The CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees, which promotes clinical skills and patient care, is now open for entries to the 2025/26 competition.
Successful candidates at the composite layering course in Belgium, July 2025
In the third year of the award, dentists and dental therapists who are undertaking Dental Foundation Training or Dental Vocational Training in 2025/26, or who qualified in the UK or Ireland in 2025 and are practising in the UK or Ireland, are invited to enter. Entrants must submit a restorative case they are about to start treating which involves more than one tooth, and includes at least one anterior tooth, as well as the use of composite to restore teeth.
There are 14 winning places available, with each successful candidate receiving a fully-funded place on a hands-on, two-day composite layering course at the GC Education Campus in Leuven, Belgium. The prize is worth around £1,400 per place and includes the costs of international travel, hotel accommodation and subsistence.
The successful candidates in last year’s competition took part in the bespoke composite layering course in July 2025. One delegate described entering the award as “a thoroughly rewarding experience”, adding that even if she had not been one of the winners, “I learned a lot about composites by taking part and preparing my case.” Another commented: “the hands-on training has enabled me to gain practical experience with specific treatments, before applying them to patients, which has increased my confidence in managing these cases.”
Ruba Al-Nuaimy, dental therapist, a winner of the 2024/25 award
Ruba Al-Nuaimy, the first successful dental therapist in the competition, said she entered the award to “showcase my clinical skills and challenge myself…the perfect way to step outside my comfort zone.” Encouraging other Foundation Trainees to enter the 2025/26 competition, Ruba said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to develop skills, boost confidence, and gain experiences that can really enhance your early career.“
The 2025/26 award is now open, the closing date for entry is Friday 20 February 2026, and final cases must be submitted by Friday 24 April 2026. The winners will be announced in May, and their course will take place on Thursday–Friday 23–24 July 2026.
The CGDent-GC Award is funded by The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and organised in conjunction with the College of General Dentistry and GC. The Foundation supports educational opportunities for early career dentists in the UK, and was founded by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, a general dental practitioner with a special interest in restorative dentistry.
GC is an oral health company which manufactures dental systems and products which are sold around the world, and has won awards for its products and innovations. It provides both online and in-person training covering many areas of dental practice.
Click the button below for further information about the award and links to guidance for entrants and the entry form.
To be eligible to submit a portfolio for assessment, applicants must have at least five years’ post-qualification experience in Restorative Dentistry, and must hold Associate Membership or Full Membership of the College at the time of application. Non-members should first join the College and should allow up to two weeks for their membership application to be validated and processed.
They will then need to submit:
A log of training meeting the requirements below.
Six cases meeting the specifications below.
A comprehensive CV detailing at least five years’ post-qualification experience in roles with the appropriate responsibilities and clinical environment to meet the expected standard of patient care.
Training requirements
Applicants must have:
Completed 165 hours of verifiable training consistent with RQF Level 7, set out in a training log which details the hours and attaches the evidence for each of the required topics below, or
Completed an accredited postgraduate qualification of at least 60 RQF credits for which the transcript demonstrates coverage of the required topics below, or
Successfully completed a recognised Royal College Diploma examination
Applicants submitting evidence of training undertaken before 2010 must also provide evidence of at least 50 hours of Enhanced CPD relevant to restorative dentistry undertaken in the last 5 years.
Required topics:
Patient assessment, history and treatment planning and communication
Principles and application of occlusion
Smile design
Tooth whitening
Anterior direct restorations
Posterior direct restorations
Clinical photography
Anterior direct restorations
Posterior direct restorations
Indirect restorations – crowns, onlays and ceramic veneers
Management of tooth surface loss
Replacement of missing teeth
Endodontics
Periodontics
Contemporary caries management
Case specifications
Applicants must present a total of six anonymised cases, all undertaken within the past five years. The first three must demonstrate, respectively, endodontic, periodontic and prosthodontic management. The remaining cases can be in any of these three disciplines, however no more than half of the total number of cases may be submitted from any one discipline.
