'Oral health, epidemiology and the British way of life' was the topic of discussion at the inaugural BDA/BDJ Anniversary Lecture held on Tuesday 2 July. The lecture, which was presented by Professor Jimmy Steele and celebrated the 135th anniversary of the foundation of the Association, looked at where oral health is now, where it is heading and, importantly, what this means for the dental profession.

Professor Steele, who is currently Head of Newcastle University's School of Dental Sciences and was recently interviewed in the BDJ (2015; 218: 664–665), used the lecture to highlight the growing inequalities in Britain's oral health. Epidemiological data were presented to demonstrate that, while overall oral health has vastly improved in the last fifty years, this has not benefitted all demographics equally; today children who do have cavities – while smaller in number overall – will have fewer healthy teeth than they did ten years ago. The lecture concluded by looking at the role and purpose of the dental profession in the face of these challenges.

Despite the serious nature of the topics discussed Professor Steele kept the packed lecture theatre amused and was rewarded with more than a few laughs from the BDA member ballot winners and VIP guests in attendance. BDA members who were not able to attend can watch the lecture online at www.bda.org/anniversarylecture which will account for 1 hour of verifiable CPD. The event was sponsored by Henry Schein Dental.