Connecting with Key Opinion Leaders around the world to drive dental care
A large part of Dentsply Sirona’s success comes from relationships the Company has developed with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) across the dental industry. This article shares some recent examples of the Company’s cooperation with KOLs.
Placing the customer at the heart of everything that Dentsply Sirona does in its effort to develop the products and services that move the dental industry forward is at the center of the DS Model for the future. Actively engaging with KOLs around the world is a pillar of that model and helps to gain a clearer understanding of the needs of customers – dental professionals – in different markets.
So far this year, Dentsply Sirona has held a number of events in support of KOLs. For example first time meetings such as the “Global Lab Experts Network (GLEN)” and the “International Faculty Forum,” or the “27th Annual North American Endodontic Opinion Leader Forum,” where Dentsply Sirona is helping KOLs to strengthen their own networks. The Platform for Exchange of Experience, Research and Science (PEERS), founded by Dentsply Sirona, has helped dentists engaged in implant dentistry through events in locations around the world for more than 10 years. At the same time, the Company knows that it must also support the next generation of thought-leaders in order to sustain these important relationships. The “p3 program” accomplishes this by coaching a select group of up-and-coming clinicians with a desire for taking on a more public role at speaking or training events who have expressed an interest in developing a long-term relationship with Dentsply Sirona.
In addition to in-house platforms and meetings, Dentsply Sirona also equips training facilities that are owned and operated by KOLs themselves as in the case of the International CEREC Institute in South Korea and the CAD/CAM Training Center in Taiwan.
Global Lab Experts Network (GLEN)
Approximately 50 KOLs from almost 20 different countries came together in Frankfurt, Germany in mid-July for the first “GLEN meeting.” Initially set up by the Clinical Affairs team, GLEN is a brand-new initiative set up over the summer that fills a gap in the industry by establishing a network of experts in lab-related fields of dentistry. Dentsply Sirona’s Lab SBU held the two-day event with a program that included traditional and breakout sessions focused on current topics and future trends. There were also plenty of opportunities for the participants to interact with one another.
Several members of Dentsply Sirona’s Leadership spoke about the emphasis placed on continuing education.
Continuing education is especially important in a changing environment and the Lab SBU team members have a genuine passion for supporting dental labs and dental technicians."
The meeting started off with a casual dinner to encourage mingling and discussion. The following day began with an exclusive tour through Dentsply Sirona’s Bensheim and Hanau production facilities, which was a treat for those in attendance as they were able to see firsthand how many lab products are manufactured. Participants loved the format of the meeting and were eager to plan for the next GLEN meeting in two-years time.
27th North American Endodontic Opinion Leader Forum 2018
Dentsply Sirona has made it a priority to listen to experts working in the field. One great example of its long history in doing so comes from the Endodontic business, which held its “27th Annual North American Endodontic Opinion Leader Forum” this past summer. The popular, invitation-only event in Boca Raton, Florida brought together nearly 200 endodontists, researchers, inventors, endodontic association heads, university leaders and key influencers in the endodontic market from the United States and Canada.
GLEN-Meeting, one of the breakout sessions.
Different from many meetings, the explicit goal of this event is to provide Dentsply Sirona with input to help create better solutions for the endodontic market.
This unique group does more than look at our products and help us identify trends – they serve as valuable advisors and a critical sounding board to guide our company as we make decisions that affect how endodontics is practiced."
Of course, the meeting is popular not only for the opportunity to directly share opinions with the Company but also due to the high-level networking among participants and the chance to visit Dentsply Sirona’s tech lab to have an eye on the latest technological innovations.
Implants SBU focuses on KOLs
Dentsply Sirona Implants founded PEERS, the Platform for Exchange of Experience, Research and Science over 10 years ago. This summer, the Implants SBU held a pair of PEERS meetings. In conjunction with the “International Congress on Ankylos” taking place in Berlin, Germany, the Implants SBU held its third international PEERS meeting. 68 members from six countries participated in the breakfast meeting. The meeting provided a professional forum to critically discuss opportunities of using a digital workflow in implant dentistry and the input was valuable for both the participants and representatives from the Implants SBU. Peter Gehrke, PEERS Germany member, moderated discussions and a report from the meeting will be shared with all PEERS members globally.
Two weeks later the North American meeting of PEERS took place at the DS Academy in Charlotte, NC. PEERS members held lectures on topics such as Regenerative Materials, Implants and Edentulous Treatment Options.
North American PEERS members during a hands-on discussion (Charlotte, NC).
Feedback was very positive. Mark Ludlow, DMD, MS I Medical University of South Carolina remarked that, "The PEERS meeting is always one of my favorite times of the year. I can't believe how awesome it is to bring together some of the best clinicians in the world to sit around and share ideas for 3 days…”
Toward the end of the year, from December 6-8 in Mainz, Germany, the Implants team is planning a launch event to further engage leaders from this segment of dentistry. Named the “International Faculty Forum,” the event will provide participants with a strategy update from Dentsply Sirona with the chance to interact with global management to create new faculty networks. The new event will mix participants from academia and private practice to bring together a diverse group. In subsequent years, the group of roughly 100 invitees will change to ensure that fresh perspectives are present.
While there are many events and training sessions focused on existing KOLs, Dentsply Sirona also provides opportunities for the next generation of experts to polish their presentation skills through the “p3 International Program.” Standing for Profession, Passion, Power, p3 coaches a selected group of clinicians in a yearlong program with five modules. The most recent module took place in October and focused on successful structured communication and managing discussions.
New training centers in Asia
In July, Dentsply Sirona employees and guests celebrated the opening of the “ICI” (International CEREC Institute) facility in Daejeon, South Korea. Owned by Dr. Hanna Lee, a CEREC user and lecturer, the facility is over 6,400 square feet spread over two floors and has a 40-seat seminar room. Dentsply Sirona is supporting Dr. Lee by providing the equipment for the facility. The first course targeted non-CEREC dentists to provide an introduction to this technology.
Dentsply Sirona also equipped the CAD/CAM Training Center in Taipei, Taiwan for its grand opening in May of 2016 and continues to support the work done there. The center is run by Dr. Tsao and offers a number of international and regional courses including on CEREC.
The Grand Opening of the CAD/CAM Training Center in Taiwan.
DS employees and guests celebrate the opening of the ICI.
Experts engaging at the 27th North American Endodontic Opinion Leader Forum.
Participants enjoying the Women’s Social at the Opinion Leader Forum.
Expert discussion session at the Opinion Leader Forum.
Dentsply Sirona provided the equipment for the new International CEREC Institute in South Korea.
The ICI facility has a seminar room designed to seat 40 participants.
Participating in a lecture at the North American PEERS event in the Dentsply Sirona training center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
North American PEERS members gather for a photo (Charlotte, NC).
Increased exchange between members and company at the PEERS meeting in Berlin.
Lecturers at the International PEERS meeting in Berlin listening to the introduction presentation.
Dr. Tsao showing off the cooperation with Dentsply Sirona.
DS Lab and KOL`s from 20 countries at the GLEN-Meeting (Global Lab Expert Network).
GLEN-Meeting, different topics discussed intensively in the World Café sessions.