Dental News - British Orthodontic Conference in Birmingham gathers largest number of UK orthodontists

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 20. October 2022

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BIRMINGHAM, UK: The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) held its annual conference in September, and the event represented the largest gathering of orthodontists in the UK in 2022. The conference focused on the power of a healthy smile and on the importance of the orthodontist in the correction of malocclusion.

The British Orthodontic Conference (BOC) is the largest annual gathering of UK orthodontists and also the largest orthodontic trade exhibition in the UK.

The theme of this year’s event was “Most.Smile.Debate”, three words that summarised the current mood in orthodontic treatment and provided a geotag for the venue using the trending what3words mapping tool. Speakers included Drs Michael Mosley, Sandra Tai and Davide Mirabella, and attendees were offered the chance to reconnect with colleagues, friends and peers and to gain new insights into the latest ideas and thinking in orthodontics.

Dr Mosley shared with attendees his personal and family experiences of orthodontics and the science behind the benefits of smiling. He said: “All my family has benefited from orthodontic treatment, so I was delighted to speak at the British Orthodontic Society Conference this year. A big smile that can light up the room will not only make you feel good but other people as well.” Dr Mosley highlighted research in the Journal of Experimental Psychology which revealed that even a fake smile can have a positive impact on mood by triggering certain facial muscles that trick your brain into thinking that you are happy.

Demand for orthodontics increasing together with number of online providers

“Never before has there been such a strong desire for a smile that not only feels healthy but looks good as well,” BOS said in a press release. It pointed to data from BOS which shows that 75% of UK orthodontists have reported an increase in patient volume. There was growing concern among clinicians, however, about an increasing number of online service providers who BOS said were offering “quick dental solutions” to consumers.

In order to help consumers to make better choices about their orthodontic care, BOS and the Oral Health Foundation have launched Safe Smiles, a charity campaign that gives unbiased, trusted and expert advice about dental treatments.

Dr Nikki Atack, BOS president, explained: “As the demand for orthodontics increases, so do the options available. There is huge growth in online companies offering orthodontic treatments at significantly reduced prices. For many patients, it may feel like a sensible consumer-savvy choice. But this may not be the case. We want to ensure patients are given the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have orthodontic treatment.”

British Orthodontic Conference 2023 to be held in London

This year’s BOC was held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham from 15 to 17 September and was a tremendous success, according to Dr Trevor Hodge, director of professional development at BOS. Dr Hodge said that the event had featured an extensive conference programme and had gathered more attendees than any previous BOS event. “It is so important for professionals to network with their colleagues, benefit from world class education and enjoy social interaction together. The team and I are already working on making London 2023 a great success,” said Dr Hodge.

Next year’s BOC will take place from 28 to 30 September in London.