Dental universities in the UK are visiting EMS in Germany for cutting-edge training in Guided Biofilm Therapy to share with their students, revolutionising dental education and patient care.
Dental universities throughout the UK are making their way to EMS headquarters in Germany to train their educational teams on the latest in professional prophylaxis – namely, Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT).
King’s College London was the most recent university to make the trip. ‘The day consists of working our way through the GBT compass,’ Benjamin Tighe, GBT trainer, explains.
The GBT compass consists of assessment, disclosing and motivation of the patient. The delegates then really take a deep dive into the evidence base and the application of AirFlow, PerioFlow and Piezon No Pain, before finishing the eight-step protocol with checking and recall of the patient (see boxed text for full details).
‘These days are brilliant because we have a clinical space with lots of phantom heads and equipment, and we have a lecture space,’ Ben explains. ‘We can use the rooms to apply the theory, before moving straight to the clinical space and applying this to a hands-on model.’
About Guided Biofilm Therapy
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is an evidence-based, indication-orientated, systematic, modular prevention for prophylaxis and a therapy protocol for all dental applications.
GBT in eight steps:
- Assess – probe and screen every clinical case
- Disclose – make biofilm visible
- Motivate – raise awareness and teach
- AirFlow – remove biofilm, stains and early calculus
- PerioFlow – remove biofilm in >4 to 9 mm pockets
- Piezon No Pain – remove remaining calculus
- Check – make your patient smile
- Recall – a healthy patient equals a happy patient.
‘A lovely experience’
Despite a heavy focus on education and training, the trip actually began with the group from King’s meeting in Munich for dinner with the UK and German EMS teams.
Following an enjoyable evening of networking and a good night’s sleep in a traditional German hotel, guests are up early the next morning to travel to the cutting-edge German EMS headquarters.
The plan at King’s is to apply learnings from the day to their clinical teaching, with the aim of implementing it and using GBT regularly at Guy’s Hospital.
Here, delegates are walked through the very latest in EMS technology. The setting provides the perfect opportunity for attendees to understand the research driving GBT and why many patients are starting to request this treatment by name.
‘We decided to bring the team so that they can understand and learn a little bit more about EMS technology, the new tools, the innovations and technology,’ Professor Luigi Nibali, academic lead and director of the postgraduate periodontology programme at King’s College London, explains.
The plan at King’s is to apply learnings from the day to their clinical teachings, with the aim of implementing it and using GBT regularly at Guy’s Hospital.
‘Hopefully, in the next few years, we will manage to get all tutors to introduce it as part of the undergraduate curriculum,’ Professor Nibali adds.
‘We’ve had a lovely experience so far. It’s a nice combination between the theory and practical, looking at the literature and studies that have been carried out, and a good overview of the different instruments as well as practising with them.
‘Hands-on is imperative for our staff members to try the equipment. Some of them are familiar with the instruments, but some aren’t. So, it’s very important that they learn and see how to use it, because only by trying it for themselves can they then go on and teach the students.’
Modernising dental teaching
The day consists of moving between classroom-based learning and applying hands-on experience with phantom heads.
The EMS team set up and provide all the latest technology so that attendees can concentrate on practising with the AirFlow Prophylaxis Master and trialling different settings, as well as various instruments and powders.
Providing this classroom and hands-on learning gives delegates a safe space to ask questions, trial all the different scenarios, and question the teachings. This allows everyone to feel completely comfortable implementing the treatment, and lecturing about it when they return to the UK.
For further information on GBT and training opportunities, please visit www.ems-dental.com in the first instance.
