Over 1,000 dental care professionals (DCPs) attended this year's British Dental Conference and Exhibition in Manchester: record attendance for both the Thursday and the Friday of the event.

The lecture programme at the conference included a number of sessions specifically aimed at the dental team, including: how skill mix can be used to increase success and profitability; working safely within your scope of practice; the new GDC standards; caring for patients with dementia; and safeguarding vulnerable children.

Visitors to the Exhibition had access to over 150 exhibitors as well as the Innovation Zone; BDA Museum cinema; the Training Essentials theatre and the live Demonstration theatre.

In the Training Essentials theatre the dental team had a lot to choose from with over 20 sessions covering core CPD subjects, regulatory updates and personal development. Highlights for DCPs included a session hosted by the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) looking at the latest research into the role DCPs can play in screening for common oral diseases, and sessions on dental photography, periodontics, radiography, and child safeguarding.

Thursday evening drinks in the exhibition hall offered an opportunity to informally network with exhibitors whilst a sold out Friday night party saw guests enjoying the sounds of live band Hipster.

Planning has already begun for next year's event: 7-9 May 2015 in Manchester.

For photos of this year's event see www.facebook.com/thebritishdentalassociation.