Event Blog

AGM roundup

Richard Shilling — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:55:00 GMT

The AGM and Presidential meeting rocked this year. Outgoing president Janet Clarke chose to open her speech to the sound of “Don’t stop me now” by Queen, loud enough to make half the audience jump. Her final speech was a gracious one, focussing not only on the pleasure of the past year but also on her appreciation of BDA staff and their support of her. Alison McGee received special praise for her management of the presidential diary and the Events team for what promises to be a fantastic conference.

Incoming president Frank Holloway gave a warm, dry speech reminding members that we have faced tough times before as a profession and have not only persevered but prospered. Drawing on his experiences in the NHS, practice and Armed Forces, we were taken through the 70s recession, imperial retreat and today’s travails.

The AGM was a quieter affair. Peter Ward, almost too ill to take the stage, took members through the Association’s performance; the consultations we have responded to, the level of service provided to members (43% of the membership used BDA helplines over the previous year, most more than once) and its growth (individual member contacts have increased by nearly 40% over two years), and the impact this had on the Association’s finances. Despite pressure on Association income Peter was able to report that the Association had met its budgeted target, making a £100,000 contribution to reserves. Peter also looked to the future. A new governance structure is imminent and the Association has responded to the pressures on its resources brought about by falling income and increasing demand by analysing and consulting on member needs in order to design a new offer that reflects the principles of fairness, simplicity and viability. Peter’s themes were big ones, themes that will determine the fortunes of the BDA over the next few years and ones I expect we will hear much more of over the coming months.

Energy and inspiration on day one

Judith Husband — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:09:00 GMT

Well, Conference has started in earnest now.

After arriving in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon, it was as if Wimpole Street had been moved north! The Events Team were finalising their preparations and our signage had been put in place ready for Thursday . . . . . seeing the Exhibition Hall’s impressive frontage bedecked in the BDA’s Conference logo always fills me with pride and excitement, and this time was no different.

Bright and early on Thursday (OK, “bright” might be going a little far!) I headed for our AGM. The AGM is always enjoyable for two reasons. Firstly, it allows us to say a sincere thank you to Janet as the departing BDA President and of course secondly it offers to chance to warmly welcome Frank as the new holder of the office. I already know that whoever gets to work with Frank over the coming twelve months will find him knowledgeable, able to offer wise counsel and a resolute tower of strength . . . . . no doubt just what’s needed in these turbulent times.

The other event I (of course!) found time for was the Exhibition Hall drinks reception. With the exhibitors making such a large contribution to the financial success of Conference, which in turn impacts on the fortunes of the BDA itself, it’s always good to get feedback from our many partners. Thanks to the Events Team, the feedback was incredibly positive . . . . so congratulations all round!

Finally, I was lucky enough to be in the truly excellent lecture given by Susan Greenfield. The irony of informing you of my attendance whilst typing this blog late at night, having Twittered through the day, isn’t lost on me. In short, Susan suggested amongst other things that we shouldn’t be spending so much time on computers . . . . . which seems, on this occasion, to be an excellent point for me to take my leave!!

Manchester here I come

Judith Husband — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:23:00 GMT

Like all those attending the BDA’s 2012 Conference in Manchester this year, I travel from my particular part of the UK in the knowledge that the investment in high quality educational and inspiration lectures is actually real value . . . . . . and of course incredibly enjoyable!

This conference has been in the planning stage for a very long time – it certainly doesn’t seem like three years ago that the Executive Board discussed the idea of holding consecutive conferences in Manchester.

Those debates and hours of planning meetings with our BDA Events team and Conference Planning Committee are now a fading memory . . . . . as it’s only a matter of hours until I arrive in Manchester, with many of the team already there. The city is a fantastic location (certainly one of my favourite UK cities, in fact I once saw it referred to as “Barcelona with rain”!) easy to access by road, rail and plane with a huge selection of hotels for any budget. Most importantly, Manchester possesses the stunning state of the art facility – the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

So after long days in surgery and having tied up all those loose ends, the clothing deliberations have been completed (had to get that in!) and final preparations for my role chairing sessions is complete . . . . the anticipation is really building. It’s certainly exciting and more than a little nerve racking to be chairing the Friday morning plenary session with John Kanca III joining us from Connecticut USA. We’ll be in the Exchange Hall with a capacity of 1600 – he’s popular, so get there early!

There is just so much to choose from in this year’s conference it’s really important to do a little homework and plan your time. Wherever Conference is, I always like to take time to explore the whole of the facility. It’s time well spent looking at all the options and making this your conference, matched to your interests and educational requirements.

Inevitably (this is me, after all!) we know that all work and no play isn’t healthy, so make sure you join us for the some (all?!) of the social events

If you use Twitter, do follow and use #BDA2012 as it’s a fantastic way of keeping up with Conference on a minute by minute basis. OK . . . . next job on my list for today is to figure out Instagram to upload all my photos to the website – wish me luck!!

72 hours in Manchester and counting down

Janet Clarke — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:10:00 GMT

I’ve been attending the British Dental Conference and Exhibition for many years, but somehow, each year seems to get even better than the last. And I can say I’m just as excited about 2012, even though last year was an amazing year for me, as I was inaugurated as BDA President, a great honour to be given and a big responsibility to represent the profession at a national and international level, which I’ve really enjoyed.

