After entering a successful case in the inaugural CGDent-GC Award, Associate Member of the College Dr Juan Salmerón Ramírez travelled to Leuven in Belgium to take part in a fully funded two-day composite layering course at GC’s Education Campus. In this blog, he reflects on his experience of entering and winning the clinical skills award, and what he learnt from the process.
Freshly out of university, having begun a new journey in a new country, the opportunity to participate in a dental skills competition was both exciting and daunting, and it is only now that the whole journey has finished and I have reflected on my experience, that I can describe this brilliant opportunity and what I’ve learnt.
Entering the competition: a leap of faith
Foundation Year is not known to be an easy-going year. Portfolio, case selection and study days are the main focus of Foundation Dentists, thus the decision to enter the Award was not a simple one. As a newly qualified dentist, the prospect of competing against peers whose ability, training and skills were unknown to me, was daunting. However, with a healthy amount of friendly encouragement from my fellow FD Ammy, and Educational Supervisors, I jumped into the opportunity to challenge myself, showcase my skills, and most importantly, learn and grow in the process.
The aim of the competition was to present a clinically indicated restorative case, that we had treated with composite, and required as little as one anterior tooth to have a valid entry. The preparation involved meticulous planning, clinical photography, aesthetic mock up, treatment execution, and documentation. This process alone was a huge learning experience, as it forced me to critically evaluate my work and consider the finer details that contribute to aesthetic excellence.
Over the application process, the College of General Dentistry’s Early Careers Engagement and Editorial Officer, Clare Denton, helped with any questions we had, from formatting the case to submitting it, she kindly and reliably guided our best efforts.
My winning case: a brief overview
The case I presented involved a patient in their late 40s with significant enamel wear, inverted smile line, anterior diastemas and loss of anterior vertical dimension. The patient was highly self-conscious about their smile to the point of avoiding smiling in their day-to-day life, and was thrilled when presented with composite bonding as a minimally invasive solution. Once my patient and I had agreed on the treatment, the complicated journey of carrying out the ideas and techniques I had in mind began. Overall the case needed the following steps.
Clinical photography: this was the first and perhaps most crucial step, as it gave me a means of communication with the patient, and allowed them to visualise the improvements they wanted in their smile and to what extent.
Digital smile design: allowed us to set a visual goal to reach, and to compare the before and after of what we were doing.
Aesthetic mock-up which included study models: this helped us to understand how the enamel loss had happened, what dimensions and spaces we had to work with and how to later on protect our work from further wear.
Composite build ups and polishing: this was challenging due to the extent of the enamel loss and the need to achieve a seamless interface between the composite and the remaining tooth enamel. I focused on meticulous shade selection and careful layering to create a natural-looking result.
The outcome was a significant improvement in the patient’s smile, which boosted their confidence and satisfaction – a rewarding experience that solidified my passion for aesthetic dentistry.
The most valuable key learning outcome from entering the competition was understanding the importance of accessible and well written documentation. The case needed to be both clear and powerful when presented to the judges and had to show how the decisions I made were patient-led, therefore I had to be thorough in my explanations, have a clear justification for my clinical decisions and the treatment choices that my patient and I made together. This experience has improved my clinical documentation in the practice, and has helped me to maintain high standards not only in clinical work but also in record keeping.
The trip to Belgium: an unforgettable experience
Winning the competition came with two incredible bonuses: first being invited to attend the CGDent Summer Fellows’ Reception and to be formally awarded by the President (now former President), Dr Abhi Pal; and last but not least, attending a fully funded hands-on clinical skills course at the GC headquarters in Leuven, Belgium, where a GC specialist together with Dr Bereznicki, trained us in state-of-the-art composite layering techniques.
The trip itself was a smooth and relaxing experience. The College and the charitable foundation set up by Dr Tom Bereznicki, had organised a night in a hotel close to St Pancras station for those who lived outside London. The following morning the whole team of awardees together with the organisers, met at reception, introduced themselves, and took the Eurostar train. Just over two hours later we were in Brussels, from there a short bus trip to Leuven.
Leuven is a small vibrant university city, with charming streets and beautiful scenery, and we stayed here for the rest of the trip. It just happens that there was a music festival going on during our visit, which made it only more magical.
Perhaps the best part about our accommodation, Penta hotel, was its prime location in the beating heart of the old town in Leuven, at a very short walking distance from the most well known landmarks such as the stunning Town Hall and the Oude Market, “the longest bar in the world”, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.
The composite course: a transformative learning experience
The much awaited composite course was held at GC’s state-of-the-art dental training centre, where I was mentored by GC’s expert trainers and Dr Bereznicki, who share a passion for aesthetic dentistry and achieving excellence. The course content was comprehensive, covering advanced techniques in aesthetic composite restorations, from the latest materials and tools to innovative techniques that push the boundaries of what’s possible in cosmetic dentistry.
The programme included many topics from colour theory and how it affects our reconstructions, to material selection and how the GC line-up of composite is exquisitely created to cover different dentines and different enamels to achieve natural results.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the course was the hands-on training we received, under the supervision of Dr Simone Moretto, GC composite expert, who was incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, providing personalised feedback and tips that I’ve since incorporated into my practice.
A game-changer moment for me was the information given about the latest advancements in composite layering. The lecture and hands-on workshop explored the intricacies of shade selection, translucency, and the use of tints and opaquers to create restorations that are indistinguishable from natural teeth whilst enhancing a harmonic smile. This has improved my ability to deliver results that exceed patient expectations.
Furthermore the course was focused on minimally invasive techniques with reduced to no enamel modification. This emphasised the importance of tooth structure preservation whilst achieving aesthetic excellence, principles that align perfectly with my patient-centred care philosophy.
Why other Foundation Dentists and Dental Therapists should enter the competition
It is only through endeavour that we grow. Without a doubt, this experience has been tremendously valuable for my professional development, by pushing me out of my comfort zone and by challenging me to strive for excellence.
The Belgium trip and the course was the cherry on the cake, offering me an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the best in the field and immerse myself in a new culture.
My advice for Foundation Dentists and Dental Therapists considering entering the competition, is simple: GO FOR IT. It is an invaluable experience that goes beyond winning – it’s about the journey, the learning and the life-long connections that you make along the way. Entering the competition will not only enhance your clinical skills but also boost your confidence and open doors to new opportunities, ultimately making you a better practitioner.
The CGDent-GC Award 2024/25 is open to Dentists and Dental Therapists who qualified in the UK or Ireland in 2024 or are undertaking Dental Foundation Training or Dental Vocational Training 2024/25. Entries close on Friday 14 February 2025.