Dentex: A key meeting place for the Belgian dental community

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 1. October 2026

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Today, Dentex opened at Brussels Expo, bringing together dental professionals, manufacturers and industry experts from Belgium and beyond. Ahead of the trade fair, Dental Tribune International spoke with Katinka Vandevelde, who heads the education and healthcare cluster at event organiser Easyfairs Belgium, about what visitors can expect this year.

Katinka Vandevelde has worked in the exhibition industry for more than ten years. In her current role as head of cluster education and healthcare at Easyfairs Belgium, she is responsible for organising Dentex and two other events in the healthcare and education sectors.

Ms Vandevelde, what can visitors expect from the 24^th edition of Dentex?
We are excited about this new edition of Dentex. The event has become a key biennial meeting place for the Belgian dental community. Each edition brings together leading companies in the industry to showcase their latest innovations, technologies and solutions for dental professionals.

What makes this edition particularly relevant is that it marks a new phase for the event. Dentex is introducing a refreshed logo and brand identity, reflecting the ongoing evolution of both the event and the dental industry. We have also formed new partnerships with professional associations and dental education providers, resulting in a broader scientific programme. Visitors can also earn continuing education credits by attending accredited sessions.

How is the Belgian dental market evolving, and how will these developments be reflected at Dentex?
We are seeing increased use of automation and 3D printing, alongside growing use of software, including artificial intelligence (AI) applications, to support clinical analysis and treatment decision-making. At the same time, there is a growing focus on the patient experience and minimally invasive techniques. These developments are transforming clinical practice as well as the way that dental teams organise their work and communicate with patients.

Dentex 2026 will bring together the solutions and expertise behind these developments. On the exhibition floor, visitors will find digital workflow tools, diagnostic imaging systems, 3D-printing and other advanced production technologies, and AI-enabled applications.

The scientific programme will also explore how new technologies and clinical approaches are being applied. For example, the Verbond van Vlaamse Tandartsen—the Flemish dental association—will host a session on Saturday on AI in dental and maxillofacial radiology, examining the potential applications of AI in image analysis, diagnosis and treatment. On Friday, a workshop by dental education provider Dentozo will focus on the stamp technique and a biomimetic copy-and-paste approach in restorative dentistry. Sessions by dental education providers Dental Bootcamp and neDwork will also show how innovations can be applied in practice.

The programme also goes beyond technical innovation, covering patient communication and behaviour in sessions with Belgian communication coach Sofie De Pauw on Thursday and Saturday. Regulatory developments will be addressed by the Flemish dental association on Thursday and Société de Médecine Dentaire—a Belgian dental association for French-speaking dentists—on Saturday.

Overall, Dentex is relevant to dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and other oral health professionals. It provides a platform where practice, industry, knowledge sharing and market insight come together.

“A platform where practice, industry, knowledge sharing and market insight come together.”

What opportunities will Dentex offer visitors to discover innovations, exchange knowledge and expand their professional networks?
National and international exhibitors will showcase new products, equipment, materials and services, and many will provide hands-on demonstrations at their booths. In the “New in town” section, exhibitors will highlight their latest solutions and innovations aimed at optimising dental care.

Visitors can also connect with other dental professionals and presenters during seminars and workshops within the scientific programme. The event is designed to encourage interaction during formal sessions and in more informal settings, such as the conference lounge, where attendees can continue discussions over coffee.

How will Dentex help dental professionals address challenges related to practice organisation, teamwork and changing patient expectations?
Dentex deliberately looks beyond technology alone. Dental professionals are increasingly confronted with broader strategic questions: how to work together more efficiently, how to manage work pressure and workforce shortages, how to respond to rising patient expectations and how to make choices that are both forward-looking and sustainable.

“Dentex deliberately looks beyond technology alone.”

Dentex helps dental professionals address these questions by combining expert insight with practical guidance. For example, the “Connected dentistry” session hosted by neDwork on Friday will focus on efficient workflows, effective collaboration and streamlined communication in dental practices. The session “Zero bone loss as a team sport: Aligning surgery, prosthetics and lab” will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between the surgeon, restorative dentist and dental technician and show how better alignment can improve workflows and long-term patient outcomes. Dr Michaël Gabai’s session on Saturday, which will address communication with patients and the wider dental team, will also reflect the increasing importance of effective collaboration.

Taken together, the exhibition and scientific programme will give visitors insight into products and techniques as well as the broader developments shaping the profession. The scientific sessions will also offer practical guidance on how dental professionals can respond to these changes.

Editorial note:

More information about the event can be found at www.dentex.be.