The Fine Edge of Dentistry 2026 by RACDS

Masterclasses, Workshops and Breakfast Sessions

Explore a variety of pre-conference Masterclasses, Workshops, and Breakfast Sessions. Offered as add-on experiences for registered day and full delegates only. Select as part of the online registration process.

Masterclass A - Building Critical, Safe and Effective Dental Practice in an AI-Enabled Era: Leveraging Assistive technologies for Learning, Decision-Making and Reduced Cognitive Load

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 8:30am – 10:30am
CPD Hours: 2
Location: Edwin Flack Room, Level 5, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Cost: Members of RACDS $160 / Non-Members $200
Places are limited, waitlists may apply.
Masterclass Presenters: Dr Arosha Weerakoon (GDP) and Dr Kang Kim (Chief Clinical Officer Noted-Dent)

Description:

As artificial intelligence and assistive technologies become increasingly embedded in dental and healthcare contexts, practitioners now have unprecedented opportunities to enhance learning, expand knowledge acquisition, and develop critical thinking skills. However, the effective use of these tools requires a clear understanding of their capabilities, limitations, and the governance frameworks that underpin their safe implementation.

This workshop will examine the fundamentals of AI governance within Australian dental and healthcare systems, outlining what clinicians need to know to practise safely and responsibly. It will introduce a range of practical AI tools that can be used to support education, streamline workflows, and reduce cognitive load, while emphasising the importance of critical appraisal.

Participants will learn how to approach, question and critique AI outputs, and develop the capability to determine whether a tool is fit for purpose within specific clinical and educational contexts. Ultimately, this session aims to build capacity for clinicians and educators to ask the right questions when considering AI adoption, ensuring these technologies are integrated safely, ethically, and effectively into practice.

By the end of this session, participants will:

Understand the range of AI tools available across clinical, administrative, and educational domains
Develop foundational knowledge of how AI systems function, including strengths, limitations, and sources of bias
Understand key principles of AI governance and regulation within Australian healthcare contexts
Explore how assistive technologies can enhance learning, support decision-making, and reduce cognitive load

Participants will be able to:

Critically appraise AI tools to determine fitness for purpose in clinical and educational settings
Use AI tools to enhance learning and clinical reasoning while maintaining professional judgement
Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with AI use in practice
Apply structured questioning approaches to evaluate and safely integrate AI technologies into workflows
Support students and colleagues in developing safe, ethical, and effective AI practices

Hands-on Workshop B - Practical Suturing

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
CPD Hours: 2
Location: Adelaide Room, Level 4, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Cost: Members of RACDS $260 / Non-Members $350. Places are limited, waitlists may apply.
Workshop Leader: Dr Barbara Woodhouse (OMS)

Description:

This two-hour dedicated workshop will review a range of different suturing techniques and materials to help participants understand when each technique is indicated. Practice with various suturing materials, styles, instruments materials and techniques. Suitable for dentists at all levels of experience.

Various dental procedures require soft tissue suturing beyond a basic interrupted suture. This workshop aims to demystify various suture styles and highlight when specific suture techniques and materials can enhance treatment efficiency and promote good healing.

By the end of this session, participants will understand and be able to apply common suture techniques and know when each technique and material and needle should be employed.

All materials for the workshop will be supplied through a materials pack, including Dynek sutures, instruments and downloadable demonstration videos. Participants should bring a headlight +/- loupes (if preferred) and also a device that accepts a USB- A stick - for reference during the session. They will also receive a take-home dental model to practice techniques learnt following the workshop.

Masterclass C – Sleep Apnoea: Developing a practice in snoring and OSA, everything you should know to have better outcomes

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm
CPD Hours: 2
Location: Edwin Flack Room, Level 5, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Cost: Members of RACDS $160 / Non-Members $200
Places are limited, waitlists may apply.
Masterclass Presenters: Dr Michelle Donegan (GDP) and Dr Lyndon Chan (ENT surgeon)

Description:
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding ENT surgery and the role it holds in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) management. There is increasing evidence that soft tissue surgery performed in the correctly chosen patient has meaningful outcomes across a range of parameters including sleep and health metrics. With the introduction of the upper airway nerve stimulator, this provides an additional treatment option that can be offered to patients, but this time providing a primarily physiological treatment. This space continues to be a rapidly evolving and highly interesting space.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to recognise who and when to refer a patient to an ENT surgeon as well as gain interest in future directions our specialty holds.

Participants will also:

Understand the evidence for soft tissue surgery
Understand that the role of soft tissue surgery is aimed at improvement NOT cure
Recognise that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine(AASM) Guidelines and /or Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) recommend surgical review in treatment failures
Have introductory concept of upper airways nerve stimulation
Realise that individualised care is the pathway forward, which may be achieved phenotyping

Hands-on Workshop D – Post Extraction Site Preservation

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
CPD Hours: 1.5
Location: Adelaide Room, Level 4, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Cost: Members of RACDS $260 / Non-Members $350. Places are limited, waitlists may apply.
Speakers: Dr Ken Sun (OMS)

Description: Workshops details to be released soon.

Breakfast Session A - Looking after you while you look after your patients

Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 7:00am – 8:30am
CPD Hours: 1.5
Location: Perth Room, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Cost: Members of RACDS $50 / Non-Members $75 includes breakfast
Presenters: A/Prof Matt Hopcraft (Melbourne Dental School) and Matheesha Premaratna (Keiser Australia)

Description:
The importance of wellness in everyday dental practice - expert advice to look after your mind and your body.

Dental practice is acknowledged as extremely stressful, with dentists not immune to high levels of burnout and other mental health issues, experiencing professional isolation, economic and business pressures, and dealing with difficult patients, As a consequence, mental health conditions linked to depression, anxiety disorder, psychological distress, burnout and thoughts of suicide are commonly reported at levels generally higher than found in the broader community. There continues to be a stigma attached to mental health issues, which is potentially impacting on dentists seeking appropriate professional help.

This 90-minute breakfast session will discuss recent research findings, and some strategies that practitioners can use to manage their own mental health and wellbeing, plus guidance for how to incorporate clinical strength training into daily routines. Some gentle stretching will also be encouraged before the first day of the scientific program begins!

Your masterclass presenters are Matt Hopcraft, Associate Professor of Professional Practice at the Melbourne Dental School, and Matheesha Premaratna, Principal Exercise Scientist from Keiser Australia. Both speakers are highly respected in their relevant fields and are passionate about guiding dentists to achieve long-term health throughout their careers.

Breakfast Session B – Juggling Priorities: From commencement to retirement

Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
Time: 7:00am – 8:30am
CPD Hours: 1.5
Location: Perth Room, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Cost: Members of RACDS $50 / Non-Members $75 includes breakfast

Panellists: Prof John Boucher (GDP), Dr Ellie Borgelt (GDP) and Steve Daley (Financial Broker)

Moderator: Dr Omar Ikram (Endo)

Description:
In today's fast-paced world, health professionals face the challenge of balancing multiple priorities with increased demands on their time and finances. Over breakfast, this informed panel will provide real-world insights relevant to dentists at all career stages – just starting out through to considering retirement and avenues to seek advice. If you are looking to set up your first practice, currently work across multiple sites, or are looking to increase, reduce or maintain your clinical workload, this panel will offer practical advice on ways to manage competing commitments.