The aim of the course is to refresh and update participants on current developments in periodontics as well as add to their knowledge and clinical skills.

The areas covered will be socket sreservation, periodontal systemic interrelationships, current concepts in soft tissue augmentation, tips and tricks for everyday clinic practice as well as the introduction to the new periodontal classification system (2018).

There will be a pre-clinical hands-on component on socket preservation to allow practitioners to incorporate this modality into everyday practice.

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the indications of ridge augmentation and implement this in practice
• Understand perio systemic interrelationships and soft tissue augmentation
• Implement the clinical tips for everyday practice and understand the new periodontal classification system.

Periodontal medicine: chronic disease and ONJ

Presented by Dr Melinda Newnham

Many Australians are adversely affected by both periodontal disease and chronic illnesses. The interrelationships between these conditions are complex and are often challenging to manage in daily dental practice.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the interrelationships between chronic disease and periodontitis
• Gain insight into the risk of ONJ in periodontal patients
• Identify treatment strategies for medically compromised patients in daily practice.

Gingival recession – a clinical update

Presented by Dr Raymond Chan

Gingival recession is a common finding in our patients and can contribute to impaired oral hygiene, root caries, compromised aesthetics, dentinal hypersensitivity and in extreme cases, tooth loss. This presentation provides a practical guide to the assessment and diagnosis of mucogingival deformities and common treatment modalities involved in the treatment of gingival recession defects.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Diagnose gingival recession defects
• Recognise predisposing and precipitating factors for gingival recession defects
• Understand different treatment modalities for gingival recession defects.

Ridge preservation and implant complications

Presented by Professor Ivan Darby

Management of the alveolar bone is crucial for long-term implant success. This begins with a thorough assessment and planning of the patient and an understanding of the healing of the socket. At the time of extraction teeth should be removed with minimally traumatic extraction techniques and ridge preservation used to maintain bone volume and to ensure as much of the roughened surface is covered after insertion.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand how ridge preservation works and the outcomes
• Understand the biological complications around implants
• Understand how good planning can minimise complications.

Hands on – socket preservation

Presented by Professor Ivan Darby

This session will provide exposure to minimally traumatic extraction techniques, placement of graft materials into the socket and suturing to hold the membrane/matrix in place.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Undertake ridge preservation
• Understand the use of periotomes
• Use horizontal crossover mattress sutures for extraction sockets.

Clinical tips for everyday use

Presented by Dr Emma Megson

Emma will discuss a variety of common clinical issues that arise in everyday practice and how to manage these situations more effectively. Topics will include instrument choice, the impact of occlusion of periodontal disease, anxious patients, oral hygiene, decision making regarding maintenance intervals, communication and troubleshooting implants and loose teeth.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Be more confident in managing periodontitis patients
• Implement a more systematic approach to periodontal assessment and treatment
• Consider alternative treatment options.