We enjoyed an extremely busy couple of days at the Dentistry Show on Friday and Saturday in Birmingham. This year we didn’t have a stand, so we did a lot of walking, talking and listening of course…...

A few initial thoughts and products that caught the eye:-

The Full Picture

In a room of a few thousand people, it always intrigues me the different impressions people get from the show. “Fantastic show”, “our stand has been so busy” “selling loads of gear” and then you move about 3 feet to the next stand and the reaction is totally different “waste of time”, “not as busy as last year” “this part of the room isn’t getting any footfall” so when stepping back and looking at the full picture, I reckon it is somewhere in the middle. The show was certainly busy but it is not for everyone.

Takeaway - it is not always about following the crowd. This kind of show works for some companies but not all.

Closer Still

Closer Still Media, have built an amazing business, which is demonstrated by the fact that the show attracts a huge number of exhibitors, speakers and visitors. As you will know from previous blogs, GDPUK have not always had the best experience at the Dentistry Show but we must say that it has a great spirit, atmosphere and 2 days seems a perfect amount of time.

Well done to all the Dentistry Show team and the wider Closer Still Media team which is now over 200 people strong. They obviously understand the formula to produce extremely successful events.

Internet of Things

Last year we reported on Oral-B’s move into connected toothbrushes and now Philips have followed with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart which not only is incredibly smart with its matt black handle, black brush head and charge in glass technology, it also uses connected technology to inspire and motivate patients to take better care of their oral health. I believe it will be available to consumers in the next few months. Great to see dentistry leading the way in connected devices and improving oral-health at the same time.

Good to Great

“Good to Great” is a journey to greater business prosperity for dentists, which has been underpinned in the last 12 months by the introduction of SoE’s Customer Success Programme. (Software of Excellence). The Good to Great Challenge encourages dentists to think more clearly about how they can optimise their performance and maximise revenue and provides a vehicle by which dentists can track and follow the progress of likeminded dental practices. More information available here - http://www.g2gchallenge.com/ 

Will be interesting to see how many practices get involved in this challenge and what affect it has on their practice over the 12 months.

Social

The show is great for networking which is demonstrated by the thousands of people attending and the huge queues at the Starbucks just outside hall 5! I really enjoyed this element of the show, fantastic to catch up with so many people from all areas of the profession.

A few other mentions and thoughts

• The Simply Health juice drinks were delicious and perfect after a few beers on the Friday evening. I am sure anyone who attended the Dental Awards or the Dental Circle party also found those drinks refreshing :)
• Prem at Quick Straight Teeth certainly caught the eye but I know this has been covered elsewhere on social media :)
• The dental industry certainly seemed positive overall, digital is growing. Innovation isn't always the quickest in dentistry compared to other sectors but some of the options and resources available to a dentist just starting their dental practice journey are endless.
• The 3M intraoral mobile tablet scanner is extremely clever and could be excellent for interaction with your patient. Info here.

Thanks for reading and hopefully see you at the BDA Conference in a couple of weeks. Get in touch if you would like to meet up or need some advice on the best restaurants in Manchester.

It’s just two months until BDIA Dental Showcase, the UK’s premier dental trade show, opens its doors for business, so make sure you have registered at www.dentalshowcase.com 

At the NEC in Birmingham between 22^nd and 24^th October, around 350 exhibitors, many launching new products and offering incredible show deals, will be on hand to demonstrate to you and your team the latest innovations in technology, products, techniques and services.  Whether it’s specialist manufacturers, dental suppliers, professional service providers or global brands, the most significant and innovative companies in the dental world see BDIA Dental Showcase as a must-attend event, providing an unparalleled opportunity to ‘See it, try it and buy it’. 

It’s also not just the latest products that you’ll find at BDIA Dental Showcase.  With a comprehensive programme of over 100 mini lectures, seminars and on-stand demonstrations, industry experts and thought-leaders will be sharing their knowledge.  Take a look at the lecture programme and discover the diverse range of subjects covered, from learning new techniques and procedures through to helpful and hands-on business advice that could bring you greater success.

In keeping with the BDIA’s pledge of ‘putting innovation into practice’, there is always something new at Dental Showcase.  For example, this year sees the inaugural Dietary Zone, sponsored by The Dairy Council, which reinforces the link between diet and oral health.

BDIA’s Executive Director Tony Reed said: “Every year BDIA Dental Showcase continues to deliver what attendees want – new products, good deals and an opportunity to broaden knowledge in the CPD verifiable mini lecture sessions.  Many of our visitors come back year after year and use BDIA Dental Showcase as a platform to see new products and learn about what’s new in dentistry.”

So why not join more than 10,000 dental professionals and come along to the dental event of the year!  Registration is simple, just go to: www.dentalshowcase.com, call 01494 782873 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Check out the website for a complete list of exhibitors and the updated lecture programme, you can also download the Showcase app to help you make the most of your visit.

The BDIA represents and supports manufacturers and suppliers of dental products, services and technologies, to the benefit of members, the dental profession and the public.

BDIA members gain access to a range of services designed to benefit them and promote the wellbeing of the industry as a whole and the profession gains the reassurance of dealing with like-minded individuals who are committed to providing a high quality standard of service.

BDIA is a non-profit organisation which means that we dedicate our funds solely for the purpose of developing dentistry for the benefit of our members, the profession and the public.

For further information on BDIA Dental Showcase, follow @dentalshowcase on Twitter or like our Facebook page, ‘BDIA Dental Showcase’.

Contact: Dianne Gettinby, Marketing Manager:

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For more information on the BDIA, please call 01494 782873 or visit www.bdia.org.uk