry will be sponsoring a panel session entitled “Lifelong learning? Navigating dental education in turbulent times”. The discussion will be led by a team of highly esteemed faculty members, including: Beverley Littlemore, Senior Lecturer in Dental Hygiene and Therapy; Dominic Stewardson, Professor in Restorative Dentistry, Assessment Lead and Course Lead MSc Prosthodontics; Fadi Barrak, Course Leader MSc Dental Implantology; Malcolm Edwards, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Specialist Restorative Dentistry and Specialist Prosthodontics; Shalini Kanagasingam, Course Leader MSc Endodontology; and Aengus Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Communications and Knowledge Transfer.

We spoke to Aengus Kelly, who kindly provided an outline of what the team hope to cover during their panel discussion:

“This session will be based around the increasingly important topic of postgraduate dental education. The dental profession is rapidly evolving, with internal and external pressures changing the experience of being in practice and resulting in new career pathways. This panel discussion will cover a broad educational spectrum from chairside mentoring to online learning and team training, ultimately exploring the future role of, and possible training pathways for, the GDP.

“Continuing education and lifelong learning are clearly always important in our profession, but there are a few particular reasons why this topic is coming into sharper focus right now. The ‘Advancing Dentistry’ project[i]report considered potential changes to training in dentistry, including integrated approaches to undergraduate training for all clinical roles and more developed training pathways in primary care. Also in primary care, Advancing Dentistry proposed a growing need for GDPs to have further academic and educational training (e.g. an MSc qualification[ii]). With NHS Contract Reform pending, it is possible that there will be increased use of secondarydental care services in the coming years. Equally, many colleagues seek to expand the range of treatments they offer on a private basis in primary care. It’s important for GDPs to be in a good position for development in practice.

“In addition, the 2018 BDA survey on stress and burnout[iii]suggests that, while burnout is a very significant problem for the whole profession, GDPs are most at risk and further training might help to mitigate that risk. Another consideration is that we have a maturing workforce of DCPs and this is reflected in growing opportunities for postgraduate education (e.g. MSc programmes for Dental Therapists[iv]).

“The most common issue facing a practitioner considering further training is the range of choices available. When there are so many options – from online courses to weekend training to full-time qualifications – it can be tricky to make an informed choice. Key factors in course selection are quality, patient contact and work/study/life balance. Are the providers of the training suitably qualified and trained as educators? Is there opportunity for supervised and/or mentored patient contact to develop new skills? Is it possible to study while continuing to practice (e.g. part-time courses, online content)?”

All these concepts and more will be explored during the panel session, offering delegates fresh ideas and practical advice on how they could develop their skills and their careers.

“We intend for delegates to leave the session with a clearer idea of what options are available for career development in dentistry, both for the individual and the wider dental team,” Aengus comments. “At times, there can be a prevailing gloominess caused by perceptions of the challenges within the profession, from burnout to financial and regulatory stresses. It is nice to offer the prospect of hope and the potential for positive change.”

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 will present many opportunities for dental professionals to attend presentations by renowned speakers from the UK and abroad. Up to 14 hours of enhanced CPD will be available, with the extensive trade floor demonstrating the latest products, materials and technologies from more than 400 dental manufacturers and suppliers. Aengus adds:

“What is striking about the event is that there is something there for everyone. In 2018 there was a really full schedule of CPD events across the venue and a great buzz from the crowd. We at UCLan School of Dentistry are particularly pleased to be presenting a session this year to mark the launch of our newly-redesigned clinical MSc programmes.[v]These MSc programmes are completed in two years and include supervised patient contact along with lab-based skills development. Much of the academic component of the course (including the dissertation) is completed via online learning. Find out more at dentistryevents@uclan.ac.uk.”

 

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show is completely free for delegates to attend – register online today.

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 – Friday 17^thand Saturday 18^thMay – Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

Visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270

or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

 

References

[i]Health Education England. Advancing Dental Care: Education and Training Review. Final Report. https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/advancing_dental_care_final.pdf

 [Accessed March 2019]

[ii]University of Central Lancashire. Courses. Dental Education, MSc. https://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/msc-dental-education.php [Accessed March 2019]

[iii]Collin V, Toon M, O’Selmo E, Reynolds L, Whitehead P. A survey of stress, burnout and well-being on UK dentists. British Dental Journal. Jan 2019; 226: 40-49

[iv]University of Central Lancashire. Courses. Advanced restorative and Periodontal Practice, MSc. https://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/msc-advanced-restorative-and-periodontal-practice.php

[Accessed March 2019]

[v]University of Central Lancashire. About us. University structure. Schools. School of Dentistry. Courses. https://www.uclan.ac.uk/schools/dentistry/courses.php[Accessed March 2019]

Dr Solveig Skaar demonstrates how she helped a patient improve their smile aesthetics in a conservative but effective way, all without fixed orthodontics.

A 24-year-old male patient presented with concerns about the appearance of his teeth, which were crowded. The patient therefore expressed an interest in aligning his upper anterior teeth, but was keen to avoid fixed orthodontics.

Assessment and diagnosis

A comprehensive orthodontic assessment was performed (Table 1), including periapical radiographs.

