BSPD ‘Right Care at the Right Time’ focus at 2024 Cardiff conference
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 27th September 2024
The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) saw members gather in their numbers at the Society’s Annual Scientific Conference at Cardiff University which focused this year on the ‘Right Care at the Right Time.’
The Society’s incoming President, Dr Shannu Bhatia, who took over the role from Professor Paula Waterhouse, opened the two-day conference on 12th September with her welcome to delegates that set out her vision for securing the long-term future of the dentistry workforce whilst delivering high quality patient care.
The profession is familiar with the concept of delivering the right care at the right time meaning making sure patients are guided down the best clinical pathway to give them the right interventions, in a timely manner – near their home. However, for Dr Bhatia this strapline has an additional meaning with timely, appropriate patient care of course being fundamental, but this must be alongside ensuring the mental and physical well-being of trainees and staff who are tomorrow’s dentists.
Shannu Bhatia & Paula Waterhouse
Conference highlights included:
Right Care for Caries
The conference heard from Dr Margherita Fontana, Professor, University of Michigan, US and Professor Nicola Innes, Cardiff University on how embracing Minimally Invasive Dentistry approaches (MID) in the States and in the UK can improve patients’ long-term outcomes.
Beyond Inhalation Sedation
Dr Prabhleen Anand, Eastman Dental Hospital, London took the audience through the range of sedation options beyond inhalation sedation, looking at key consideration factors and the benefits of each, in terms of their relevance to paediatric dentistry and young patients.
Working in Partnership
BSPD’s DCP Member (Co-opted), Leigh Ann Randell, Clinical Lecturer, Dental Therapist, University of Liverpool presented to the auditorium’s broad range of dentistry professionals how running a smart and efficient practice could include working with Dental Therapists, whose training has evolved to allow them to take on approximately 70% of the procedures that Dentists can provide, including clinical skills such as inhalation sedation and treatment of MIH paediatric patients. Leigh Ann explained that a ‘working in partnership’ approach can ensure the burden is shared and the right care delivered in a timely manner for patients.
Trauma-informed Care in Children’s Dentistry
On the Friday, conference attendees heard an inspiring presentation entitled ‘The role of trauma-informed care in children’s dentistry’ from Christina Worle and Mick Allen, Consultant / Hon. Senior Lecturer in Sedation and Special Care Dentistry and Vale UHB / Cardiff University. This presentation supports the concept of ensuring the right care at the right time through aiming to work in a trauma-informed way by being aware and sympathetic to a patient’s past experiences.
My Own Lived Experience
A stand-out presentation from the second day of the conference was a session from professional Autism Speaker, Robert Parton. Robert shared his lived experience, helping the Society’s audience understand what the experience of going to the dentist can feel like, giving tips and advice on how best to approach neurodivergent patients. Robert engaged the audience who asked many questions as he closed – and he finished his presentation with comedy sketches which had the audience laughing out loud!
Awards and poster prizes
After the presentations, the results of the much anticipated awards and poster prize presentations were announced by Dr Rohini Mohan, Chair of the Local Organising Committee. The results are as follows:
Research Prize sponsored by Consultants in Paediatric Dentistry Group:
R6: Blending health and design: a resource for young people with needle fear Fiona Sotir, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England
Clinical Case Prize sponsored by RA Medical:
CC2: Saving The Unsavable: Management of a Traumatised Tooth With The Benex System Nicola Gallacher, Birmingham Dental Hospital, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Highly Commended: CC4: Talons and Tubercles: Surgical and Restorative Management of a Dens Evaginatus Case Claire O’Reilly, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Jane Goodman Clinical Governance Prize:
CG5: Establishing a Pathway for Paediatric Patients Presenting with Orofacial Granulomatosis Vikash Patel, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Poster Prize:
PP2: Innovative Solutions for tackling Children’s Oral Health: Introducing Child-Focused Dental Practices (CFDP) Dr Gulshana Choudhury, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH and PP6: Defying the odds: Long-term dental impact of infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia Christopher Wallace, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
DCP Poster Prize:
DCPP3: Clinical audit of neonate and Infant referrals for ankyloglossia in South-West Wales Nathan Morrison, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, Wales
Undergraduate Students Poster Prize:
UGPP4: Evaluation of Widening Participation Residential Dental Summer School Amir Mukhtar, University of Liverpool, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Reflecting on the conference, BSPD’s incoming President, Dr Shannu Bhatia said: “The Right Care, at the Right Time’ ambition came through loud and strong as I listened to the presentations. From ensuring the right environment for children in child-focused practices, to striving for minimally invasive dentistry approaches, we can aim to deliver the best and kindest care for our young patients.
“However, the ‘Right Care, at the Right Time’ has always been for me as much about supporting the well-being of the dental workforce, as it is about ensuring good patient care. The individuals in our workforce are crucial to what we do and what we can achieve for patients – that’s why I was so delighted to hear from experts within our membership about how we can work in partnership to support our teams.”
