Prosthodontic Education – Preparing for a Changing World
International Convention Centre, Centenary Square, Birmingham, 16th – 17th April 2026
This was the 72nd British Society of Prosthodontics (BSSPD) annual conference. The theme this year was one very close to my heart and has been a large focus of my career in Dentistry; ‘Prosthodontic Education – Preparing for a Changing World’. Covid has sharpened our awareness of and abilities to be adaptable and versatile. We are in the ‘New Normal’ and change will forever be a part of our careers.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
I recently found out that it may not have been Albert Einstein who said this quote, regardless, the words hold true and we must change to progress.
This conference explored the who, why, where, what and how we are doing things differently to ensure our patients and future Prosthodontists are looked after and prepared. This is our ongoing mission of the BSSPD.
Day One: Thursday 16th April 2026
The day started with registration, refreshments and setting up posters in the exhibition hall of the venue. The sponsors all managed to get themselves set up and the conference was opened by Upen Patel, welcoming the delegates and thanking our sponsors for their support.
In session 1, chaired by Steve Bonsor, Raj Dubal kicked off the conference with his presentation; Wax to Workflows: Preparing Prosthodontists for Today & Tomorrow’s Practice. He delivered an intriguing and detailed journey from analogue working to digital workflows. His approach to embracing digital technology and recognising limitations was impressive and set the tone of change for this conference. He was followed by Avijit Banerjee, presenting on Minimum Intervention Oral Care (MIOC) and helping us to understand the importance of prevention, restoration and the restorative cycle. A lively and engaging presentation which stressed the importance of prosthodontic dentistry and its position within the profession.
Following a short break allowing delegates to refresh with snacks and fluids and an opportunity to meet with sponsors and others, session 2 started chaired by Shakeel Shahdad. The two presenters in this session, Riaz Yar and Balvinder Khambay, without pre-planning, had unknowingly prepared and delivered two highly complementary presentations on the subjects of facial imaging and digital occlusion which were visually engaging and sparked much curiosity and discussion for the art of the possible.
Lunch, exhibition and poster judging were in full swing making it a challenge to get all the delegates back into the auditorium for the start of session 3 where Janie Ellis delivered a key presentation on Educating for the Future Workforce, presenting her journey and preparing us all for the generations to come and ideas on how to manage their education. Rupert Austin and Kalpesh Bavisha updated the delegates on the new Prosthodontic and Restorative Specialty Training Programmes and Royal College examinations.
Short break and session 3 started with Rana Al-Falaki delivering her concept of NAILING IT: Wellbeing and Leadership Strategies for Optimal Performance in a Changing World. Rana used her own journeys as examples to help us to reflect on ourselves, but also our colleagues to help us to better understand the world we are in and to ensure that helping ourselves is important to allow us to help others. Day one concluded with the Gold Medal award ceremony, AGM and a networking and social reception which was well received allowing delegates to meet people in a relaxed environment and engage with the sponsors present. A good time was had by all and required the President to usher the delegates on to the vibrant evening ahead of them in Birmingham.
Day Two: Friday 17th April 2026
Day two started with the buzz and anticipation of the upcoming Schottlander awards judging and ceremony at the end of the day. In the first session of the day Neil Poyser chaired presentations by Simon Stone and Martin Ashley updating us on Endodontics and Hypodontia respectively. Both presentations were great updates and helped to ground our knowledge linking into the need for Prosthodontics for long-term survival of Restorative Dentistry.
Gerry McKenna chaired the Schottlander Oral Prize Presentations which were judged by Neil Poyser and Upen Patel. All four presentations were of the highest quality, identifying some of the excellent work being undertaken in units across the UK. The session concluded with a presentation by Elizabeth King who had been working with BSSPD to develop an Undergraduate Prosthodontic Curriculum. Her work has been submitted for publication and will be a great asset for Prosthodontic education.
Sarra Jawad chaired the session after lunch, with thought provoking presentations guiding us to challenge the research and our own capabilities to ensure the best patient care is delivered. Aws Alani delivered an inspiring presentation on Implant Dentistry Education: Everyone wants the view, nobody wants the climb, and Owen Addison delivered Materials Decision Making in the era of evidence overload. Owen’s presentation very much demonstrated how published research has changed over the years and the need to ensure we evaluate the information with care.
Stephanie Hackett chaired the final session of the conference, a presentation delivered by Harry Reintsema, Development of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics in an ever-changing world. Harry’s presentation demonstrated how Maxillofacial Prosthodontics has emerged as its own specialty and the challenges and opportunities that exist in this area.
Finally, Gerry McKenna announced the awards offered by BSSPD as well as those successful recipients who came onto stage in turn to receive their certificates and handshake. BSSPD chains of office were handed over to Neil Poyser, the new President of BSSPD, and Neil presented to the delegation next year’s conference in Nottingham and drew to a close the 2026 BSSPD conference.