The dental sector is seeing important breakthroughs with the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, new cosmetic materials and treatments to control pain and anxiety.

• Half of all people in Spain are afraid of the dentist and prefer to sacrifice their dental health rather than go to the clinic
• Information technology has revolutionised some diagnosis, treatment and prosthesis production methods
• New lines of research centre on regenerating the tooth
• These breakthroughs mean a substantial improvement to patients' quality of life
• The dental sector represents 80% of the healthcare technology industry, with a turnover of 455 million euros

Madrid, 13 February 2014.- Fear of the dentist is extremely common. In fact, dental phobia is so frequent that 45.5% of Spaniards would prefer to sacrifice the health of their teeth rather than go to the dentist, regardless of the fact that bad oral hygiene increases the risk of heart problems, diabetes and other systemic diseases.

The dental sector has been working steadily on technologies and systems to control patients' pain and anxiety, alongside constant new breakthroughs in minimally invasive surgery, dental prosthesis manufacturing techniques, and regenerative treatments which hasten recovery.
 
These are just a few of the new ideas that will be presented from 13 to 15 March at FERIA DE MADRID, in EXPODENTAL, the International Dental Equipment, Supplies and Services Show, organised by IFEMA in partnership with the Spanish Federation of Healthcare Technology Companies (Fenin).

This is the most important event for the dental sector and demonstrates the solidity of the companies in the sector, which cover all specialities, from anaesthesia to machinery including implants, prostheses and dental equipment.

The Show will also include the latest Information Technology products. Like other sectors, dentistry has embraced the role of new technology in dental clinics and prosthetic laboratories. These days, computer programmes can be used to design a prosthesis, which can be manufactured with a digital mill, and we now have 3D diagnoses and digital printing techniques, and CAD-CAM technology.

A growing and innovative sector
The dental sector represents 80% of the healthcare technology industry, covering the manufacture, distribution and sale of dental equipment and materials to dental clinics and prosthetic laboratories. In 2012, the volume of the dental market in Spain was 455 million euros, 6.95% less than the previous year. Since 2006, exports have increased by 24%, closing 2012 with a turnover of around 1.883 billion euros.

This presence in foreign markets is thanks to the quality of Spanish services and products. But most importantly, "in recent years we have seen great advances in dentistry, making better diagnoses and treatments possible", Fenin emphasises. These innovations mean a substantial improvement in the quality of life of patients and the introduction of more efficient processes in dental clinics and prosthetic laboratories with the application of the new technologies.

About Fenin
The Spanish Federation of Healthcare Technology Companies (Fenin) represents more than 500 manufacturing and distribution companies in Spain, accounting for more than 80% of the total turnover. Spain, Germany, the UK, France and Italy are the five countries which represent 75% of the European market. Also, the healthcare technology sector has been identified by the Ministry of Science and Innovation as a strategic agent in the healthcare field, and one of the priority markets within the State Innovation Strategy.