Endodontic cases must demonstrate at least one of the following:
a multirooted tooth with root curvatures 30 – 45 degrees
a tooth with canals deemed non-negotiable in the coronal third, but patent thereafter, as evidenced clinically and radiographically
a multirooted tooth with a canal length exceeding 25 mm
a tooth with incomplete root development
re-treatment of a previously treated tooth, with evidence of patency beyond an existing short root filling, provided there are no complicating factors from earlier treatment
removal of a fractured post (less than 8 mm in length)
Periodontic cases must demonstrate one of the following:
Treatment of generalised stage II, III or IV periodontitis that has true pocketing of 6 mm or more showing BOP <10% and PPD < 4mm at 1 year after treatment
Management of gingival enlargement non-surgically with a minimum of 1 year post operative review: showing BOP <10% and PPD < 4mm at 1 year after treatment
Management of a peri implant mucositis case with a minimum of one-year postoperative review showing ≤ 1 point of BOP and absence of suppuration
Management of furcation defects and other complex root morphologies when strategically important (in more than one sextant) showing stability at 1 year after treatment e.g. <10% BOP and PPD <4mm at a 1 year post operative review
Periodontal treatment that includes pocket reduction surgery in more than 1 sextant
Prosthodontic cases must demonstrate one of the following:
Occlusal reorganisation is necessary, and medium-term stability is achieved through plastic restorations, removable appliances, or both
Occlusion requires careful management to avoid premature failure of restorations (e.g., guidance for multiple restorations)
Replacement and temporisation of multiple fixed restorations, where oral condition stability/control may be at risk
Addressing anatomical challenges related to soft tissues
Compromised health of denture-bearing soft tissue
Raised or critical aesthetic or functional expectations/needs
Definitive replacement of at least three teeth involving pre-prosthetic procedures, such as: (i) abutment optimisation (ii) minor oral surgery procedures (iii) occlusal adjustments
Consent
For each case, applicants must ensure that they have the consent of the patient for inclusion in their portfolio. The bespoke Patient Information Sheet and Patient Consent Form should be used to ensure informed participation.
To submit their application, applicants will need to upload their case presentations, CV and training log (or equivalent), and pay a non-refundable Assessment Fee of £600.
Assessment will be centred around the evidence submitted, with specific emphasis on the case selection, and will include a case-based discussion. This will be undertaken by a panel of two suitably qualified assessors with experience of assessment for Postgraduate Diploma qualifications.
A successful portfolio will qualify the applicant for Associate Fellowship of the College and in addition will satisfy the Clinical & Technical domain of Fellowship. The applicant will also be able to add their successful portfolio to the College’s Register of Members and Fellows as a recognised qualification. If an application is unsuccessful, the applicant may be able to request a review by a separate panel, for which an additional Review Fee of £200 would apply.
Two successful candidates in the CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees 2024/25, Dental Therapist Ruba Al-Nuaimy and Dentist Karan Ahir, describe taking part in the competition and what they gained from the experience.
Q. What’s your dental role and which DFT Region are you in?
Ruba Al-Nuaimy: I am a Dental Therapist and Hygienist on the North West scheme.
Karan Ahir: I am a Foundation Dentist in the West Yorkshire Scheme.
Q. Why did you decide to enter the CGDent-GC Award?
RA: I entered the competition because it was a great opportunity to showcase my clinical skills and challenge myself early in my career. When I saw the award was also open to dental therapists, I knew I had to try, as it felt like the perfect way to step outside my comfort zone.
KA: I genuinely enjoy the challenge and artistry involved in placing anterior composites, which is why I decided to enter. Restoring both function and aesthetics in such a visible area is highly rewarding, and I was keen to showcase the work I have carried out in this case.
Also having the opportunity to attend a renowned anterior composite course particularly excited me, as it offered an opportunity to further refine my skills, learn advanced techniques, and ultimately deliver even higher quality outcomes for my patients. I saw this competition not only as a platform to share my work but also as a valuable step in my professional development, enabling me to continually improve and grow as a clinician.
Q:Can you describe the case you entered?
RA: The case I entered with was a 26-year old male patient with Autism and additional needs. He presented with poor OH, generalised gingivitis and multiple anterior carious lesions. I focused on stabilising the active gum disease through behaviour management and tailored advice, before moving on to restoring the anterior teeth.
KA: A 40-year-old fit and well female presented with missing posterior teeth and failing anterior restorations, beneath which was severe anterior tooth surface loss (TSL), causing functional difficulty and dissatisfaction with her appearance. The aetiology was multifactorial: past unstable GORD, high intake of fizzy drinks, and nocturnal bruxism. Posterior teeth had previously been extracted due to erosion and caries, though the patient remained periodontally stable. She declined NHS referral after being previously refused treatment, so care was undertaken locally.
Treatment provided included OHI, preventive advice, and initial composite restorations. A diagnostic wax-up was used to guide upper anterior composite build-ups at an increased OVD, completed with a palatal stent and freehand layering. A soft lower occlusal splint was provided for protection, and Co-Cr upper and lower partial dentures were fitted to restore posterior support and reduce anterior load. The patient adapted well, expressed satisfaction with both function and appearance, and was motivated to maintain reduced fizzy drink intake and attend for ongoing reviews.
