Biofilm is responsible for dental and periodontal disease and its effective management becomes more difficult as disease increases in severity. Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) has revolutionized the dental hygiene appointment and provides a framework for effective communication between the dental hygienist, patient and dentist. When patients and dental clinicians have a mutual understanding of disease state and the specific role each have in the promotion on health, overall outcomes are improved.   This lecture will discuss the introduction and implementation of GBT into clinical practice, the indications and benefits for various populations of patients and improved clinical and practice outcomes.

Funding for this session is provided by EMS

It is acknowledged that patient behaviour can impact oral health outcomes and, given the recent and ongoing dental landscape, patients have had to take even more responsibility for their own health. This, in turn, has created increased opportunities for engagement around oral health behaviour change. Dental hygienists are often on the front lines helping patients manage this behaviour change so understanding the mechanisms underpinning behaviour change is essential for success.

Oral health behaviour change is gaining momentum with a number of established behaviour change theories, frameworks and techniques. As in other health disciplines, within oral health, connected technologies can act as drivers to support and sustain changes in behaviours. With a variety of technologies on hand, the application of behaviour change theories, frameworks and techniques through the lens of connected technologies in increasing patient motivation for improved oral health will be discussed.

Connected technologies transform oral and overall health by helping to improve clinical outcomes and deliver personalised experiences. These technologies can enhance our understanding of clinical and patient-reported outcomes in the area of oral health improvement and personalized prevention.

This session will conclude with a forward-look to the future of connected oral health and the emerging opportunities in areas such as the triangulation of oral health data with other health metrics, the relationship between oral-systemic health and the drive to elevate oral health as an essential part of health and wellbeing. It will be discussed how hygienists can play a key role in behaviour change and adoption of connected technologies.

Funding for this session is supported by Colgate-Palmolive.

The pathophysiology of the substantive tissue damage seen in periodontitis involves a paradigm comprising a dysbiotic biofilm leading to an exaggerated host immune-inflammatory response. As a result, a shift in contemporary research towards therapies modulating the individual’s host response has been evident in recent years.

It is well established that there is a bidirectional link between periodontitis and diabetes. Poor glycaemic control increases the risk of periodontitis about three-fold, with a higher prevalence of diabetic complications in those with comorbid periodontitis. Our current understanding of the impact of diabetes on periodontitis involves the activation of the immune and inflammatory responses resulting in an upregulated systemic response. This results in local tissue damage, increased breakdown of the periodontal connective tissues and resorption of the alveolar bone. The upregulated systemic response in those with periodontitis can impair insulin signalling and increase insulin resistance resulting in elevated HbA1c levels.

The economic burden of periodontitis has been discussed in the European Federation of Periodontology’s (EFP) commissioned report published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) – ‘Time to take gum disease seriously: The societal and economic impact of periodontitis.’ One of the four key recommendations they made was ‘better integration of dental and general healthcare is required.’ A new service initiative, implemented by our sponsored speaker, within a district general hospital in Wolverhampton (West Midlands, England, United Kingdom) echoes the importance of this. This project, which promoted inter-professional collaborations, involved integrating a periodontal review within a diabetic consultation and designing a tailored oral health pack for diabetic patients. Incorporating a whole team approach to tackle all aspects of patients’ oral and general health was the source of success to this project. The project, which was recognised nationally winning the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) Audit Award, will be discussed to allow our audience to consider clinical initiatives beyond their traditional role. In addition, this presentation will discuss examples of other clinical initiatives which can improve the periodontal and general health of our periodontitis patients.

TePe are committed to improving the long-term well-being and quality of life for people via raising awareness of the connection between oral and general health. This presentation aims to revitalise the diagnostic reasoning required for dental professionals to comprehensively manage periodontitis patients using our current understanding of the research.

