Join Marty for IDS 2013

What is IDS 2013? Only the world's largest dental trade show, with more than 120,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors.

The International Dental Show (IDS) is held every two years in Cologne, Germany. All images courtesy of Koelnmesse.

The International Dental Show (IDS) is held every two years in Cologne, Germany. All images courtesy of Koelnmesse.

The International Dental Show (IDS) is sponsored by the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI); GFDI, the commercial enterprise of the VDDI; and Koelnmesse. It is held every two years in Cologne, Germany, and is very much an international show, with two-thirds of the exhibitors and almost half the participants coming from abroad.

IDS provides an opportunity to see the latest products and technological developments in dental medicine. In many cases, the products I saw two years ago have only just recently entered the U.S. dental market.

This show is so large it is divided up into pavilions. (Think of the large dental conventions in the U.S., such as the ADA Annual Session or Greater New York Dental Meeting and multiply the size by five.) The pavilions house giant company booths that, in some cases, have complete restaurants and bars in them. You have to stroll between huge convention floors in multiple buildings, many with more than one floor.

There is no continuing education at this show so you will not see dentists in classrooms. Often, the education takes place right in the booth. Some companies build complete (some sealed) dental surgical suites, and patients are treated right on the convention floor in the company booth, with the procedures displayed on large monitors.

At IDS, some companies build complete dental surgical suites and patients are treated right on the convention floor in the company booth.

At IDS, some companies build complete dental surgical suites and patients are treated right on the convention floor in the company booth.

So over the next few days, I will be reporting back on the many dental products and technologies that I encounter while strolling through the exhibit halls. Stay tuned!

Marty Jablow, DMD, lectures and consults extensively about integrating technologies into the modern dental practice (www.dentaltechnologycoach.com).

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, product, or organization.