Nowhere on earth has as much significance for a company as the place where it has its roots. With this in mind, nowhere else could be more fitting for us to celebrate our 110th birthday than our home town of Pforzheim. The company Bernhard Förster was founded here, in the heart of the Black Forest, in October 1907. And this is exactly where we, having cut our teeth in the jewellery and watch industry and now currently operational as a dental provider, celebrated our unique success story with a birthday event of superlatives.
Fully booked – anniversary symposium with record number of guests
Orthodontists from all over the world, among them long-standing customers, business partners and friends accepted our invitation to attend this special event from the 21st to the 23rd of September. For this we set up an anniversary symposium which all participants are certain to remember for years to come – a topically up-to-date repertoire attended by renowned experts, framed by an entertaining and regionally-focused social programme. Sixteen international speakers wowed well over 400 visitors for three days with top-class lectures that gave an overview of the latest study results and the latest findings from clinical practice.
FACE experts explain the principles of their philosophy at the pre-congress
The pre-congress at Kulturhaus Osterfeld - not far from our head office - focused on the FACE treatment philosophy. And who is better to speak about the basic principles of the periodontal health-centric FACE Evolution prescription than representatives of the global professional group like Dr Domingo Martin (Spain), Dr Jorge Ayala (Chile) and Dr Douglas Knight (USA). Using a number of case studies they demonstrated - impressively - how ideal functional and aesthetic results can be achieved using the FACE bracket system.
A“who is who” of orthodontics at the lectern
We chose the Congress Centre Pforzheim (CCP) as the event location for the main programme set to begin the next day. After a few introductory words from FORESTADENT Managing Director Stefan Förster, who very briefly recounted the milestones of the company, from its beginnings to the present day, Dr Björn Ludwig (Germany) opened the expert talks. Practical and filled with helpful recommendations, the latter briefed colleagues in attendance on his personal approach to non-compliance gap closure for missing lateral incisors.
Clinical recommendations from experts
Dr Richard McLaughlin provided an equally extensive insight into his wealth of clinical experience, which after several decades, can only be described as impressive. The co-developer of one of today’s most significant and most widespread treatment techniques within orthodontics gave an overview of the Class III treatment and presented general concepts for diagnosis and treatment planning. Like Dr McLaughlin, Dr Ronald M. Roncone travelled especially from the USA too. He scrutinized the use of the latest digital technologies and explained which of these, in his view, do make sense and those that don’t.
Diverse and highly topical range of lecture topics
Dr John Bennett (UK) gave an impressive explanation of effective treatment mechanics following extraction of the second premolars. Using a selection of clinical cases he demonstrated a modified approach that exploits the benefits of sectional mechanics (for gap closure) in preparation for the use of full arch mechanics. In equally impressive style, Prof Dr Ravindra Nanda (USA) presented an up-to-date overview with regard to the effectiveness of invasive and non-invasive procedures for the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movements.
And many more highly interesting, top-quality lectures made this programme a real treat for those in the profession.
Socialising over a few Black Forest delicacies
What would make a better occasion than such a top-class event to get to personally know some of the leaders of the profession and engage in some exchange between colleagues? The gala dinner in the pump house in Bad Wildbad offered the ideal setting to while away some time away from the conference programme in a relaxed atmosphere over some Black Forest delicacies. Our Facebook page offers a look back on the Pforzheim anniversary symposium for anyone looking to reminisce www.facebook.com.
Next year we will invite our customers, business partners and friends to Vienna. The company-sponsored FACE Meeting will take place at the famous Hofburg from 28th to 30th September 2018.