Q. How will you adapt your practice as a result of attending the composite layering course?
RA: Attending the composite layering course has changed the way I approach restorative work. I feel more confident in freehand composite placement, with a stronger understanding of shade selection, anatomical build-up, and creating depth in restorations. I now follow a structured finishing and polishing routine to restore natural contours, refine surface texture, and achieve a smooth, high-gloss finish that improves both aesthetics and longevity.
I also pay closer attention to light perception in anterior cases, using both enamel and dentine shades to replicate translucency and achieve seamless, natural results. These changes have made me a more confident practitioner, able to deliver restorations that are both durable and highly aesthetic, while motivating me to continue refining my skills.
KA: After attending the composite layering course, I want to apply what I’ve learned to make my anterior restorations look as natural as possible. By using advanced layering techniques, I can better replicate the optical properties of enamel and dentine, creating restorations that blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth while remaining durable and functional.
I also feel more confident in using opaquers for discoloured cases. Now that I understand the correct technique and application, I will incorporate them more often. This will allow me to mask underlying discolouration effectively without relying on excessive dentine composite, resulting in restorations that are both more aesthetic and less bulky.
In addition, I will refine my finishing and polishing by following the protocols demonstrated during the course. This will help me achieve a higher-quality surface finish, enabling restorations to maintain their shine and resist staining for longer, outcomes that patients will both notice and value.
Q. Has your success in the CGDent-GC Award impacted you in any other ways?
RA: Winning the Award has boosted my confidence and reinforced my passion for dentistry. It has opened opportunities to network with other professionals and broaden my understanding of the dental field. This achievement has motivated me to keep developing my clinical abilities and to take on new challenges in my career.
KA: Being successful in the CG Dent-GC Award has significantly increased my confidence in anterior composite work and motivated me to continue developing my restorative skills. It has inspired me to attend further restorative courses to broaden my knowledge and stay up to date with best practices. I also aim to share the techniques and insights I’ve gained with colleagues, helping to raise standards within my team. Beyond technical skills, the award has reminded me of the profound impact well-executed restorative work can have on patients’ confidence and quality of life.
Q. What would you say to other Foundation Trainees thinking of entering the Award?
RA: I would definitely encourage Foundation Trainees to enter the award, especially Dental Therapists. It’s an amazing opportunity to develop skills, boost confidence, and gain experiences that can really enhance your early career as a Therapist. It was also a great way to socialise and connect with other Foundation Trainees in a similar position to me. I gained valuable perspective from dentists, and, in turn, they learnt more about the role of a Dental Therapist. It was really rewarding to share knowledge, learn from each other, and build a strong professional network.
KA: To any Foundation Trainees considering entering, I would say it’s a no-brainer. As part of foundation training, we’re required to present a complex case, which could likely involve anterior composite restorations – perfect for submission. Beyond showcasing your work, winning gives you the incredible opportunity to attend a world-class course in Belgium, expand your skills, and meet like-minded dental professionals who have also succeeded in the competition. It’s a chance to learn, network, and be inspired, all while gaining recognition for work you’re already doing as part of your foundation training.
Professor Igor Blum, Editor of the Primary Dental Journal (PDJ), outlines the evolution of oral medicine – the theme of the latest issue, which provides an overview and update of the field for the general dental team
The art and science of oral medicine begins with the pioneering work of Sir Jonathan Hutchinson (1828–1900), a surgeon at the London Hospital, who is also regarded in the UK as the Father of Oral Medicine.1 He reported on the dental manifestations of congenital syphilis, intraoral pigmentation and perioral pigmentation associated with intestinal polyposis, later described by Peutz in 1921.2 Subsequently, ten further cases were described by Jeghers, McKusick, and Katz who also reviewed the literature on this topic in 1949.3 Individuals with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome commonly present with an association of gastrointestinal polyps, mucocutaneous pigmentation, a familial incidence, and are at an increased risk of various cancers.
Much of the early description of oral mucosal diseases was found in dermatology textbooks, as documented in the works of the English surgeon and dermatologist Sir William James Erasmus Wilson (1809–1884).4,5 Sir William Osler (1849–1919), a Canadian physician and co-founder of the Medical Library Association of Great Britain and Ireland, recognised the importance of the oral cavity and believed that the tongue and oral mucosa reflect a patient’s overall health.6 This idea, held in various medical and traditional practices, suggests that changes in the appearance or condition of the mouth, including the tongue and soft tissues, can indicate underlying systemic health issues.
