South West Study Club
22 January 2026 7:00PM – 10:00PM
A Stitch in Time: Evidence-Based Management of Peri-Implant Diseases Using the S3 Clinical Practice Guidelines
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Presented by: Dr Claire McCarthy
Host: Joanna Sutcliffe
Date: 22 January 2026 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Time: 1900 Refreshments 1930 Lecture
Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Exeter Sandy Park, Sandy Park Way, Exeter, EX2 7NN
Join your Host Dr Joanna Sutclife with Presenter Dr Claire McCarthy for this insightful Study Club Evening on Peri-implantitis and Implant Maintenance.
As dental implants become increasingly common in clinical practice, so too does the responsibility of maintaining them long term. Peri-implant diseases, particularly mucositis and peri-implantitis, pose a significant threat to implant survival if not detected and managed early. This evidence-based session will unpack the S3 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the treatment of peri-implant diseases, translating the international consensus into practical, clinical strategies for all clinicians involved in provision of implant care.
The lecture will focus on three key components of supportive implant therapy that align with the S3 recommendations: examination and early detection, professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR), and patient empowerment. We will begin by exploring what constitutes a comprehensive implant examination and the identification of clinical markers associated with disease progression. Next, we will examine the instruments and techniques considered safe and effective for debriding titanium surfaces and prosthetic components, drawing directly from the guideline recommendations. Finally, we will discuss how to involve patients in their own care through personalised education, improved communication, and behavioural support strategies that promote long-term implant success.
This session will help clinicians feel confident in delivering supportive implant therapy that is not only effective and patient-centred, but also fully aligned with the latest scientific evidence and international best practice.
AIM
To provide clinicians with a clear, practical understanding of the S3 Clinical Practice Guidelines for peri-implant disease and how to apply them confidently in supportive implant therapy appointments.
Learning objectives
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Explain the key elements of a peri-implant examination protocol, including clinical markers and radiographic assessment, in line with the S3 guidelines.
- Identify S3-supported tools and techniques for safely and effectively removing biofilm and deposits from implant and prosthetic surfaces.
- Describe strategies for involving patients in implant maintenance, improving adherence to recall intervals and home care, and preventing disease progression.
Biography
Dr. Claire C. McCarthy PhD MA Ed. PGCE CERT Ed. RDH FAETC RDN FHEA FCGDent FDTFEd
Clinical Research Fellow & Clinical Teacher Periodontology, Kings College London, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences.
Claire graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2000 and joined King’s College London (KCL) in 2004. She completed a master’s degree in Higher and Professional Education at UCL in 2007 and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2008.
She has taught undergraduate and postgraduate students in periodontology since joining KCL and served as Programme Lead for BDS1 and BDS2 Periodontology for eight years. Her teaching includes non-surgical periodontal therapy, clinical supervision, and research project supervision.
In 2020, she received the Robin Davies Research Award for work on peri-implant mucositis. She was awarded Fellowship of the College of General Dentistry in 2023 and Faculty Membership of the British Society of Periodontology in 2024. That same year, she completed a PhD in Clinical Dentistry at KCL on aerosol prevention and ultrasonic device performance, receiving the KCL Outstanding Thesis Award.
Claire is currently based at Guy’s Hospital as a Clinical Research Fellow and Clinical Teacher in Periodontology. She is project lead on projects investigating ultrasonic instrumentation, aerosol reduction, and implant decontamination, and is part of the 2025 MedTech Accelerator Programme in collaboration with the London Institute of Healthcare Engineering.
Her academic interests include pedagogy, scaffolding learning, and integrating theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. She received a KCL Teaching Award for Student Support in 2025 and an international travel award for developing an oral hygiene and patient engagement toolkit using AI.
She chairs the Accreditation Committee for the Irish Dental Council and serves as an External Assessor for Malta’s Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). She has served four terms on the BSDHT Council, was the DCP representative on the BSP Early Career Group and has been a Visiting Scholar at NYU College of Dentistry since 2014. She is the current Staff President of the KCL Dental Society for 2025–2026.
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