Master 3D smile design

Based at HRS Dental Care, an amalgam-free private practice in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Dr Neil Harris champions a technologically-driven workflow, having delivered fully digital treatments since 2017. Focusing on dental implants and restorative, orthodontic, and full mouth rehabilitation treatments, Neil is a leading clinician in cosmetic dentistry.

Having been a part of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) for 20 years, joining in 2006 and acting on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2014, Neil reflects on his long-standing membership:

“The BACD is the number one organisation in the UK for giving dentists the knowledge, confidence and skills to produce high quality cosmetic dentistry. It provides the necessary training and CPD opportunities that instantly improve the clinical delivery of cosmetic dentistry, and a network of fellow professionals that are always willing to help and share ideas.

“Of particular note is the Accreditation pathway, which enables dental professionals to become fully recognised as one of the cosmetic dentistry masters in the UK and abroad. But most importantly, the BACD is an encouraging and fun environment in which like-minded dental professionals are able to discuss, debate and improve cosmetic treatment workflows for patients, clinicians and technicians.”

Sprint to print

A calendar high point for cosmetic dentists is the BACD 22^nd Annual Conference, which will be held at the Royal College of Physicians, London, on 13-14 November 2026. The 2-day programme revolves around the theme “Future Frontiers in Cosmetic Dentistry” and will balance workshops, lectures, a trade show and excellent networking events.

Amidst the varied educational programme, Neil will deliver a hands-on workshop, titled “From Concept to ‘Wow’: The Future of Smile Design with CAD and 3D Printed Trial Smiles”. Having routinely used 3D printing within his practice for almost a decade, Neil is a key opinion leader for SprintRay and Exocad, utilising their 3D printers and software respectively to design and produce a range of restorations, surgical guides, clear aligners, and more. Supported by SprintRay and ESM Digital, the session is an unmissable way of levelling up your skills within a digital workflow – Neil addresses its content:

“For years, dentists have utilised specialist dental imaging and videography to transpose smiles, allowing patients to view their predicted smile. Technology and software have continued to evolve within dentistry and it is now possible to 3D print additive veneers in a ‘trial smile’, allowing the patient to truly evaluate how the new smile will look, and also enabling the clinician to make adjustments before commencing with any laboratory or clinical work.

“During the workshop we will work through an additive case for a patient. This entails:

Completing a traditional smile design.
Using Exocad Smile Creator software to convert the 2D proposal into a printable 3D mesh.
Printing the 3D smile design on SprintRay 3D printers.
Putting the case onto models for adjustment and finishing.

“The workshop explores the digital smile design workflow, demonstrating how traditional smile planning can be enhanced using CAD software and 3D printing. Participants will learn how to convert 2D smile designs into printable 3D trial smiles, enabling improved patient communication, treatment planning, consent, and predictable aesthetic outcomes. I hope that dental professionals who attend will walk away with new skills and a stronger understanding of how they can optimise their daily workflow, leading to exceptional patient care.”

More than just education

The Annual Conference is an excellent event to connect with peers, learn new treatment techniques, and expose yourself to the innovative new technologies and products that are shaping the future of cosmetic dentistry. Being held at the Royal College of Physicians further reinforces the BACD as a source of scientific interest, with cutting-edge education placed at the forefront of the Conference.

For added spectacle and networking value, the BACD Gala Dinner will be held on Friday 13 November. An evening spent enjoying quality food and drinks and winding down in between the educational sessions demands a first-class location – look no further than One Marylebone, a flagship location for luxury occasions that promises an unmissable social event.

Don’t miss out on all the excitement of the BACD 22^nd Annual Conference, including Neil’s workshop, which will take place on Saturday 14 November and has 18 spaces available. The early bird catches the worm – book now!