Education and inspiration with the BACD

Education and inspiration – the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference

This November, delegates from across the profession met at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel to attend the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference. The event featured a packed lecture line-up over three days, with lectures on topics including smile design, clinical photography, digital dentistry and marketing. There was also a selection of hands-on sessions, as well as a trade exhibition and the chance to take part in a special Accreditation Workshop for dental lab technicians, hosted by Luke Barnett.

Joined-up thinking

The BACD was founded in 2003, and has seen a great many changes come upon the profession in that time. A key element of the BACD’s success has been the emphasis it places on high quality education and excellence in clinical practise. For dental lab technicians in particular, the BACD has been a strong proponent of strengthening relationships between dentists and technicians, recognising the valuable role technicians play within the profession.

This point was emphasised by BACD President Julian Caplan in his opening address to delegates. In his speech Julian Caplan spoke about the tremendous progress that the Academy has made in reaching out to the profession, while also making great strides with the dental schools, where the BACD now has a strong presence. The BACD has also been instrumental in creating a structured career pathway within the field of cosmetic dentistry. The BACD Accreditation process – open to dentists and technicians alike – has become the new benchmark for quality within cosmetic dentistry and is an achievable qualification to which all dentists and technicians can aspire.

Education for all

To open the event’s official programme, past-President Chris Orr gave a fascinating lecture on ‘Perspectives in cosmetic dentistry’. In broad ranging presentation, he described many of the changes that have impacted on the dental profession over the last 10 years, including advances in materials science and a shift towards minimally-invasive techniques. Other highlights of the three-day conference included Galip Gurel’s excellent lecture on ‘Esthetic dentistry in the digital era’, and a series of marketing and business-focussed lectures from Rita Zamora, Chris Baker and others.

The Technicians’ Accreditation Workshop also proved popular, with Luke Barnett discussing the types of cases that technicians need to complete in order to achieve BACD Accreditation status. There was also a return of the popular ‘Pearls for Members’ section, which featured short lectures from Michael Cahill and Stephen Lander among others – again showing the BACD’s commitment to strengthening the relationships between clinical and technical side of the dental profession.

Looking ahead

The BACD’s 10th Annual Conference was an excellent showcase for the very best that cosmetic dentistry has to offer. By bringing together a strong mix of lectures, hands-on sessions, a trade exhibition and social events, delegates left having enjoyed three days of high quality learning and networking with like-minded colleagues from across the profession.

For more information on future events contact the BACD today. The BACD’s next Annual Conference ‘Life LIKE Aesthetics’ will take place on the 6th, 7th and 8th of November 2014, at the ACC Liverpool. For more information, and for all the latest news, visit www.bacd.com.

For further information about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, call 0207 612 4166, fax 0207 182 7123, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.bacd.com