In a thoroughly researched and well written article by Professor Crispian Scully in 2016, he described the immense contributions of various stalwarts who were instrumental in the initiation and popularisation of the discipline of oral medicine over a 50-year period, between 1920 and 1970.7 In the UK, the evolution of oral medicine has its origin in oral pathology and resulted in its recognition as a dental specialty by the General Dental Council in 1998, with tribute paid to the founders of the British Society for Oral Medicine (BSOM) – the predecessor organisation of The British & Irish Society for Oral Medicine (BISOM) which was established in 1981.
Although not a substitute by any means for an extensive quality textbook on oral medicine, the editorial team felt it was timely to produce an issue of the Primary Dental Journal devoted to the common and important oral medicine conditions encountered in general dental practice. This themed issue on oral medicine is geared to primary care dental practitioners and dental care professionals as a refresher and an update on oral medicine-related diseases. The articles in this issue provide an overview of current thinking in the more relevant areas of oral medicine. The clinical aspects of the relevant disorders are discussed, including a brief overview of the aetiology, detail on the clinical features, and how the diagnosis is made. Guidance on management and when to refer is also provided, along with relevant websites which offer further detail.
A major challenge in the diagnosis of oral disease is the need for memorising long lists of oral lesions from oral medicine/oral pathology literature. This is made more difficult because many of these lesions are not frequently encountered by the primary care dental team. This new issue of the journal highlights common oral conditions that may be encountered in the dental practice. Pulpal, periapical, and periodontal diseases are intentionally not discussed in this issue since primary care dental clinicians are experienced in diagnosing and managing those conditions.
I trust that the oral medicine-themed issue of the PDJ will serve as a tabletop reference in General Dental Practice. The discussion of the entire spectrum of oral diseases is beyond the scope of this single issue; instead, we have selected what we believe to be important oral medicine conditions. The introductory article addresses an approach in formulating clinical diagnosis and management of the various types of oral candidosis. This is followed by articles on oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesions, managing a dry mouth in primary care, a review of common oral medicine conditions in children, oral facial pain, burning mouth syndrome, and chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD). Although the latter is less common, it can occur in the increasing numbers of patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants.8
The information presented is primarily aimed to cover the diagnostic aspects and an overview of patient management, including patient referral. The main objective is to provide readers with a cutting-edge update on the above topics, including raising awareness of the need to diagnose and manage patients with oral medicine conditions in primary care, and when to make a referral to an oral medicine service if available. Alternatively, a referral to a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery can be made when appropriate.
It is hoped that this themed issue will help the primary care dental team to integrate the principles of oral medicine and oral pathology into clinically applicable concepts that will enable the practitioner to develop clinical differential diagnoses and participate in definitive diagnosis through a multidisciplinary approach with dental specialty teams. It is my further hope that the reader will not only be provided with updated information as to the multiple facets of oral medicine conditions but will also find new information to further aid them in the diagnosis and management of these occasionally enigmatic disorders.
No issue of the Primary Dental Journal could come to successful fruition without the contributions of well-qualified authors. I am extremely thankful to the guest editor, Dr Emma Hayes, consultant in oral medicine, and to all contributing authors for their invaluable input to this issue. I believe that this edition of the Primary Dental Journal will be an asset and resource to the general dental practice team.
The Primary Dental Journal is the College’s quarterly peer-reviewed journal dedicated to general dental practice. The titles and abstracts of PDJ papers are available to all dental professionals via the searchable PDJ homepage, with full paper access available to College members through the PDJ Library.
Printed copies of the Summer 2025 issue on oral medicine should arrive with College members in the second half of September.
References
1 Spielman AI. History of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine, Pathology and Radiology. In: Illustrated Encyclopedia of the History of Dentistry. [Internet]. New York: History of Dentistry and Medicine; 2023. Available at historyofdentistryandmedicine.com [Accessed Jun 2025]
2Peutz JLA. Over een zeer merkwaardige, gecombineerde familiaire pollyposis van de sligmliezen van den tractus intestinalis met die van de neuskeelholte en gepaard met eigenaardige pigmentaties van huid-en slijmvliezen (Very remarkable case of familial polyposis of the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract and nasopharynx accompanied by peculiar pigmentations of skin and mucous membrane). Nederl Maandschr v Geneesk. 1921;10:134-146. Dutch.
