FDI World Dental Congress – Lunch and Learns

Each day at Congress we will host a variety of Lunch and Learn sessions separate to our Main Scientific Programme that we strongly encourage you to register to. Hosted by professionals in their field, these discussions will greatly advance your knowledge in your preferred dental area.

Each Lunch and Learn session costs 110 AUD and will take place during the Congress lunch break.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Radiology: Perspective and Experience.

Presenter: Professor William C. Scarfe, BDS, FRACDS, MS

Date: Monday 25^th September

Overview/Synopsis

The increasing pervasion of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented intelligence (AuI) into our lives over the last 10 years has been nothing but revolutionary. It’s adoption in Dentistry is no less dramatic, already leading to in a paradigm shift in patient care, diagnostics, and administrative processes. Professor Scarfe is currently involved in numerous projects involving AI/AuI and has a unique hands-on perspective, especially in imaging and diagnosis. Over lunch and casual discussion with Dr. Scarfe and colleagues, find out what this technology is all about, appreciate current applications in various disciplines in dentistry, and obtain insights into the current and potential future implementation of AI/AuI.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand and distinguish the differences and similarities between AI and AuI.
2. Acknowledge the variety of applications of AI /AuI in Dentistry, especially in dental imaging, diagnosis and treatment planning.
3. Appreciate the current and potential considerations and implications of adoption of this technology into Dental practice for all stakeholders (patients, clinicians, public health advocates, third party payers).

Plaque control and Oral Hygiene Instruction

Presenter: Dr Mark Wotherspoon

Date: Monday 25^th September

Overview/Synopsis

The standard of daily plaque control and oral hygiene for many in Nursing Homes and when receiving support at home is poor and has been directly linked to poor oral health and general health. This is a long standing global challenge that is becoming increasingly desperate as residents are presenting with more natural teeth and more complex dentistry.

Learning Objectives

1. Why daily plaque control needs to improve.
2. How to deliver best practice OHI.
3. How to upskill Care Staff to better provide oral hygiene.
4. Introducing Project Gordon.

Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB): The first multidimensional assessment system for bruxism

Presenter: Prof. Daniele Manfredini

Date: Monday 25^th September

Overview/Synopsis

The definition of bruxism has evolved over the past few years, progressively going beyond the old belief that bruxism is synonymous of grinding the teeth while asleep (Lobbezoo et al., 2013; Lobbezoo et al., 2018). With the increase in knowledge concerning the sleep correlates and the muscle activities that may equally be present also during wakefulness(Manfredini et al., 2019; Manfredini et al., 2021), the bruxism construct has shifted from a pathology or disorder to a motor activity that may be a sign of underlying conditions and may even have possible physiological or protective relevance (Raphael et al., 2016; Manfredini et al., 2016).
In the 2018 consensus paper, sleep bruxism (SB) is defined as a masticatory muscle activity (MMA) during sleep that is characterized as rhythmic (phasic) or non-rhythmic (tonic) and is not a movement disorder or a sleep disorder in otherwise healthy individuals. Awake bruxism (AB) is defined as a masticatory muscle activity during wakefulness that is characterized by repetitive or sustained tooth contact and/or by bracing or trusting of the mandible and is not a movement disorder in otherwise healthy individuals (Lobbezoo et al., 2018).
Within these premises, while preparing the Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB), the need emerged for the identification of the best strategy to define the bruxism status, comorbidities, etiology, and consequences. As muscle activities, both sleep and awake bruxism require a thorough assessment that could be based on a combination of subject-based, clinically based, and instrumentally based information.
The rationale for creating the tool and the road map that led to the selection of items included in the STAB have been discussed in some recent publications (Manfredini et al., 2020; Manfredini et al., 2022). This course will present the road map to STAB, the rationale for its background, and the instrument itself, with the list of items included in each specific axis and domain.

