To begin, could you please introduce yourself and explain how dental photography has become a key part of your everyday clinical practice? 

I’m Abbas Jagani, a Dental Hygienist and Therapist with a strong focus on periodontal, aesthetic and restorative dentistry. Dental photography is embedded into my daily workflow as it helps me document cases, plan treatments, communicate with patients and continuously critique and refine my own clinical skills. 

From your experience, why is dental photography such a valuable tool in modern clinical practice - not just for specialists or cosmetic dentists but the whole dental team? 

Dental photography creates a shared visual language for the entire team, improving communication between clinicians, labs and patients. It enhances documentation, supports education and raises the overall standard of care across every discipline, not just cosmetic dentistry. 

How can dental photography improve communication with patients and support better treatment acceptance? 

When patients can see what we see, conversations become clearer and more meaningful. Showing high-quality clinical images helps patients understand their condition, the rationale for treatment and the patient outcomes from previous cases - naturally improving trust and acceptance. 

How do you use photography to support diagnosis, prevention and long-term patient engagement? 

Serial photography allows us to monitor changes over time - whether that’s periodontal health, tooth wear or restorative outcomes. It’s a powerful tool for prevention and motivation, helping patients visualise progress and stay engaged in their care journey. 

What are the most common mistakes or barriers you see when clinicians first try to introduce dental photography into their workflow? 

Many clinicians feel overwhelmed by equipment, setting or time pressures and assume it’s complicated and rely on ‘cheat-sheets.’ In reality, the biggest barriers are not knowing manual settings and lack of consistency - once a simple, repeatable workflow is in place, it becomes quick, efficient and invaluable. 

Who do you think will benefit most from attending your session? 

Anyone involved in patient care - dentists, therapists, hygienists, nurses and administration staff. Whether you’re completely new or already taking photos, this session is designed to simplify the process and elevate what you’re already doing. 

What can delegates expect to take away from your session that they can apply immediately in their next clinical session? 

Delegates will leave with a clear, practical framework for manual camera settings, (i.e. understand how and when to change settings), lighting and workflow they can implement straight away. The goal is confidence - being able to pick up a camera and consistently capture usable, high-quality clinical images from day one. 

Why is now the right time for clinicians to embrace dental photography? 

Dentistry is becoming increasingly visual, digital and patient-centred. Photography supports better records, stronger communication and more predictable outcomes - making it an essential skill for the modern clinician rather than an optional extra. 

Any last reflections as you prepare to bring this topic to the BDCDS stage? 

It’s exciting to bring a topic I’m genuinely passionate about to a wider clinical audience. My aim is to make dental photography feel accessible, practical and relevant to everyday practice - not just something reserved for advanced or cosmetic cases.