 

Table 1:

Skeletal	Mild Class II
FMPA	Average
Lower Face Height	Average
Facial Asymmetry	None
Soft tissues	Normal smile line. Minor plaque build up
Overjet	None
Overbite	60% overlap of incisors
Crossbite	None
Displacement on closure	None
Incisor Relationship	Class II Division I
Molar relationship	Right Class II ½	Left Class II ½
Canine Relationship	Right Class II ½	Left Class II ½
Teeth Present	87654321	12345678
	7654321	1234567
Centrelines	Coincident

 

The main problem in need of address was the mild Class II skeletal relationship. All possible treatment options were discussed with the patient, including gold standard fixed orthodontic treatment – which he still declined. He was happy to accept a minor compromise in order to proceed with removable appliances (Table 2).

Table 2:

Problem List

Class II relationship

Ideal Treatment – Aims:

Create ideal Class I incisor/canine/molar relationship Create ideal archform

Compromised Treatment – Aims:

Align the teeth, retaining anterior teeth in both arches Accept incisor/molar positions

 

Planning

The treatment plan involved following the ABB (Align, Bleach and bond) concept. We would use the Inman Aligner to straighten the upper dentition and the ClearSmile Aligner Light to straighten the lower, followed by whitening and composite edge bonding to improve the colour and shape of the teeth for the very best functional and aesthetic outcome.

Spacewize™+ and Archwize™ crowding calculations were performed to predict the amount of space that may need to be created. These suggested a total of approximately 0.6mm was needed in the upper arch and 0.7mm in the lower arch, confirming the Inman Aligner and ClearSmile Aligner Light to be suitable appliances for this case.

Treatment provision

Appointment	Progress
1	Assessment, photographs, impressions and medical history taken. After the appointment, the case was posted on the support forum.
2 (week 0)	Fitted upper Inman Aligner, placing a composite anchor on UR1. Interproximal reduction (IPR) and predictive proximal reduction (PPR) were performed, fluoride applied and the patient was given oral care advice with instructions on how to place and remove appliance.
3 & 4 (weeks 2 & 4)	IPR and PPR performed as needed, photos taken, fluoride applied and bows/springs were checked on the Inman Aligner.
5 (week 6)	IPR and PPR performed on upper arch, photos taken, fluoride applied and bows/springs checked. Lower #1 ClearSmile Aligner Light fitted, composite anchor placed on LR2 and required lower IPR performed.
6 (week 8)	Upper: IPR and PPR performed, fluoride applied and bow/springs checked. Lower: IPR performed and changed to #2 aligner. Patient was given #3 and #4 due to upcoming summer holidays – he was instructed to change aligners every 10 days.
7 (week 10)	Upper: IPR and PPR performed, photos taken, fluoride applied and bows/springs checked. A buccal composite anchor was placed on UR2 and the buccal bow was tightened.
8 (week 11/12)	Upper: refiners only needed to complete alignment. Lower: alignment complete. Upper and lower impressions taken.
9	Upper: Composite anchors placed on canines to encourage final movements and minor IPR performed. Lower: Fixed retainer bonded. Patient given instructions for at home day bleaching with individual trays.
10	Impression taken for upper bonded retainer.
11	Upper bonded retainer fitted. Edge bonding performed on the lower incisors. Impressions taken of both arches for Essix retainers.
12	All edge bonding was polished and the patient was given the Essix retainers to wear at night.

 

Case Appraisal / Discussion

For this case, we were able to deliver safe and predictable treatment thanks to use of 3D planning technologies and on-going mentorship from the IAS forum. It was also very ethical, with no drilling or loss of natural tooth structure. Alignment followed by whitening and edge bonding ensures an aesthetic and functional outcome, helping to reduce further incisal wear in the future. All-in-all, both practitioner and patient were very happy with the outcome of this case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 – Pre treatment smile

 

 

 

 

Figure 2 – Pre treatment anterior

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3 – Pre treatment left lateral

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4 – Pre treatment right lateral

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5 – Pre treatment upper occlusal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 6 – Pre treatment lower occlusal

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 7 – Week 2 of treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 8 – Week 6 of treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 9 – Week 10 of treatment

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 10 – Post treatment smile

 

 

 

 

Figure 11 – Post treatment anterior

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 12 – Post treatment left lateral

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 13 – Post treatment right lateral

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 14 – Post treatment upper occlusal

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 15 – Post treatment lower occlusal

For more information on the appliances and upcoming training courses with IAS Academy, please visit www.iasortho.comor call 0208 916 2024.

 

Author biography:

Dr Solveig Skaar graduated from the University of Bergen in 1998 and purchased her own dental clinic in 2005. Now, she is a member of the Scandinavian Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and has been a certified user of the ClearSmile Inman Aligner since 2013.

At the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019, Dental Focus will be sponsoring three sessions to help professionals improve their management of social media platforms and websites.

Krishan Joshi will present “Attracting private patients for associates: Instagram and personal websites” in the Next Generation Conference, offering a wealth of practical information and advice to help delegates promote their services online in an effective and compliant way.

Sessions by Nazrul Haque and Dominic Haslam will build on this in the Business Skills Workshops, exploring how the world has changed and how online platforms can be utilised to attract new patients.

Register for your free delegate pass online.

 

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 – Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th May – Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

Visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270

or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com