Advancing Patient Outcomes Through Data: Dr Steven Soukoulis at SICON 2026

At the recent SICON 2026 in South Africa, Dr Steven Soukoulis, Chief Investigator of the Dental Implant Registry (DIR), was invited by Southern Implants to present on his experience using one of their popular implants (MAX implants).

Dr Soukoulis’ presentation utilised his own data captured in the registry to provide insights into his usage patterns, relationships to treatment algorithms, bone grafting materials and importantly success and failure patterns.

This highlighted how clinicians can leverage DIR’s reporting capabilities to move beyond isolated case experience and adopt a more structured, data-driven approach to treatment planning. Drawing on real-world registry insights, he demonstrated how clinicians can:

• Identify trends in implant usage and performance across different systems and techniques

• Refine treatment algorithms using longitudinal data

• Enhance patient communication with accessible, documented treatment histories

• Improve predictability and consistency in clinical outcomes

A central theme of the session was the shift from anecdotal decision-making to measurable, shared evidence. By contributing to and engaging with registry data, clinicians are not only improving their own outcomes, but also strengthening the collective knowledge base of the profession.

The strong interest shown at SICON 2026 reinforces a broader global trend: the future of implant dentistry will be increasingly shaped by high-quality, real-world data. As adoption grows, registries like DIR are set to play a pivotal role, helping clinicians deliver more predictable outcomes, and ultimately, better patient care.