Emerging technologies in dentistry seminar

The pace of change in dentistry and in other health disciples has accelerated dramatically in recent years. It has been estimated that the half-life of information reduces each year, leaving many practitioners struggling to stay up to date with the latest technologies and concepts.

At the same time the natural tendency for many has been to watch from the sidelines and wait until many of their peers have grappled successfully with new methods.

Others, the innovators and early adopters, will be on the lookout for ways to make their practising life more productive and stimulating, whilst giving their patients a new standard of care.

If you are one of the many clinicians who are sitting on the fence and watching the parade of new and emerging technologies in dentistry pass by and wondering just how applicable they are to your practice, then this seminar is for you. It's designed around issues which are relevant to everyday practice, and there is the opportunity to interact with other dentists who have made the step forward and adopted new technologies into their everyday practice.

On the other hand, if you feel that you are technophile who is abreast of most things that are new, then this seminar will hold some pleasant suprises for you, as the speaker unlocks the inner workings behind these new technologies and presents information from the cutting edge.

In April and May 2006, Professor Laurie Walsh, the Head of the University of Queensland Dental School and a notable user and commentator on everything new and high tech, will commence delivering a national series of no-nonsense full day lectures designed as an annual update of the latest and greatest.

"This one day lecture course is designed to guide the clinician through the forest of emerging technologies," Professor Walsh said' "and it has a real emphasis on the practical aspects, i.e. 'learn today, use tomorrow'. It covers four major themes that are impacting on clinical practice at the general practice level and will provide a comprehensive summary of each individually as well as how they interrelate."

Professor Walsh is widely known for his work in developing and assessing new technologies for clinical practice, and for his ability in lectures to make complex topics easier to understand. He has an enthusiastic yet dispassionate style.

Topics to be covered include proximal caries detection; subgingival calculus detection using fluorescence; saliva-based tests; chemo-mechanical caries removal; smart burs; particle beam technologies; lasers; light-activated disinfection of deep carious lesions, periodontal pockets and root canals; ozone therapy for root caries; enamel lightening; fluorosis reversal; white spot lesion reversal; photothermal whitening; ozone-boosted liquid whitening; photochemical whitening; and more.

This course is designed to be an honest, non-partisan look at the gamut of new technologies. Built into the program are limited opportunities to try some of the products at the extended lunch break. It will also conclude with a panel discussion with Professor Walsh and three local dentists who can field questions on their experiences with various aspects of the subject matter.