IDS 2009 leaves dental industry smiling

Mar 29, 2009

COLOGNE, GERMANY - Despite the turmoil in the worldwide economy and cautious expectations after the less than convincing Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, the 33rd International Dental Show (IDS; March 24-28) was a clear success, according to show organizers and attendees alike.

Attendance was up at this year's International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany.

Even before the end of the show, Martin Rickert, chairman of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI), confirmed that all relevant numbers show an upward trend. Most of the 1,818 exhibitors (up 4.5%) from 57 countries reported good to excellent business during the show, generally beyond expectations. This opinion was shared by many of the 189 U.S. exhibitors as well. The number of attendees was up also, by nearly 7%, with more than 65% from abroad. IDS 2007 was attended by 1,742 exhibitors from 55 countries and 100,522 visitors from 149 countries,

In a report issued March 30, industry analyst Jeffrey Johnson of Robert W. Baird noted that "extensive checks at last week's IDS tradeshow suggest [the] European dental market is currently flat/up slightly and holding better than [the] U.S. dental market" and "attendance was robust/likely up vs. 2007 and, according to most sources, order trends were healthier than expected." However, he added, "many sources expect further deterioration in [the] European dental market trends if [the] U.S. economy continues to decline."

Vertical integration, particularly within the prosthetics market, was a key theme of this year's IDS, Johnson added. A number of product launches and acquisitions announced at the show focused on expanding the range of prosthetic-related options, including implants, implant drilling guides, customized abutments, lab-based CAD/CAM scanners and millers, and ceramic/metal materials, he noted.

IDS takes place in Cologne, Germany, every two years and is considered the world's leading trade show and sector meeting place for decision-makers from the dental industry, dental practices, dental labs, and the specialist dental trade. It also serves as a global platform for business, communication, trade, research and development, and product presentation. It is organized by the Society for the Promotion of the Dental Industry (GFDI), the commercial arm of the VDDI. The next IDS will be held March 22-26, 2011.

Carlheinz Swaczyna was a general dentist in Krefeld, Germany, for 30 years before retiring in 2007. He writes regularly for the weekly German dental publication DZW - Die Zahnarztwoche.