Caries is one of the most widespread disease in the world, affecting nearly 2.3 billion people. Delayed detection and diagnosis means that the only way to treat the tooth is to perform a restoration. Therefore, detection of caries in its early stages is critical for dental professionals to be able to offer conservative treatment options and avoid invasive restorations.
In this first part of the course, participants will be given the opportunity to further explore the importance of early caries detection and methods available for its diagnosis. In addition, the identification codes for caries recognition will be introduced.
Subsequently, adequate lifestyles, nutrition and oral hygiene habits will be presented together with clinical maintenance approaches to limit the risk of demineralization and ensure enamel’s health and beauty.
Prof. G. Campus, a world-renowned cariologist, will revisit the concept of caries progression for early detection of enamel lesions. Prof G.M. Nardi, an expert in prevention protocols, will illustrate innovative clinical approaches on the detected lesions.

The language of dentistry is changing, and gum health is now at the forefront of dentistry and healthcare. Periodontal disease is the most common disease of humans and can have an impact on general health. Across the wider industry there is the aesthetic demand of creating the perfect smile where the healthiest and strongest foundation is crucial. The climate across the health industry has prioritized people to become a lot more alert of ensuring they are the healthiest version of themselves.

In addition to the essentials of health, cutting-edge gum aesthetics is one of the mostly highly demanded requests at our high-tech clinic on Harley Street. Unsurprisingly, it is now one of the most frequently reviewed topics in the press.

The predictability of treating and maintaining health and aesthetics is vitally largely dependent on the highest quality equipment and proven protocols.

Ensuring we are highly reactive to the constantly changing guidelines on periodontal management is crucial when we are providing the most optimal experience within our practice. Working directly on the frontline and founder of one of the leading specialist periodontal clinics based in London, I wanted to share with you personally my direct experience and support you in applying this in your own practice.

Funding for this session is supported by Young Innovations

Various treatment concepts are still focusing on treatment of a single oral disease to maintain or restore oral health. This lecture will show how to shift from this one-dimensional approach to a patient oriented individual oral health approach.
Today we know that there is an interaction between oral and general health. Many aspects of general health e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, preterm birth or obesity have a major influence on oral health and may even aggravate oral diseases.
Consequently, the anamnesis, the findings and the diagnostic assessment are of major importance for an individual, patient-orientated therapy and a successful treatment.
The patients’ therapy must be adjusted to his local and systemic risk factors. Treatment failures can be avoided, and success chances can be improved by planning the patients’ therapy carefully in advance.

The dentist and the dental hygienist require the necessary knowledge about these interactions to inform the patient not only about individual risks in the oral cavity but also about the possible effects on the entire body.

Funding for this session is supported by W&H

The importance of oral health (and its linkage to general health and well-being) has seen a resurgent interest over the past few years, from the Global Burden of Disease Study, The Lancet Commission on Oral Health and the 2021 WHO Resolution on Oral Health. While the upgraded 2017 periodontal disease classification excludes gingivitis the role of gingivitis as an essential precursor to periodontal disease is unequivocal. Thus the most recent analysis of the economic cost of periodontal disease to healthcare systems in Europe, reported by the EFP in 2021, concludes that one of the most cost-effective treatment/management strategy (greatest ROI) for reducing the economic burden of periodontal disease is the prevention and management of early-stage gingivitis.

This session will focus on the important role of the dental hygienist throughout the gingival health journey of their patients, in light of these recent oral health policy initiatives, How their engagement with the patient / consumer in the prevention and management of early-stage gingivitis through appropriate selection of consumer products and behavioural change initiatives supporting mechanical cleaning may have a significant health outcome and economic benefit to society. It will discuss the clinical evidence for a 67% sodium bicarbonate toothpaste as a highly effective plaque reduction/removal strategy leading to clear clinical improvements in gingival health. The results of a recent meta-analysis on all the available clinical evidence will be reported together with innovative techniques for engaging with patients and consumers to encourage behavioural changes.

