South West Dental Conference

Please email [email protected] with any dietary requirements.

Refreshment breaks and lunch is included for this event. 

08:30   Registration, refreshments and exhibition

09:00   Start of conference

17:00   Ends

 

Say it simply: mastering communication for patient trust and team harmony in dental practice

Aim

This lecture aims to help young dentists develop clear, patient-focused communication skills, adapt to diverse needs including neurodivergence, and improve team handovers for a smoother, more connected practice experience.

Learning objectives

• Use simple, jargon-free language to build patient trust
• Avoid “banned words” that confuse or disengage patients
• Tailor communication using personality profiling, including for neurodivergent patients
• Improve patient experience through small communication changes
• Ensure clear handovers between clinical team and front desk
• Reflect on habits to enhance team and patient interactions.

Laura Horton, Patient Experience and Practice Growth Expert

 

Preparing for success – crowns, onlays and modern adhesive workflows for predictable, long-lasting restorations

Aim
To tackle the everyday questions in cuspal coverage: when to choose an onlay or crown, how much reduction is enough and how to keep restorations on – using cases to explore prep, capture, and bonding with modern ceramics.

Learning objectives

• Explain when an onlay or a crown is most appropriate in clinical situations
• Describe ideal preparation design and reduction for each restoration type
• Compare the strengths and limitations of polyvinyl siloxane impressions and intraoral scanning
• Outline adhesive protocols for contemporary ceramic materials.

Learning content
Case-based lecture covering restoration choice, preparation principles, traditional vs digital impression techniques, and bonding strategies for modern ceramics – practical knowledge for more predictable crowns and onlays.

Josh Sharpling, Specialist Prosthodontist, South Coast Dental Specialists, RIPEGlobal

 

Update on medical and pharmaceutical challenges in 21st century dental practice

Aim
This course provides an up-to-date review of medical conditions and pharmaceutical issues impacting 21st-century dental practice, equipping clinicians with the knowledge to deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care.

Learning objectives

• Identify key medical conditions influencing dental care in modern practice
• Assess the impact of common and emerging medications on oral health
• Apply safe management strategies for medically complex patients
• Integrate current guidelines into patient assessment and treatment planning.

Learning content
An evidence-based review of current medical and pharmaceutical challenges in dentistry, exploring their impact on patient care, risk management, legal implications and clinical decision-making in 21st-century practice.

Professor StJohn Crean, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), University of Lancashire

 

Marginal gains in endodontics: practical strategies for better outcomes with less risk

Aim
This session will aim to give a clinically relevant steer on marginal gains in endodontics with real-life practical strategies for better outcomes with less risk.

Learning objectives

• Understand the context of restorative failure for endodontically treated teeth
• Understand the challenges of a deep margin for a tooth requiring endodontic treatment
• Understand how instrument choice and design may impact how you shape a root canal
• Learn some small but significant practical clinical tips to shift the balance to better outcomes.

Learning content
Success in endodontics is often determined by a series of small but significant improvements in technique, technology, and clinical decision-making. This presentation explores practical strategies that enhance treatment outcomes while minimising risks, using real-world clinical examples to illustrate their impact. By focusing on achievable marginal gains, we can refine our approach to endodontic care and improve predictability, efficiency, and ultimately patient outcomes.

Jon Cowie, Specialist Endodontist and Director, Circus Dental and
Luca Moranzoni, Specialist Endodontist and Director, Circus Dental

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