Dental vendors, practitioners upbeat at crowded IDS 2011

Mar 27, 2011

Once again the International Dental Show (IDS), held March 22-26 in Cologne, Germany, demonstrated why it is the world's leading dental trade show, with more than 115,000 visitors (up 9% from the 2009 IDS) from 148 countries and 1,956 exhibitors (up 7%) from 58 countries in attendance.

As a result, the exhibit hall floor was bigger this year as well, covering the equivalent of 20 soccer fields or 36 acres (up 5%).

And IDS continues to prove that it is truly an international meeting, with 66% of exhibitors (up 9%) and 42% of attendees (up 20%) coming from outside of Germany. Central and South America, Australia, the U.S., and Canada accounted for most of the increase, but there were also stronger showings from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, U.K., Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, India, and China. And 85% of the visitors were there to make buying decisions or contemplate new purchases and products, according to show organizers.

This year's International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, had more than 1,900 exhibitors and over 115,000 attendees.

U.S. vendors again had their own pavilion, where exhibitors could meet with current and potential customers and distributors from all over the world in a pleasant atmosphere. For some U.S. companies, IDS accounts for 50% or more of their exports and is therefore regarded as the most focused and cost-effective meeting of all.

The Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear situation are said to have had no major impact on Japanese manufacturers, according to vendors at IDS. None of the 32 Japanese exhibitors had to cancel their attendance at the show, although partial stoppages in production were reported by NSK and Dentsply. In addition, Shofu confirmed having to deal with problems related to transportation and electricity cuts. Donations to help those in the affected areas could be made at many booths, where also words of empathy for Japan could be overheard throughout the show.

"The increase in international attendance establishes IDS as the world's leading dental show," said Martin Rickert, chairman of the German Dental Industry Association (VDDI) and CEO of Sanavis Group. "We also observed a high quality of contacts and feedback between industry and trade, as well as industry and dentists/labs," which bodes well for the year ahead, he added.

New products showcased

The upbeat mood translated into increased business based not only on novelties but on the down-to-earth needs of everyday dentistry. Show organizers created a New Products Database (in English, free) that lists 870 products from all over the world that were showcased during the meeting.

Attention focused on innovative products and technologies. Digital pathways and workflows -- from intraoral scanning and cone-beam CT to alloy/zirconia milling and guided implants -- again drew much attention. Also of interest was anything to help improve prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment for both patient and dentists, including the following:

Multiuse ultrasonic systems
Root canal filing or filling/measuring instruments, systems, or materials
New/improved restorative materials
Improved caries detection (without radiation)
Improved materials for aesthetic crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, and implants

German market recovery

Another positive sign seen at IDS is economic recovery in the German dental industry. The more than 200 VDDI member companies generated sales of over 4 billion euros in 2010 (up 6.85%), according to the trade organization. Sales in Germany increased by 3.3% to 1.67 billion euros. Sales abroad were up 9.6% to 2.341 billion euros, with more increases expected this year in all markets, according to VDDI.

Having sufficient scope for investment in innovation is seen as paramount by VDDI for dental care to "guarantee a reasonable reconciliation of the interests of patients -- be they social (health) insurance contributors or self-paying patients -- dentists, dental technicians, and the dental industry," the organization said.