The 10th annual Senior Dental Leaders Programme, sponsored by Henry Schein Inc, Melville, NY, wrapped this week in London. An international conference designed to develop high-level leadership and management capabilities in oral health leaders from around the globe, the event welcomed more than 150 participants.

First conceptualized by Professor Raman Bedi, DDS, in 2007 at King’s College London, the Senior Dental Leaders Programme is organized by the Global Child Dental Fund, King’s College London Dental Institute, and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate social responsibility program, has supported the event—together with co-sponsor Colgate-Palmolive—since its inception.

The multi-day conference brings together dental policy makers, national chief dental officers, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and members of the clinical and academic communities, who are working to forge an international collaborative network with the goal of “advancing the mission of a cavity-free world for children.” Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein, delivered the programme’s keynote address on during a day-long seminar entitled “Developing Leadership in the Dental Profession.”

“The world faces oral health challenges that will not be solved by a single actor, but rather through a concentrated effort by members of every sector of the oral health community who work together towards a shared vision,” Bergman said. “Henry Schein is committed to a public-private partnership built on the strengths of clinicians, dental educators, governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry. The Senior Dental Leaders Programme enhances this partnership and reinforces the relationships at its core by empowering health leaders, enabling the sharing of best practices, and increasing access to oral care throughout the world.”

Other speakers have included Dr Bruce Donoff, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Dr Diane Rekow, dean of King’s College London Dental Institute; and Dr Tony Volpe, trustee of the Global Child Dental Fund.

Over the course of the conference, participants exchanged knowledge and research, shared best practices, and examined case studies of strategies to meet oral health challenges. They also gained greater insight into effective team leadership and change management through a series of presentations and panel discussions. Each day of the conference was aligned around key topics, including: “The Global Context and the Leadership of Strategy,” “Developing Leadership in the Dental Profession,” “Team Leadership and Change Management,” and “Scenario Planning and Public Health Innovations.”