Learning Objectives

1. Current bruxism definition and its clinical implications
2. Road Map to STAB
3. The Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism
4. The future of bruxism research

LIFE AFTER IMPLANT FAILURE – a removable prosthodontic approach

Presenter: Dr Finlay Sutton

Date: Monday 25^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Finlay will present his methods and techniques used to deliver dentures with superb aesthetics and optimal function in patients who have lost dental implants. The lunch and learn will be practical and clinically useful; illustrated with photographs and videos showing how Finlay and his dental technician, Rowan Garstang, produce removable dental prostheses with optimal function and aesthetics in patients who have had previously failed dental implants. In addition, these series of lectures are aimed at igniting your enthusiasm and love for removable prosthodontics, showing how we can change our patients’ lives with beautifully made dentures.

Learning Objectives

1. Have an improved understanding of the construction of state-of-the-art complete dentures and partial dentures in patients who have lost dental implants, helping improve their quality of life.
2. To have an improved understanding of how to make excellent impressions in order to maximise retention and suction.
3. To appreciate that good quality removable dentures are a valid alternative to implant supported restorations.
4. To have improved awareness of managing emotionally damaged (“difficult”) patients who are understandably wary of the dental profession.
5. To see examples of managing challenging cases e.g. large defects of supporting tissue where implants have failed, using sectional impressions to improve the fit of immediate dentures, occlusion difficulties using overlay rest seats, denture support problems.

Jaw Reconstruction

Presenter: Prof. Jonathan Clark

Date: Tuesday 26^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Professor Clark is a head and neck ablative and reconstructive surgeon practicing at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, Australia. This session will provide a detailed review of the digital planning process and surgery for jaw reconstruction focussing on the technical aspects of different approaches that facilitate dental rehabilitation.

Learning objectives

1. To understand the different jaw reconstruction approaches that can be applied to facilitate dental rehabilitation.
2. To review the technical considerations when performing virtual surgical planning for reconstruction of the maxilla and mandible.
3. To explore how the preoperative digital plan for jaw reconstruction is executed in the operating room.

Difficulties, failures and options in limit and surgical cases.

Presenter: Prof. Zakaria Bentahar

Date: Tuesday 26^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Borderline and surgical cases represent, on average, 3 to 5% of all cases treated in orthodontics. These cases need a special diagnostic and treatment approach. In general, we have two different options to suggest to our patients : Compensation or Ortho-surgical treatment. In the two options, the orthodontist faces risks and takes difficulties more than in classical cases. In this lunch meeting, we will discuss difficulties, failures and solutions that can help the orthodontist to solve these special cases.

Learning objectives

1. Factor of decision in the treatment of surgical cases.
2. Treatment strategies.
3. Efficient protocol and tools.

Exhausted and burned out

Presenter: A/Prof. Matthew Hopcraft

Date: Tuesday 26^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Burnout is becoming increasing prevalent across the health community, and dental practitioners are not immune. Stressors include time and scheduling pressures, striving for perfection, fear of litigation, anxious patients, demanding and unrealistic patient expectations, business pressures, staffing problems, regulatory demands and negative perceptions of the dental profession. It can also be an isolating profession despite there often being a large number of staff in the workplace. Over lunch we will talk about what burnout looks like, how to recognise the signs and symptoms and discuss some strategies to manage your wellbeing.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the signs and symptoms of burnout.
2. Understand some of the factors that contribute to stress and burnout in dental practice.
3. Identify strategies to improve the wellbeing and manage burnout.

Oral Mucosal Biopsies

Presenter: Dr Sue-Ching Yeoh

Date: Tuesday 26^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Soft tissue biopsies are often used as an investigative tool to aid  in diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions. This session will discuss the various types of biopsies, their indications and techniques. We will also cover practical tips and tricks that you can implement in the clinic.

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the different types of biopsies and their indications.
2. Consider if and when biopsies are appropriately performed in general dental practice.
3. Consider the responsibility of the clinician performing a biopsy, and what implications that may have on future patient care.