The past year has seen me travelling all over the UK, talking to colleagues and finding out the issues facing the profession across the board. When I took on the Presidency, I really wanted to ensure that people understand that the BDA is more than just a journal, and to ‘set a president’ (pun intended!) for the profession, showing that you only get out of the BDA what you put in, and attending events and conferences are a such an important part of learning what the big issues are, as well as getting your own voice heard.

And this year, the programme looks as packed as ever and with some exciting new innovations, so I think I’m going to enjoy it just as much. There is also the added benefit of a handy new conference website for 2012, which has the ability to organise your sessions prior to the event using an online calendar, book meetings with supplier and to link up with colleagues.

My conference will start off by attending the Presidential Meeting first thing on Thursday morning, where I’ll be handing over the office of President to Frank Holloway and wishing him all the best in his new role.

Then I’m looking forward to hearing keynote speaker, Professor Susan Greenfield addressing the delegates on Thursday mid-morning. It will be a hard act to follow after Paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson’s rousing and emotional motivational speech in 2011, but as Susan is a leader in the scientific field, I’m sure she’ll have some very interesting insights into how we can all achieve more, if we put our minds to it.

Some amazing international speakers have also been lured to address dentists this side of the pond. Dr John Kanca III is a leading expert in adhesive dentistry and one of the great pioneers in dental techniques, so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to see him speak on Friday morning.

As well as topping up on my CPD, I’ll be attending the Community Dental Services Group meeting focusing on special tips for special patients on Thursday afternoon, and a session on safeguarding vulnerable children on Saturday morning. In between, I’ll be doing whistle stop tours of the massive exhibition to find out what’s new and finishing up at the BDA stand to rest my feet and catch up with other BDA officers.

And as the sun goes down, there’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new at the various social events taking place over the three days. I’ll be attending the Exhibition Hall drinks reception on Thursday night, the Friday night party which this year features the tribute band Killer Queen and the Saturday night Gala dinner taking place at the iconic Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel in the presence of Kevin Connelly, he of BBC’s Dead Ringer’s fame. Although I’m not sure I have enough outfits to keep up with such a social schedule, so I might just have a good excuse to find some spare time to wander into central Manchester to hit the shops and soak up a little bit of the cultural delights the city has to offer.

So join us at the 2012 conference. It gives you a great opportunity to engage with your professional association: you’ll definitely learn something new; get an opportunity to catch up with old friends; quiz suppliers on their latest products and services; share experiences with colleagues, and also have a lot of fun whilst doing it. I know I will

Personal Diary/Reflections on BDA Conference

Site Admin — Sun, 22 May 2011 09:07:00 GMT

Arriving into Piccadilly on the train was like a trip down memory lane for me. I took the opportunity to wander through the streets to the Free Trade Hall, sorry the Radisson Hotel. It is strange as this is the venue I saw the Police and Elvis Costello...(read more)

Practical practice tips

Site Admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 14:30:00 GMT

This is the first year I've chaired sessions at the conference and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. On Thursday I hosted two talks in the DCP lecture theatre, one on allergies and allergic reactions and one on objective monitoring of plaque...(read more)

'Motivational interviewing' key to changing patient behaviour, delegates hear

Site Admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:51:00 GMT

Patients have different needs and expectations which dental care professionals must understand if they are to change their behaviour, Vesna Ziivojinovic-Toumba of the University of Belgrade told delegates at the British Dental Conference and Exhibition...(read more)

In Review - Your views on Andrew Lansley and the future of dentistry

Site Admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 10:54:00 GMT

" I don't feel Andrew Lansley really gave any concrete answers, but it sounds like they are moving in the right direction. My future as a dentist is unsure, I donít know how much it will change from now, but I hope I have a good future''...(read more)

Session Review - Tooth Wear – More To It Than Fizzy Drinks

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:30:00 GMT

There are innumerable causes of tooth wear and thanks to a whistle stop tour of the major points of this extremely complex subject from Alex Milosevich DCP's attending his lecture now know that herbal teas, baked beans, orange juice and pickles...(read more)

Busy busy sessions!

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:10:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media) ...read more...(read more)

Prevention of Tooth Wear - Live Blog!

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:49:00 GMT

Fizzy drinks and herbal teas, orange juice, baked beans , pickles all bad for your teeth because acid causes erosion. Titratable acidity & pH levels are important measures in content Important to find out from patients...(read more)

BDA TV - Watch this space....

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:04:00 GMT

Our new president Janet Clarke taking some time out to film an interview in our very own TV studio here at conference. Watch this space... ...read more...(read more)

Session Review - The Developing Role of DCP’s - Slow Progress

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:52:00 GMT

A heartfelt plea for speeding up progress came from Margaret Ross, Programme Director, Edinburgh Postgraduate Dental Institute in her seminar on the education, role and future impact of DCP's . While dentistry is slowly catching up with medicine...(read more)

Session Review - Early Presentation and Detection of Oral Cancer

Site Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:23:00 GMT

Leading expert in research on early cancer diagnosis, Suzanne Scott had a capacity audience to hear details of her work, which have particular reference to oral cancers. The major problem is lack of knowledge about the existence of oral cancers...(read more)