Got Questions? We Have Answers.

Social media has transformed the way we discuss clinical problems and seek advice. It provides an instant forum for debate, opinion and experience. What it does not always guarantee is the quality, depth or balance of the answers.

With that in mind, we have decided to do something a little different at this year's BSP Conference in York.

We have set aside the opening session for an interactive "Any Questions?" panel discussion. Delegates are invited to submit questions in advance, which will be collated and presented to the panel without prior sight of the topics. The result should be an honest, thought-provoking and wide-ranging discussion drawing on decades of collective experience in clinical practice, education, research, governance and patient care.

So, who will be answering your questions?

Dr Leo Briggs

Leo is a long-standing supporter of the BSP and gained his MSc in Periodontology from the Eastman Dental Institute in 1995. Alongside specialist periodontal practice, he progressed through the Dental Defence Union to become Deputy Head. Few people can match Leo's understanding of the dento-legal aspects of patient care. Whether your question relates to consent, record keeping, professional guidance, risk management, complaints, ethical dilemmas or applying regulations in everyday practice, Leo brings a unique and invaluable perspective.

Ms Sarah Balian

Sarah combines outstanding clinical expertise with a lifelong commitment to education. Many delegates will know her as Programme Director for Dental Hygiene and Therapy at UCLH, where she has helped shape the development of future generations of hygienists and therapists. Sarah offers insight into clinical techniques, patient management, team-based care, communication, education and professional development. Her experience spans both clinical excellence and the practical realities of building and leading successful clinical teams.

Professor Nikos Mardas

When it comes to clinical problem-solving, few names are more respected. Nikos is Professor of Periodontology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and has published extensively across multiple aspects of periodontal and implant dentistry. His expertise encompasses regenerative procedures, implant dentistry, mucogingival surgery, recession management and interdisciplinary care. Whether your challenge is evidence-based treatment planning or the management of complex clinical cases, Nikos brings world-class expertise to the discussion.

Dr Shazad Saleem

Shazad has made a significant contribution to the BSP, including his work on the Healthy Gums Do Matter toolkit. He combines an exceptional understanding of periodontal guidance, standards and protocols with hands-on experience treating periodontal patients within the NHS. His ability to translate evidence and guidance into practical patient care is second to none. Having worked alongside Shazad on BSP Council, I have continually been impressed by the breadth of his knowledge and his attention to detail.

Chair: Dr Paul Weston

Overseeing the discussion will be Dr Paul Weston, Consultant in Periodontology and Honorary Associate Professor at Birmingham Dental Hospital. Paul could easily take a place on the panel himself, but his role will be to guide the discussion, challenge the panellists where appropriate, and ensure we extract the maximum value from every question submitted.

Together, this panel brings expertise spanning specialist practice, hospital care, education, research, dento-legal matters, NHS service delivery, interdisciplinary treatment and professional leadership. Whatever your question, there is a good chance someone on the stage has encountered it before.

So, what would you like to ask? Perhaps it is a clinical situation that left you unsure of the best course of action. A challenging treatment-planning decision. A regenerative case. A question about recession management, implant therapy, patient communication, risk management, consent, guidelines, career development or professional standards.

No topic is too simple and no question is too complex.

Help shape one of the most interactive sessions of the conference by submitting your questions in advance to: admin@bsperio.org.uk

We look forward to seeing what you ask.

Best wishes

Paul

Dr Paul Baker

BSP President 2026