Learning from the best
As soon as one begins their training to become a dental professional, they understand this will never really have an end point during their career. The natural skills involved in being a dentist have to be accompanied by continual education and ongoing learning to ensure that new techniques and materials are kept abreast off, resulting in the optimum care provided to patients.
Additionally, patients are becoming more aware of the treatment options available to them and consequently more demanding of the results that they receive. They know that they can choose which dentist to go to depending on the treatment that they require, and often carry out extensive research to ensure that they choose the best. There are a number of ways to differentiate yourself from the other practice down the road; one of which includes subscribing to a specialist academy. By marketing this membership to your existing and potential patients, you are showing your commitment to your education, an outstanding quality of service provision and the dedication that your patients are looking for.
Your time is valuable – choose wisely
They say nothing beats face-to-face interaction and this is most certainly true when it comes to education. The academy that you choose to join will depend on the education avenues available from them, so you need to ensure that you select the one that suits your learning needs the most. However, the choice of academies to join and their educational conferences to attend is vast and confusing. Your time is very valuable, to both you and your patients, so it is important to choose wisely.
A worthwhile academy should offer the latest in education, career support, assistance to find more patients and value for money. The larger academies in the industry will hold an annual conference that should be a high point of your yearly membership. The most prestigious conferences offer internationally recognised experts in their field, meaning you can remain close to home, but find out about techniques and developments from all around the world. You usually watch a series of lectures and participate in hands-on workshops on a range of topics by highly regarded opinion leaders and there is the opportunity to ask questions and get answers from the experts.
It’s not what you know, but who you know
Another important aspect of attending the most high profile of annual conferences is networking. At these events you can meet old and current acquaintances and catch-up on their most recent news. But, you also get to the chance to meet new peers and opinion leaders that have similar professional interests to you and can become an important mentor within your career.
It is only at some of the better conferences that you can get access to the speakers on a one-to-one basis. This allows you to seek valuable career advice from them, clinical case counsel, get suggestions on specialist courses to attend and hear their experiences with particular products and materials. This is most definitely valuable time well spent!
The most talked about conference of the year!
The most influential conference in the aesthetic dentistry calendar is no doubt the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (BACD) Annual Conference in November. As always, the 2015 event it is expected to be one of the most talked about conferences of the year! For the last 12 years, the BACD has staged professional educational conferences that have attracted the most eminent of dental professionals offering their insights into their specialist topics.
This year the conference is titled, ‘The Aesthetic Equilibrium’ and it seeks to achieve harmony between biology, science, technical aspects, aesthetics and mechanics, as well as balancing the patient’s emotional, financial and clinical needs. By using the finest national and international speakers, the BACD hopes the topics will inspire you and offer an insight on how to achieve this balance. The speakers are also very approachable and will be happy to offer advice and recommendations; a trait thought to be quite unique to this particular conference.
Further still, there will be trade representatives present to provide demonstrations and advice on the latest equipment and materials, as well as offering special offers and prices. There is something for everyone at the BACD Annual Conference, so bring along other team members to optimise the opportunity; there will be something for everyone.
The BACD’s 12th Annual Conference runs from 12th - 14th November 2015 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166.