If the abstract content is considered to be commercial in nature, speakers may be offered the option of a sponsored 20-minute lecture slot in the programme (details are available in the BMLA Sponsorship and Exhibition Prospectus). Company sponsored lectures approved by the Scientific Committee may be presented by invited speakers or any representative nominated by the company. Most of the programme is dedicated to selected scientific and clinical abstracts because we want to ensure that the best and most current research is presented. A company-sponsored lecture is the perfect opportunity to present your latest technology, product or protocols to the delegates. Four lecture slots (20 minutes each) will be available in the programme (subject to change). The company-sponsored lectures can be overtly commercial and may include specific product information/branding. However, whilst commercially based, the talks should also contain an element of scientific content. Abstracts should be submitted in advance to the Scientific Committee.

Before submitting an abstract you must review the Guidelines for Review and Selection of Abstracts:

Guidelines for Review and Selection of BMLA Annual Conference Abstracts

The Programme Chair performs an initial review of all abstract submissions. The Programme Chair may at his/her discretion, re-categorise the abstracts. Abstracts are then submitted to the individual Session Chairs who review, rank, and select abstracts for presentation at the BMLA Annual Conference. The Session Chairs also take into consideration the following criteria when reviewing abstracts:

• Abstracts should not normally have been published or presented previously (clinical series updates and reviews are an exception to this stipulation).

• All scientific research referred to, reported on, or used in the abstract must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

• Selection of abstracts for presentation will be limited to those abstracts that report already collected data. Abstracts must contain tangible factual information and should accurately reflect work that has actually been performed. Statements such as 'results will be discussed’ are unacceptable.

• The number of patients in the study will be taken into consideration. Scientific, well-designed studies are given preference over anecdotal findings or single experiment or case, which will also be considered for presentation at the conference.

• Abstracts will be published in Lasers in Medical Science, after the conference.

• Abstracts must be of high quality and be presented with no bias toward specific companies.

• Each author of an abstract submitted to BMLA must have made a significant contribution to the research and must assume responsibility for the content of the abstract.

• Full disclosure of Conflict of Interest (COI) is expected and required of ALL presenting authors and co-authors.

(Approved by BMLA Executive, December 4th 2014)

Submitting Your Abstract

Before you begin, please gather all information necessary to complete all stages of this process including:

Presentation category:

• Laser surgery

• Skin lasers

• Lasers in dentistry, oral surgery, implantology and endodontics

• Adult and paediatric dermatology

• Low level lasers (LLLT) and LEDs in medicine and dentistry

• Laser science and safety

• Photodynamic therapy

• Biophotonics and diagnostics

• Nursing and therapist session

• Ophthalmology

• Aesthetics

• Education and regulations in medical and cosmetic laser treatment

Presentation type: (Oral Presentation/ Invited Speaker/ Course Speaker)

Abstract content: (title, abstract and all contributing authors complete with first and last name, city and country. Conflicts and respective company is required).

Number of words in abstract: (Background and Objectives, Study Designs/Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion). Limited to 250 words.

Abstract submission

• Make sure your abstract is in on time and in the right format by following these simple steps:

• Your abstract should be no more than 250 words and should be in English.

• Keep your title concise and informative and only use capital letters for the beginning of a sentence or an acronym/name. DO NOT USE CAPITAL LETTERS FOR YOUR ENTIRE TITLE.

• List all authors’ names in full and identify a presenting author. The email address supplied when you submit your abstract will be used for all correspondence pertaining to the abstract.

• Addresses should be in the following format: Department/Institute, Organisation, Town/City, Postcode, Country

• Do not include acknowledgements in your abstracts – these will be included in your word count.

• Please ensure that the email provided when submitting the abstract will still be valid in March 2019 when the abstract notification is emailed.

• The deadline for submisison is midnight on Friday 13^th March 2020

What happens after you have submitted?

You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received. Your abstract will be sent for review after the deadline and you will be notified of the outcome by email by the end of March. Please note the notification email will be sent to the email given when you submitted your abstract.