Professor Bill Sharpling, Clinical Dental Technician with expertise in fixed and removable dentures at Elmsleigh House, Associate Dean for Continuing Professional Development and Director of the London Dental Education Centre at the Faculty of Dentistry, King’s College London, reports:
I attended the Chief Dental Officer (England) Scientific Conference at Birmingham Dental Hospital. The event brought together an inspiring group of dental professionals, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the future of oral health care and the critical challenges facing our sector. Good to have a catch up with Preetee Hylton, Fiona Ellwood, Avijit Banerjee and Professor Jenny Gallagher MBE amongst others.
Key sessions covered topics such as:
Minimum Intervention Oral Care (MIOC): Emphasising the importance of preventive care and effective management of oral health conditions.
Dental Workforce Strategies: Exploring solutions to workforce challenges and the need for a collaborative approach across the entire dental team.
Research Capacity Building: Highlighting the importance of evidence-based policies and the need for innovative research to drive improvements in patient care.
Throughout the day there was opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the vital roles of all members of the dental team in addressing workforce gaps and enhancing patient outcomes. The recognition of how dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians, dental technicians and orthodontic therapists work collaboratively to improve patient care was particularly encouraging. Together, these roles create a cohesive system that underpins high-quality, multidisciplinary oral health care.
One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of fostering even stronger collaboration across all dental team members to tackle oral health inequalities and improve access to care for underserved communities. It is through teamwork and integration that we can provide comprehensive care and address the evolving needs of patients. Good to see my other area of interest (AI in dentistry) was on the radar of the CDO too.
I also had the opportunity to talk with colleagues about the findings from a recent study highlighting how my own area of interest (denture use) can slow cognitive decline in older adults. This evidence reinforces the significance of prosthodontic and restorative care as part of a broader, patient-centred approach. By recognising the long-term health benefits and potential NHS cost savings associated with holistic oral health strategies, we can advocate for expanded access to these services.
This first scientific conference organised by the Chief Dental Officer was a testament to the importance of collaboration and innovation in dentistry. It provided a fantastic platform to share ideas, celebrate contributions from all disciplines within the dental team, and advocate for a unified approach to oral health care. I look forward to building on the insights and connections made today.
Thank you to Jason Wong, the Chief Dental Officer (England), Birmingham Dental Hospital and the organising team for hosting such an insightful and impactful event!
Professor Bill Sharpling was recognised by Dentistry magazine as one of the top 50 influencers in the dental profession for 2024, and is passionate about making a difference in shaping the profession moving forward.
Click to read more about our dentures offered at Elmsleigh House.
