After the postponement of the International Dental Show (IDS) to September 2021, Dentsply Sirona stands by its decision to refrain from participating after weighing all the facts. This also applies to Dentsply Sirona brands VDW, MIS, and Zhermack. Dentsply Sirona puts the safety of its customers and employees first when making these types of decisions.

According to current estimates of Dentsply Sirona, the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic are unlikely to change substantially enough to allow for Dentsply Sirona’s attendance at IDS. The company continues to assume that it will not likely be possible to implement the proximity and depth of consultation that Dentsply Sirona and its customers know and value in September. Based on existing travel restrictions, the company also continues to expect fewer national and, above all, international customer visits to Cologne. 

Walter Petersohn, Chief Commercial Officer at Dentsply Sirona, said, "This was a tough decision for us. We respect the organizers’ efforts to make this show possible by moving the 39th IDS to September 2021. However, in order to prepare for such a major trade show, we need absolute planning certainty, which unfortunately does not exist at the moment in view of COVID-19. The usual magic and buzz of the IDS can probably not be guaranteed in September 2021 because of the conditions we expect may still continue due to the pandemic. In addition, health protection of our customers and employees is a top priority. We therefore highly regret that we must refrain from participating this year, but already now look very much forward to participating in the 40th IDS."