The British Endodontic Society (BES) drew attention at the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS) in Birmingham, on 15 and 16 May. As well as supporting the Clinical Excellence Theatre across the event, and operating a stand that allowed clinicians to find out about educational opportunities offered through the Society, the BES hosted three exceptional clinical talks on key endodontic topics.
Dr Risha Patel, Specialist Endodontist and Honorary Secretary at the BES, first spoke in a session titled “Beyond the file: making irrigation work for you”. Then, Dr Marian Vallina, Specialist Endodontist and Ordinary Member at the BES captured a crowd, with her talk, “Can RCT Wait? A clinical guide to pulp preservation.” Finally, BES President Dr Philip Mitchell presented his lecture, “Failure in endodontics”, to round out the weekend, with dental professionals of all backgrounds having plenty to learn.
Modern irrigation techniques
Irrigation of the root canals is a key part of every endodontic treatment, ensuring bacteria is eliminated and debris can be removed for the greatest possible outcomes. As Dr Risha Patel put it at the start of her lecture, “Shaping is for the dentist, but cleaning (irrigation) is for the patient.”
She went on to explain that around a third of the root canal space is inaccessible with modern dental instruments, making irrigation a vital step for success. Examining the range of solutions available, Dr Patel explored what made the perfect ‘cocktail’ for irrigation, taking into account every step of the routine. This includes the concentration of the irrigant solution, modifiable factors such as its temperature, and the impact of approaches such as active irrigation.
Hypochlorite accidents, rare and potentially devastating incidents in root canal therapy, were also addressed by Dr Patel, who laid out a clear protocol for what to do in such cases.
Attendee Jeremy Boyles said: “It was a very good talk, I thought the insights into heating sodium hypochlorite were really good. I also enjoyed looking at managing extrusions, as it’s not something you think about often.”
In support of vital pulp therapy
The next afternoon, the Clinical Excellence Theatre hosted Dr Marian Vallina and her talk surrounding vital pulp therapy. The minimally invasive view aims to reduce the incidence of root canal treatment, and has become increasingly viable with time. Dr Vallina explained how vital pulp therapy has previously been known to weaken adjacent pulp tissue, potentially causing irreversible inflammation and necrosis. However, the tissue below can still be recovered, encouraging treatment that maximises the conservation of the original tooth structure.
She went on to investigate how clinicians can identify when vital pulp treatment is suitable, with effective endodontic diagnosis and the help of thermal and electropulp testing. With new classifications being adopted by some clinicians, including clinical factors separating mild and severe pulpitis, Dr Vallina went further to explain the effective techniques that could be used by professionals upon their return to practice, in turn preserving vitality in many future cases.
“Going through the case selection was good,” said attendee Lynn Woo. “This has been my third endodontic lecture so far here, and it has really expanded and reinforced by knowledge.”
Failure as a learning tool
Closing out the BES’s lecture offering for the weekend, Dr Philip Mitchell asked his crowd if we could redefine failure, and emphasised the relationship it has with both time and expectations. He also looked at it as an essential learning tool in endodontics, identifying how professionals can examine their errors – and those of others – to better their clinical skills.
This included an exploration of past clinical cases, including one where a patient had received endodontic treatment, and gone home with a temporary cantilever bridge restoration but never returned for the permanent bridge. When they visited again a decade later without complaints, the same restoration was still in place. Dr Mitchell questioned whether the case still be considered a failure?
“I think an important thing to talk about when we’re discussing success and failure is longevity,” he said. “As we have said before, it is the endo that gives you the short-term success, and the restoration that gives you the long-term success.”
Attendee Ahmed Wasly said after the talk: ”I enjoyed it, it gave great insight into why endodontic failures happen, and effective case selection.”
Explore more with the BES
The BES is a specialism society, as opposed to a specialist society, meaning members are not required to be specialist endodontists.
Instead, clinicians of all backgrounds with a passion for endodontics can come together in Oxford, on 20 and 21 November, for the 2026 Regional Meeting. Titled “The impossible is nothing: pushing the limits of endodontic treatment”, the event will bring some of the most insightful clinicians in endodontic care together for world-class lectures, a trade show and table clinics.
Members also have access to many more annual educational and networking events, which encourage professional learning and the creation of a tight-knit endodontic community. You can learn more about membership benefits when you contact the BES team today.
For more information about the BES, or to join, please visit the website www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk or call 07762945847
