Smiling By Design – Dr Christian Coachman at the BACD 2014 Conference

Whether you are passionate about cosmetic dentistry or just want to keep up to date with exciting developments in the industry, the 2014 BACD Annual conference is the place to be. This year’s Conference will be taking place between Thursday 6^th November and Saturday 8th November at the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool, alongside the famous Mersey riverfront, and close to Tate Liverpool.

The focus of this year’s Conference is “Life LIKE aesthetics”. Those who attended last year’s BACD Conference may recall the theme was “Evolution of the smile” and this theme is echoed on Friday 7^th November this year in one of the many lectures that will be taking place. Presented by Dr. Christian Coachman, his all-day lecture “The smile designer: a new speciality beyond conventional dentistry” will explore the exciting new concept of Digital Smile Design which has been developed by Dr. Coachman.

Communication is a vital part of life and something we spend a lot of time doing, both with and without words. Non-verbal communication is all around us in gestures, body movement and of course, facial expressions.[1] Our expressions are an important way of communicating emotions and how we may relate to others. A baby’s first smile can produce tears of parental joy, while throughout our lives a smile can mean many different things.

Dr. Coachman, well known for his work in digital smile design, feels “there are not many things in life more important than a healthy natural, confident and beautiful smile!” As a dentist, dental technician and lecturer, Dr Coachman advocates a new and “more humanistic, emotional and artistic” face of dentistry. His approach is based not only on planning and design, but on improved communications between both specialists, and specialists and patients.

After graduating in dental technology in 1995, and then in Dentistry in 2002 at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, Dr Coachman has worked internationally. This year he will be travelling globally to destinations ranging from Russia to Japan, delivering lectures and courses on Digital Smile Design. Dr Coachman has described the DSD concept as -

“The concept aims to assist the dentist in three aspects. To improve the aesthetic planning and smile design, to improve communication between specialists involved and to also improve communication with the patient, increasing their participation on the designing process of their own smile design, motivating and educating them about the benefits of the treatment and increasing the case acceptance”.

Acknowledging that patients want smiles that not only integrate physically but are “also in harmony with their emotional aspects” the DSD concept harnesses technology readily available in most practices. It also brings together the various specialists involved to ensure the best aesthetic result.

Using digital photography and video, the patient’s face is analysed with a view to ascertaining the “ideal smile”. A presentation is then prepared using software (Keynote for Mac or Powerpoint for PC) enabling practitioners to work together and with the patient. Dr. Coachman observes: “The fundamental question is: what the patient wants to express with their smile? We can create different smile designs, each one with a specific character. The key is in discovering what is the design that will harmonize with the morphopsychological aspects of the patient.” Once the ideal smile has been agreed, a wax-up is produced to aid the design process prior to treatment.

Teamwork in all walks of life is important and for the dental team this is especially so. Indeed, the General Dental Council 2013 Standards for the Dental Team says professionals must “Work effectively with your colleagues and contribute to good teamwork.” Dr Coachman’s DSD techniques recognise the importance of both teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach between both professionals and the professional-patient relationship – an approach which he considers can help to produce a result meeting the patient’s needs as well as their emotional and aesthetic requirements.

If you would like to join this fascinating one-day lecture on Digital Smile Design, you can register and book a place by going to the BACD’s website at www.bacd.com.  Dr. Coachman says:

“I am looking forward to attending the BACD Annual Conference and the opportunity to share my ideas and concepts. My all-day lecture on the Digital Smile Design process will show how we can move beyond conventional dentistry by not only improving the aesthetic planning of smile design, but in improving communication between specialists and patients too, resulting in better case management.” 

The BACD Annual Conference is a great way to meet like-minded professionals, keep up-to-date, hear lectures presented by notable speakers, enjoy hands-on sessions and discover information about developments in the profession. Make sure you put the BACD dates in your diary and come along and participate on the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th November 2014. 

For further information 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.bacdconference.co.uk