Speaking on behalf of the Orthodontic Technicians Association at this year’s Dental Technology Showcase is Paul Mallett, a leading figure in UK dentistry who is passionate about advancing dental technology through innovation and collaboration. Paul’s lecture will focus on his latest innovation, The Lancaster Lingualised Functional (LLF) Appliance which has received outstanding feedback and provides a useful addition to a range of functional appliance treatment options.

We caught up with Paul ahead of his lecture to find out more. 

Why are orthodontic technicians so essential to a successful orthodontic case?

In my experience, orthodontic technicians play a key role in selecting materials and collaborating with other dental professionals, whether working with traditional or digital appliances, including 3D printing. As new materials and techniques rapidly emerge, technicians are often the first to learn about and experiment with these innovations, enabling us to create tailored solutions for patients with unique needs. This ability to adapt and innovate is particularly crucial in healthcare settings where a strong team approach is essential to providing high-quality care for patients with more complex requirements.

It is key for all dental technicians to stay ahead of rapid technical advancements in materials and techniques and work together with other professionals for ultimate patient outcomes. My talk at DTS in May will explore this and provide invaluable insight on our latest innovation.

How important is a team ethos in dentistry?

It's vital.  It fosters collaboration, ensuring that all professionals work together toward a common goal: providing the best possible care for patients. In my experience some of the best outcomes are when complex cases are addressed in a collaborative way. By leveraging each team member’s experience, a team approach can enhance treatment outcomes, improve efficiency and allows for more comprehensive care. This is true across the board - you're always going to get a better outcome for the patient if you've got that collaborative approach, leading to better overall results and patient satisfaction.

What will you be discussing at this year’s Dentistry Technology Showcase?

I will be presenting on our latest innovation, The Lancaster Lingualised Functional (LLF) Appliance, and how it has developed and grown to realise its full potential. The talk will explore the inspiration for its original design and construction, comparing it to the Clark Twin Block appliance and its variants.

Delegates will learn about how it has been modified to integrate and function as an integral part of a hybridised appliance system. By understanding its key features, they will gain unique insight into the successes and challenges involved in the development of the LLF Appliance and appreciate the design, application and construction process of the latest model.

What can delegates use immediately back in the lab?

This talk offers a rare opportunity to gain in-depth insights directly from the innovator behind the LLF Appliance. Dental professionals will have first-hand knowledge of the product and will be provided with detailed construction techniques to understand how to make this in all of its iterations.

Feedback to the LLF appliance has been really positive and I’m excited about sharing further information with delegates. I’m confident that this innovation can provide a useful addition to a range of functional appliance treatment options.

You can see Paul’s lecture, ‘Hybridization & Modification of the Lingualised Double Block Appliance (LDB)’ on Friday, 16th May at 12.15pm in the Dental Technicians Hub.