 Funding for this session is supported by Haleon

Caries is one of the most widespread disease in the world, affecting nearly 2.3 billion people. Delayed detection and diagnosis means that the only way to treat the tooth is to perform a restoration. Therefore, detection of caries in its early stages is critical for dental professionals to be able to offer conservative treatment options and avoid invasive restorations.
In this second part of the course, participants will acquire further knowledge on the international classification of carious lesions and their recognition within clinical practice, with practical examples. Participants will also be given the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge on caries identification codes for an early recognition.
Subsequently, ergonomic, minimally invasive and customized clinical approaches involving remineralization will be presented according to the different clinical cases, to optimize the effectiveness of treatments dedicated to enamel health.
Prof. G. Campus, a world-renowned cariologist, will revisit the concept of caries progression for early detection of enamel lesions. Prof G.M. Nardi, an expert in prevention protocols, will illustrate innovative clinical approaches on the detected lesions.

Are you maximizing your ultrasonic technology to its fullest potential? This unique workshop aims to elevate the knowledge and skill of participants by combining scientific research with hands-on activities focusing on how to effectively, efficiently, and safely disrupt/remove biofilm, calculus, and stain using ultrasonic technology. With the use of a specialized camera, the facilitators will provide live demonstrations and use mini-case scenarios to guide participants while they follow along using typodonts and a selection of magnetostrictive ultrasonic instruments. To enhance this learning experience ‘ultrasonic coaches’ circulate and provide immediate feedback while you train. You will be empowered to enhance your dental hygiene practice after completing this course! Note: users of both magnetostrictive and piezoelectric technology can benefit from the content of this session. Funding for this session is supported by Dentsply Sirona.

Dental erosion can be considered as premature tooth/enamel wear, brought on by softening of enamel surfaces primarily by exposure to dietary acids. The prevalence of dental erosion globally is on the rise, and affects the young and the old alike; yet awareness and understanding remain low amongst patients and clinicians.

This session will look into the prevalence and identification of dental erosion – otherwise known as erosive tooth wear – consider its impact on patients, and evaluate approaches to manage the condition. The panel of Experts will review the epidemiology of dental erosion in different parts of the world, and summarise the evidence regarding dietary and behavioural causes.  Results from a new study of prevalence and incidence of dental erosion – and its links to other oral conditions – will be presented and considered in the light of recent studies, in various geographies and patient population groups. The panel will also present clinical case studies of mild and moderate dental erosion, to understand the impact on individuals of the condition as it progresses. The importance of incorporating toothwear examinations into clinical routines, so that the condition is identified early, will be stressed. Management options for these cases will be considered. Lastly, the panel will discuss the role of fluoride dentifrice in protecting enamel from attack by dietary acids, and how this helps manage the risk of dental erosion. Particular reference will be made to the clinical and laboratory science and data package supporting use of new Pronamel formulations.

Funding for this session is supported by Haleon / GSK Consumer Healthcare

The recent EFP level S3 clinical treatment guidelines for the treatment of Stages I – III periodontitis supports an evidence based, personalised, minimally invasive approach to nonsurgical periodontal therapy.  A step-wise framework, based upon the EFP/AAP classification of periodontal diseases, highlights key elements to ensure efficient and successful nonsurgical periodontal therapy.  A one size fits all approach to periodontal nonsurgical therapy results in undertreatment for some patients and overtreatment for others, often becoming mundane for clinicians.  A personalised phased approach, combining current oral hygiene and behaviour change techniques together with minimally invasive instrumentation techniques, facilitate nonsurgical treatment success and streamline post nonsurgical therapy treatment planning.  The guidelines provide an opportunity for enhanced patient understanding and commitment to the lifelong journey of maintaining periodontal health which combined with clinician care gives every patient the best chance of success.  This session will focus on clinical implementation of the guidelines emphasising a strategic approach through consideration of evidence and discussion of clinical case examples.

Funding for this presentation provided by  Hu-Friedy

Jolene Pinder has implemented GBT at a direct access clinic in Scotland. During this session she will discuss the success of providing Dental Hygiene directly to the patient. Stating the stages of GBT and expanding on special populations who benefit from minimally invasive and pain free treatment.
Jolene will state the challenges and successes of putting prophylaxis at the front and centre of patient care.

Funding for this session is provided by EMS