Dear Colleagues
I hope this finds you well and that you have all had a fantastic summer.
I am looking forward to my second “attempt” at a year as Chair of the BDA’s Bromley and Beckenham Section, the previous one having been rudely interrupted by a certain Coronavirus whilst on its world tour. I can’t believe that was nearly six years ago!
Thank you, once again, for allowing me the honour and privilege of being your Chair for the next year.
I hope that you enjoy and benefit from the educational programme that I have planned for the 2025-2026 academic session, I have tried to make this as relevant to general dental practice as possible and am hoping that the programme will encourage new colleagues to attend, more of that, later!
Following feedback from members, meetings this season will alternate between Tuesdays and Thursdays to make it easier for colleagues to attend. The Christmas meeting in December and the AGM in May will both include a two-course meal, while all other evenings will be lecture-only with refreshments. As last year, evenings will begin with registration at 18:45, followed by the meal at 19:30 and the lecture with Q&A at 20:45 (1 hour CPD). Lecture-only evenings will run from 18:45 registration, with the lecture and Q&A starting at 19:30 (1 hour CPD).
We start on Tuesday 14 October and I am delighted to welcome my long-time friend and colleague Neil Shah to talk to us about Oral cancer: Lessons in early diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. In November, Daniel Flynn, Specialist Endodontist, will speak about Endodontic updates: From vital pulp therapy to apical microsurgery having seen the learning objectives of his presentation I guarantee that it is not one to miss.
I particularly enjoy the December/Christmas meeting, and I think you will all agree that, difficult quizzes aside, we have had some fantastic speakers for this event. This year I have convinced my friend and former colleague Luke Cascarini to deliver the lecture, he is a very talented surgeon but is also passionate about education and a great orator, subject to be confirmed so keep an eye on the BDA website.
Into January 2026 and we will have a presentation from our own Bizhan Shokouhi: Management of extraction sockets: Natural healing, ridge preservation or immediate implants. I have asked my orthodontic colleague Ahmed Din to discuss Surgery first orthognathic treatment in February, Luke Williams will join us in March to talk about the Diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions and in April, Francine Ryba will give a presentation about Minimally invasive salivary gland surgery.
In my previous chairman’s letter, I set a challenge for every existing member to introduce a new member to the section. I’m not sure that it was a roaring success, so I am going to reissue the challenge for this term. The BDA still recognise that they are failing to engage with newly qualified dentists, I think the reasons for this are complex but let’s see what we can achieve!
With kind regards and best wishes for a successful, uninterrupted year!
Philip Stenhouse
Chair 2025-2026
Bromley and Beckenham Section