Premixed Bioceramic sealers in the daily practice: tips and outcome

Presenter: Prof. Filippo Cardinali

Date: Tuesday 26^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Obturation of the root canal system is a very important step to achieve a positive outcome of the therapy. Bioceramic sealers used with the Cold Hydraulic Condensation represent a real game changer in the obturation, really appreciate for the material ergonomics and versatility. Aim of this presentation is to go deep in the chemical properties of the sealer and the technique of use in easy and complex cases sharing with the audience outcomes and statics arising from the treatment of over 500 teeth with Apical Periodontitis.

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize and comprehend the importance of an high quality obturation to get a positive outcome of the therapy.
2. Understand the importance of the knowledge of the bioceramic sealer for its ergonomic use during the obturation.
3. Understand that the proper use of the bioceramic sealer with a cold technique can lead to an high percentage of positive outcome even in teeth with apical periodontitis.

TMD Essentials

Presenter: Prof. Ramesh Balasubramaniam

Date: Wednesday 27^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a collective term for a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions which includes several clinical signs and symptoms involving the muscles of mastication, the temporomandibular joints, and associated structures. TMD may develop during dental care; and hence patients may assume that the care they received “caused” their TMD. This lunch and learn will focus on identification of predisposing, initiating and perpetuating factor (risk factors) for temporomandibular disorders.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognise risk factors that may initiate TMD.
2. Recognise risk factors that may predispose and aggravate TMD.
3. Screen patients at risk for TMD.

Prescribing in the time of world antibiotic shortages – what do we do.

Presenters: Dr Leanne Teoh and Assoc Prof. Geraldine Moses

Date: Wednesday 27^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Although dentistry is mostly focussed on performing dental procedures, prescribing of medication is occasionally necessary. Antibiotics are the type of medication most frequently prescribed by dentists. Until recently, antibiotic prescribing in dentistry has been relatively straight forward but the advent of worldwide drug shortages, especially of commonly used antibiotics such as amoxicillin and metronidazole, have made antibiotic prescribing a minefield.

In this talk Dr Teoh and A/Prof Moses will discuss the status of worldwide antibiotic shortages and new approaches to antibiotic prescribing including consideration of clinical need and inappropriate prescribing. They will also take a deep dive into critiquing patients’ patient claims of antibiotic allergy, and their importance in this climate of drug shortages.

Learning Objectives

1. Outline the status of worldwide drug shortages especially antibiotics.
2. Describe the rights and responsibilities of pharmacists in drug substitution when certain drugs are unavailable.
3. Detail methods for improving antibiotic prescribing including assessment of  clinical need and avoiding unnecessary and inappropriate prescribing.
4. Critique patient claims of antibiotic intolerance and allergy, in order to expand prescriber’s antibiotic options when allergy labels are no longer relevant.

Tricks and Secrets to Differentiate the Various Types of Tooth Resorption

Presenter: Emeritus Prof. Paul V. Abbott AO

Date: Wednesday 27^th September

Overview/Synopsis

Resorptive processes in the teeth can be classified into 11 different types. Some are pathologic while others are normal physiological processes. In order to diagnose and manage tooth resorption, it is essential to understand the processes involved and to be able to distinguish between the different types of resorption. The differential diagnosis is largely based on the radiographic appearance of the resorptive defect, with a little bit of help from the symptoms and clinical findings. Traditional two-dimensional radiography is usually sufficient for diagnosis but occasionally three-dimensional imaging may help to confirm the diagnosis as well as to determine the appropriate management and prognosis. Guidelines for the differential diagnosis of the various types of resorption will be provided along with numerous examples to demonstrate the differences between the various types.

Learning Objectives

On conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the 11 types of tooth resorption.
2. Discuss the key radiographic findings for each type of resorption.
3. Discuss the key clinical findings for each type of resorption.