BSDHT continues to support dental hygienist and dental therapist education
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 21st February 2020
It’s important for all members of the dental team to have access to high-quality education tailored to their specific roles. For dental hygienists and dental therapists, this involves developing knowledge and skills in a wide spectrum of topics in order to continue providing the highest standard of patient care.
The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 will once again present the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium, with two days of lectures dedicated to those in this area of the profession. To ensure the relevance and diversity of the programme, both the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) and the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) will be supporting the Symposium.
Julie Deverick, President of the BSDHT, discusses why the Society was happy to be involved with the event for another year.
“The conference is a great platform for both members and non-members to come and chat to us and discuss any issues they are experiencing face-to-face,” she says. “Even if people feel like their query or concern isn’t big enough to call our office about, meeting in person often makes it easier to have a conversation so we can offer guidance or signpost them as appropriate.
“The BSDHT will also be hosting the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium on Friday, for which we have gathered several well-known speakers. They will cover various interesting topics that are all pertinent to delegates’ working lives. We quality assure all the presentations to ensure that the messages being communicated are correct and that they match the proper GDC learning outcomes.”
Indeed, the BSDHT is practised in the art of designing a relevant and world-class learning programme for dental hygienists and dental therapists, as is evident from its own Oral Health Conference each year. At this and all the other events the BSDHT gets involved with, the focus is always about helping colleagues advance their knowledge for the betterment of the profession and the benefit of their patients.
As such, the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show will offer plenty of support for professionals looking to advance their careers. In addition, the event will offer the opportunity for dental hygienists and dental therapists to learn more about other areas that might be of interest to them, such as practice management. This provides a greater understanding of different roles in the practice and could help dental hygienists and dental therapists to better utilise their capabilities among the team. It also offers a chance for professionals to widen their scope.
“A lot of dental hygienists and dental therapists are looking to move into new areas like tooth whitening and facial aesthetics,” says Julie. ”I think this is great as it provides a small break from full-time hygiene and therapy services, which can be pretty stressful. I would, however, urge professionals to ensure they use only high-quality products from reputable suppliers. It’s important to choose quality over price and to make sure you get good advice and support from the supplier so you can deliver the best outcomes. Events like the OHC and the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show are great for researching the solutions available.”
These events are also ideal for reflective learning, encouraging delegates to think about what they do in practice compared to what is being discussed with trade experts or during lectures. Julie adds:
“Dental hygienists and dental therapists have many opportunities to reflect on how they may want to change their protocols in practice in light of information they gain at events. Being among peers during the development process is invaluable, as you learn from their experiences and their questions as much as from those of the speakers and the representatives. The discussions that follow lectures build on the speaker’s presentation and offer added value. This kind of environment also enables people to share their own advice and help someone else overcome challenges.”
Ultimately, there are many benefits for dental hygienists and dental therapists attending the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020. Julie concludes:
“The NEC is a good venue that is easily accessible by road, rail and air. The exhibition hall is filled with all aspects of dentistry from consumables and prevention products through to dental equipment. It provides a chance for professionals to check out new products and ask advice from the representatives. There is also CPD available in all areas of dentistry, and the chance to see friends and colleagues.
“I would encourage everyone to come and have a chat with us on the BSHDT stand. Of course, we can give members an update on what we’re doing or give non-members the information they need, but it’s much more than that. It’s about having the conversation and finding out what you’re doing and what we can help you with. We would also like to hear about any of our members’ special interests, how they would like to expand on them and if they would consider mentoring others in the field. This is all part of the BSDHT’s focus for 2020.”
The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 will be held on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May at the Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.
For all the latest information, please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com
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