Under the 2026 campaign theme, ‘Shape the future of dentistry’, thousands of dental professionals from across the UK and beyond came together to explore how emerging clinical knowledge, next-generation technologies and practical solutions to everyday challenges are empowering the profession to shape the future of patient care and practice. 

The programme featured over 200 world-renowned speakers delivering cutting-edge clinical and business content across 12 theatres, including new additions: the ADI Implant Theatre, Clinical Excellence Theatre, Starting Out and Facial Aesthetics Practice Theatre. Delegates benefited from more than 150 hours of complimentary eCPD, with sessions tailored for the entire dental team - from practice owners and associates to therapists, hygienists, dental nurses and practice managers. 

Networking remained one of the biggest draws for delegates, with thousands of professionals using the two days to reconnect with colleagues, meet new partners and share ideas. From the exhibition floor and conference theatres to the informal spaces in between, the show provided a platform for meaningful connections that will shape collaborations and drive the profession forward. 

A few highlights included: 

• Former investor on Dragons' Den and Co-founder of Implement AI, Piers Linney MBE, explored one of the most pressing topics facing modern dentistry and small businesses: Artificial Intelligence 

• Award-winning journalist, bestselling author of How to Fail and host of the chart-topping How to Fail podcast, Elizabeth Day, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote exploring the powerful connection between success and failure 

• Sarika Shah, Practice Principal and Founder of Flourish as a Female in Dentistry, in conversation with Anna Roberts on ‘Inside-out leadership: building emotionally intelligent practices & emotionally connected marketing’ 

• Dr Prabhleen Anand, Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at Eastman Dental Hospital, with ‘A whistlestop tour of paediatric dentistry: tips for GDPs from a paediatric dentist’ 

• Dr David Edwards, Clinical Fellow in Restorative Dentistry at Newcastle School of Dentistry, on ‘How deep is too deep? Reconceptualising caries removal and pulp management’ 

• Dr Mide Ojo, Principle Dentist at Refresh Dental, on ‘Regenerative dentistry for elite athletes: managing early enamel lesions - Beyond fluoride and fillings!’ discussing new innovations such as Curodont Repair  

• Dr Gina Vega, Clinical Director at Bishopsgate Dental Care, on ‘Beyond aesthetics: transforming patients oral health utilising invisalign and digital tools’ 

Alongside the world-class education programme, delegates explored innovations from more than 400 leading suppliers and manufacturers, taking advantage of exclusive offers, live demonstrations and hands-on training. 

The inaugural BDCDS Rising Stars Student Competition, run in partnership with the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry also took place at the Next Generation Conference which saw Melanie Casagrande Rodrigues Jorge crowned the winner for her concept ‘Breaking Language Barriers in Dentistry: AI-Driven Global Communication by 2040.’ 

The new DentalPod show feature was a triumph and brought together some of the most popular voices in dentistry to debate and discuss hot topics. Speakers including Jason Wong MBE (Chief Medical Officer for England), Milad Shadrooh (The Singing Dentist) and Preetee Hylton (President of the British Association of Dental Nurses) joined leading podcasts such as Your Dental Besties, Dentistry on Purpose and Dental Health Matters for the live sessions and unfiltered conversations.  

Senior Show Manager Stewart Turner said: ‘BDCDS 2026 has been an incredible two days. To welcome over 10,300 dental professionals through the doors is testament to the strength and relevance of this event within the profession. The energy across the theatres, exhibition and networking spaces was fantastic, and the introduction of new features including four new show theatres, DentalPod and Rising Stars Student Competition shows that we’re continuing to evolve and deliver for the whole dental community.’ 

BDCDS will return to NEC Birmingham on the 14-15th May 2027, promising another unmissable two days of inspiration, education and innovation for the whole dental team. For updates, register your interest here.