Why the BSP Conference 2026 Should Be in Your Diary

With the Early Bird discount deadline at the end of June fast approaching, I wanted to remind everyone to book for the annual BSP Conference. This promises to be a particularly engaging and clinically relevant meeting. Taking place in the historic city of York from 7–9 October 2026, this year’s Conference has been built around a practical and thought-provoking theme: “Any Questions? – Unpicking Periodontal Practice.”

The programme has been designed to address the real questions clinicians encounter every day in practice - the sort of questions I regularly see discussed on forums and hear raised among colleagues. Whether those questions relate to treating periodontal disease, implant complications, treatment planning, surgical decision-making, maintenance protocols or patient communication, the emphasis throughout the Conference is on clarity, discussion and practical application. My aim has been to identify key issues that arise in patient care and explore them through clinically relevant lectures and open discussion.

For example, one of the questions I have asked speakers to address is when we should be grafting around teeth and implants. We are all used to seeing examples of wonderful techniques, but the question of when we should actually be concerned is often overlooked, despite arguably being far more relevant to everyday clinical practice. Other topics include: When should we be concerned about oral lesions? Is vaping better than smoking? Can we successfully treat patients without surgery? And is peri-implantitis actually treatable?

A particular highlight will be the “Any Questions?”-style panel discussion, where real-world clinical scenarios and audience-submitted questions will form the basis of an interactive debate. In an era where clinicians are faced with increasingly complex patient expectations, evolving evidence bases and ever-growing treatment options, opportunities for honest, expert-led discussion are invaluable. Next month’s newsletter will introduce the experts making up the panel and explain how delegates can submit questions in advance.

Of course, we will also have our usual Conference Dinner and Early Career Group social event, but York itself is one of the UK’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations, making it an ideal host city for a national event.

Delegates can enjoy the city’s remarkable history, architecture, restaurants, cafés and independent shops, all within easy walking distance of the conference venue. From the iconic York Minster and the medieval streets of The Shambles to riverside walks and river cruises, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Importantly, York also makes the Conference particularly attractive for accompanying partners or family members. While delegates attend sessions, partners can explore the city’s many attractions, enjoy shopping and sightseeing, or simply take advantage of the excellent hospitality York has to offer. The Conference therefore provides the perfect opportunity to combine high-quality professional development with a genuinely enjoyable short break.

For anyone involved in periodontal or implant patient care - whether specialist, trainee, general dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist - this is a meeting well worth attending.

(Perio) Education, Education, Education

Traditionally, the Wednesday afternoon session of the BSP Conference has offered a little more flexibility, with the main scientific programme taking place on the Thursday and Friday. For this year’s session, I wanted to create an opportunity for everyone involved in periodontal education to come together and discuss the current experiences and challenges associated with delivering periodontal education at undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD level.

The idea arose from the recently published European Consensus Workshop on Education in Periodontology (2024), and I am extremely grateful to Prof Nikos Donos, Prof Moritz Kebschull, both involved in the working groups, and Dr Shazad Saleem for agreeing to present.

My hope is that bringing together as many people involved in periodontal education as possible will create opportunities for meaningful discussion, shared experiences and mutual support.

So, if you are involved in periodontal education in any capacity, please do consider coming along and participating, and do spread the word to anyone else who may benefit from the session.

Best wishes

Paul

Dr Paul Baker

BSP President 2026