CONFERENCE 2022
Delighted to re-connect The first IDA Annual Conference post Covid was a great opportunity to learn and socialise.
The atmosphere at the IDA Annual Conference in May was fantastic, as members, speakers and trade representatives mingled and celebrated the opportunity to get together at the first in-person conference since 2019. As ever, the Galmont Hotel in Galway provided a super venue for pre-conference courses, trade show, lectures and socialising.
Learning together Thursday’s pre-Conference courses covered a wide variety of topics. Drs Aisling Donnelly and Greg Creavin took delegates through the best ways to maximise success in endodontic treatment. Prof. Markus Blatz offered cutting-edge research on CAD/CAM ceramics in aesthetic dentistry, and Dr Jim Grisdale gave a course on crown lengthening for predictable aesthetic and functional restorative results. Digital photography for the dental practice was covered in focus:RAW, a course given by Drs Minesh Patel and Ambrish Roshan, while Dr Nik Sethi took delegates through Flow – a posterior composite simplified workflow presented by Bioclear. Compliance in the increasingly regulated world of dentistry was also covered by Drs Ahmed Kahatab, Michaela Dalton and Marie O’Grady, ably chaired by Dr Eamon Croke.
Setting the agenda The Association’s AGM on Thursday evening set the agenda for the coming year, passing motions on issues of importance to dentistry and oral health. Incoming President Dr Caroline Robins set out her priorities, and Dr Eamon Croke introduced the theme for the 2023 Conference, ‘Shining brightly’, which will celebrate the Association’s Centenary. Our colleagues from the dental trade were also back this year, and delegates had plenty of opportunities to chat with them and see the latest innovations in dental equipment and technology, and to relax at the trade show party on Thursday evening. Friday evening of course is reserved for the Annual Dinner, and this year’s felt particularly special, as the first chance to come together, eat, drink and be merry for the first time in so long.
The best of international and homegrown dentistry On Friday and Saturday, the parallel lecture programme offered a superb lineup of speakers from home and abroad, covering a wide range of cutting-edge topics. Prof. Walter Renne is a full-time professor and Assistant Dean of Innovation and Digital Dentistry at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is director for the preclinical CAD/CAM course and has published several studies on scan and milling accuracy using various systems. He spoke at length about the use of 3D printers and how he uses them. He uses both an SLR camera and an intra-oral scanner prior to the CAD/CAM smile design work itself. He
122 Journal of the Irish Dental Association | June/July 2022: Vol 68 (3)
IDA Presidents past and present. Back row (from left): Dr Martin Holohan; Dr Kieran O’Connor; Dr PJ Byrne; Dr Michael Galvin; Dr Eamon Croke; and Prof. Leo Stassen. Front row (from left): Dr Robin Foyle; Dr Clodagh McAllister; Dr Caroline Robins; Dr Ena Brennan; and, Dr Barry Harrington. noted that for restorations, it is possible to 3D print a crown for 50c (US) and that some 3D crowns wear better than milled materials, but not as well as ceramics. Prof. Markus Blatz of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine sought to bust the myth that you can’t bond zirconia. He outlined his APC (air-particle abrasion, primer with MDP, and composite) concept as a method that can create long-term success in restorations, buying time for patients who are not ready for implants or can’t afford them. He explained how his method works, and gave advice on materials and techniques to get the best results. Ultimately, he said, the combination of the best scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and an awareness of the patient’s needs and preferences, guarantees the best outcomes. Oral surgeon Dr Niamh Boyle talked about keeping things simple when it comes to dental extractions. She outlined some of the reasons why dentists refer patients to her for complex extractions, including patient anxiety, a need for multiple extractions, and multiple complications. She pointed out that the aim should always be minimal pain and tissue trauma, and a good result. She discussed ways of dealing with common problems that can arise, such as failure of anaesthesia and dental anxiety. She spoke of the importance of taking a detailed patient history that includes all medications. She encouraged delegates to improve their extraction skillset, saying ‘if you can’t sew, don’t cut’! Prof. Lars Rasmussen of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden spoke on osteoporosis and the risk factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the
