IDS continues to grow – dental industry defies the crisis

VOCO benefits from successful trade show

The IDS also proved its significance in 2009 as a globally leading trade show in the dental industry and even increased its prominence in the face of a worldwide financial and economic crisis. After five days of the trade show, the 33rd international dental show ended on 28 March 2009 with a significant plus in exhibitors, exhibition space and visitors. More than 1820 exhibitors (+ 4.5%) from 57 countries presented their company and products from the branches of dentistry and dental technology on a floor space of 138,000 m2 (+ 6.2%). Over 106,000 visitors from Germany and around the world came to Cologne to learn about 1100 products, advancements and novelties in the dental industry.

Signal effect in economically turbulent times

With these record figures, the IDS 2009 proved to be an event with a signal effect. Dr. Rolf Koschorrek, member of the German Federal Parliament Health Committee: "It is of enormous importance for the German healthcare industry to have a world leading trade show, such as the IDS, especially in these current economically turbulent times. The first-class export potential the German dental industry has as an industrial nation was shown at the IDS, thanks to the globally leading quality of the products and the abundance of innovations. Future success will thus come from making the healthcare market crisis-proof and creating growth, instead of managing the situation." The manufacturers also see this in the same way. Olaf Sauerbier, VOCO executive director: "As a stable, medium-sized enterprise that has a very strong customer-oriented foundation, we are not concerned in this regard. Quality and efficiency will always prevail on the market. With innovative products that impress the practitioner, in terms of both quality and cost-effectiveness, a manufacturer is also well prepared in times of crisis."

Three trends were the focus of the trade show

Three main trends were noticeable at the IDS 2009. First: The effort to retain natural teeth as long as possible, utilising early and comprehensive diagnostics as well as minimally invasive treatment methods. Second: Is a dental prosthesis necessary? If so, it should look as natural as possible and offer the highest amount of aesthetics and functionality possible. And the third trend: Increasing digitalization and integration of surgery and laboratory to support increased efficiency in the economic fabrication of prostheses.

VOCO was very pleased with interest and product requests from visitors

The IDS 2009 once again set a new course as an international communication and trading platform and bestowed most of the exhibiting companies a quantity of orders that was much higher than expected. Olaf Sauerbier, VOCO managing director, commented on the results: "I am pleasantly surprised that the trade show went perhaps even better than the IDS two years ago. We had even more visitors at our exhibition booths this time and there was a high demand for our products." The IDS, according to Sauerbier, is an indicator of how the next months or year will go. Sauerbier: "I am very optimistic that we can also count on an increase in sales for this year. I assume that the sales in the consumable materials area will be reflected in the entire field."

VOCO - new products at the IDS

The IDS demonstrated its potential as an international innovations platform again, which VOCO successfully used to present product novelties. Sauerbier: "Our top product was certainly the NDT syringe. With these application syringes that are based on the innovative non-dripping technology, inconvenient dripping, running and thus expensive material waste no longer occur. As expected, the NDT syringe was very popular and tested by many visitors at the demonstration tables that were set up especially for the innovative syringe. Amaris Gingiva is another new product; a gingiva shaded, highly aesthetic, light-curing composite that permits aesthetic restorations even if the cervical regions are exposed. As a third new development, we presented Ionolux, a resin-reinforced, light-curing, glass ionomer restorative that combines the advantages of both material classes. Ionolux was received especially well due to its consistency and shade selection."

Special product information regarding "Oral Care" and "Technical Products"

VOCO was represented with two exhibition booths at the IDS. A special, practice-oriented booth was located next to the main booth that focused on providing information relevant to the fields of "oral care and "technical products". Visitors to the "oral care" area received an overview of proven and new prophylaxis preparations (Bifluorid 12 and Bifluorid 10, VOCO Profluorid Varnish and VOCO Profluorid Varnish SingleDose), home bleaching systems (Perfect Bleach 10 % and Perfect Bleach 17 %) and other products, such as Periocur sensitive, the equally effective and biocompatible liquid wound cover for the treatment of oral inflammation. The "technical products" area focused on relining materials (Ufi Gel hard C, Ufi Gel SC), cleanser for impression trays and instruments (Traypurol tabs) as well as halogen and LED polymerisation tools (Individo Light Box, Celalux 2).

New corporate identity as "The Dentalists"

Another innovation that was noticeable at the IDS was the new corporate identity of VOCO as "The Dentalists". Sauerbier: "With the slogan "The Dentalists", we are emphasising a standard that was established with "Creativity in Research" and which we also want to fulfill in the future: the development of innovative, high-quality dental materials according to the latest scientific findings and subject to a certified quality assurance system. The slogan "The Dentalists" expresses VOCO's exclusive specialisation in dentistry. As dental material specialists, we only concentrate on this field of activity and maintain close cooperation with dentists."

VOCO-Lectures in the Speakers´ Corner

The lectures from numerous speakers in the Speakers' Corner at the IDS were met with great interest. In this area, the exhibitors and organizations provided information about products, services and technology. The topic of each half-hour lecture ranged from implant systems, prostheses and dental aesthetics to CAD/CAM, laser technology, and practice management. VOCO also participated in this highlight of the general programme with the lectures "Light-curing, glass ionomer cements - a good alternative" and "High aesthetics with little effort". VOCO experts Dr. Christian Plath and Klaus Peter Hoffmann discussed the new products Ionolux and Amaris Gingiva and subsequently answered questions from the audience. Klaus Peter Hoffmann (dentist, dental technician and product manager at VOCO): "The lectures offered the opportunity to go into specific details about innovative material classes and current trends in dentistry for both the exhibitors and the visitors: A program that was offered at the IDS that was met with great interest."

Tombola for a weekend in Cuxhaven

The dealer day as a prelude to the IDS this year also offered the dental depot representatives the opportunity to get detailed information about the exhibitors' new products before the huge rush of visitors. The depot employees could additionally participate in a special offer with VOCO. Matina Antonopoulou, VOCO employee from Athens, served as the good luck fairy and determined the winner of the drawing. The winner received an extended weekend for two at a comfortable beach hotel in Cuxhaven, a North Sea spa resort town in Germany and headquarters of VOCO GmbH. Ms. Antonopoulou: "I am familiar with Cuxhaven, since product training courses are regularly conducted there. I always look forward to visiting the tranquil city on the sea that offers numerous recreational activities and relaxation, especially during the summer. Congratulations and have a great time in Cuxhaven!"

The next IDS will take place in Cologne, Germany 22-26 March 2011.

Press contact:
Dr. Olaf Krems, VOCO GmbH – Public Relations
Phone: +49 (0) 4721 719-187, E-mail: o.krems@voco.de