During the past 15 years, I have attended more dental conferences than I can remember. But this was something out of the ordinary. On April 2-5, Nobel Biocare held their World Congress 2003 under the name "Today's standard for patient care". And in spite of it being in the midst of the Iraqi war, there were 2 200 international attendees. The event was first class in every respect, including the standard of the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. The Scientific Committee consisted of Dr Brien Lang Dr Bill Becker, Dr Jonathan Ferencz, Dr Ron Goldstein, Mr Ernst Hegenbarth and Dr Bernard Touati. They had designed the educational program "for clinicians and colleagues in the dental field" – focusing on relevant issues of the time.
"A golden standard" with something for everyone"
The result was what Brien Lang calls "a new golden standard for dental education" and included over 50 speakers from all around the world, Pre-Conference Workshops, General Sessions, Focus Sessions and high-quality Poster presentations. The program ran 5 days and there were as many attendees at the first general assembly as there were the last. As Ronald Goldstein pointed out – "it is unusual to have the entire audience remain after four days of sessions." The Focus Sessions were 25 lectures running repeatedly during a whole day - a much appreciated part of the program. There was something for every one; for all dental professionals including laboratories & technicians.
Serving the entire dental industry
Ms Heliane Canepa, Managing Director and CEO of Nobel Biocare had reason to be proud over the changes the company had implemented the past year and a half since she took over. Product simplifications, innovations, continued R&D and a new way of thinking is the result. Bill Becker spontaneously called her "The new sheriff in town" and gave her flowers in appreciation of what she has accomplished. In her introduction, Heliane Canepa explained the core message of the conference. That message was C&B&I – crown & bridge & implants. Brien Lang pointed out the discrepancy of patient needs for dental treatment and compared it to the estimated number of dental hours currently available in the US to meet those needs. The difference was enormous – meaning very few patients will get treatment for edentulism unless more dentists begin to offer it in one way or another. Increasing treatment availability is the reason behind C&B&I. The concept is to incorporate into regular dentistry the ability to offer implants and the CAD/CAM Procera technology for both teeth and implants. Nobel Biocare now wants to serve the entire dental industry, not just specialized segments. And they claim to have the tools to do it.
Hands-on training and live surgery broadcasts
The exhibit hall held the same standard as the rest of the conference, giving all participants the opportunity for in-depth learning and hands-on training at one of the 20 stations – all equipped with computers. The audiovisuals were cutting edge technology and the general sessions utilized the biggest screen I have ever seen. Topics covered were scientific, surgical and restorative aspects of immediate function, C&B&I in practice, Procera and new products in pipeline. One of the latter is called "Teeth-in-an-hour". The concept builds on CAD/CAM technology and immediate function. It is the result of a joint venture between Procera (Dr Matts Andersson) and the team in Leuven (Professor Daniel van Steenberghe). Two such live surgeries were broadcasted on the giant screen from Los Angeles and Sweden. The audience saw the surgeries in their entirety as well as each patient speaking directly afterwards. The patient operated in Los Angeles was later flown in to testify regarding the experience. Let's just say that the standing ovations received by the two surgical teams were most appropriate – and that it really only took 22 minutes to go from complete edentulism to installing the final bridge in a lower jaw.
Next conference to be held in May 2005
In conclusion, the conference was indeed an impressive event that clearly indicated a changed attitude and direction of a new Nobel Biocare. Prof Daniel van Steenberghe said "Congresses organized by companies are not my wildest dreams, but this one offered good science, a dignified approach, a good atmosphere and a perfect organization." Indeed a new educational standard was set. Nobel Biocare's next World Conference will be held in May 2005.
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