3Jeghers H, McKusick VA, Katz KH. Generalized Intestinal Polyposis and Melanin Spots of the Oral Mucosa, Lips and Digits — A Syndrome of Diagnostic Significance. N Engl J Med. 1949;241(26):1031-1036.
4Wilson E. On The Management of the Skin as a Means of Promoting and Preserving Health (3rd ed.). London: John Churchill; 1849. Retrieved 15 June 2025. Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)
5Wilson E. On Diseases of the Skin (4th American, from the 4th & enlarged London ed.). Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea; 1857. Retrieved 15 June 2025. Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)
6Stone MJ. The wisdom of Sir William Osler. Am J Cardiol. 1995;75(4):269-276.
7Scully C. Oral medicine in academia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016;122(1):111.
8Passweg JR, Baldomero H, Chabannon C, et al. Hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy survey of the EBMT: monitoring of activities and trends over 30 years. 2021;56(7):1651-1664.
The latest issue of the Primary Dental Journal, ‘Oral medicine’, is now available to read online.
The papers in this issue of the PDJ have been brought together by Guest Editor Dr Emma Hayes, a Consultant and Clinical Lead in Oral Medicine at King’s College London Dental Institute.
A core theme in this collection of papers is to highlight the vital role that dental professionals contribute to the diagnosis and management of patients with oral medicine conditions. The issue covers the wide range of oral medicine conditions seen at various ages and stages of life, from an overview of conditions seen in the paediatric population, to salivary gland hypofunction, more often seen in an older population.
As well as common oral medicine conditions frequently encountered in dental practice, this issue of the PDJ also highlights some of the rarer conditions that may initially be presented to dentists (such as trigeminal neuralgia) and where early diagnosis is essential to improving patient outcomes. A full list of papers is below.
Dr Hayes describes the ambition for this Oral medicine issue of the journal:
“It is my hope that these papers will act as a useful reference for dental professionals into the future. I also hope that it will inspire primary dental care practitioners to continue to take an interest in oral medicine and feel empowered to participate in the early identification and management of these patients.”
This issue also marks the first where the College’s new Coat of Arms appears throughout, in light of its newly-acquired Grant of Arms received under Crown authority from the College of Arms. An image of the elaborate Grant of Arms can be seen on the inside front cover of the print edition. The News & Perspectives section of this issue examines the Grant of Arms, the symbolism behind the heraldic elements in the Coat of Arms, and how to donate to the College’s Coat of Arms fund for those wishing to secure a special place in the history of the development of the College.
Full online access to the majority of articles in this and previous issues is reserved for College of General Dentistry members and Primary Dental Journal subscribers, who can expect their printed copies to arrive by the end of September. New joiners wishing to receive a copy of this issue can let us know by emailing [email protected]
For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available to purchase via the links below.
An annual print subscription to the PDJ is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to over 1,500 current and past articles in the PDJ Library and a range of other benefits.
On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to this issue.
Poppy Dunton, the newly appointed Chair of the Board of the College’s Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, reflects on her career in dentistry and how her mantra that “every day is a school day” has supported her development.
Never would I have expected to have the career that I have had out of dentistry. I was a disgruntled 15-year-old being told my graphic design two-week work placement had pulled out. With everyone else having picked their placements, I was left with the unexpected choice of a dental practice. “A dental practice! You’ve got to be joking?” I initially thought. Yet, as I made cups of tea and filed blue forms, the hustle and bustle of the place felt surprisingly comfortable. To say I enjoyed it was an understatement.
As the two-week period ended, the principal dentist offered me a part-time after-school job – making tea and cleaning the old impression trays (pre-single use era), and earning £3.15 per hour. I jumped at the chance, feeling like I was made of money. Every day after school, I would walk and do my 4pm–6.30pm shift. When a trial day at Northampton College for photography didn’t sit right with me, I informed the principal dentist that evening. My father was called in for a meeting, and that’s when the principal dentist said, “I’ll only give her a job here, Graham, if she makes something of her life.” That evening became the catalyst for my passion in dentistry.
The evolution of my career is intricately tied to a commitment to education. I embarked on an evening college course, alongside my apprenticeship, to train to become a dental nurse. Tuesday evenings in Milton Keynes led to passing the NEBDN Certificate in Dental Nursing. Once I had this, I spent the following months learning as much as possible – four-handed dentistry, impression taking, and implant nursing. The practice grew, and another was bought over the road, giving me the chance to set up an oral hygiene programme.
Following my return from Cardiff University, where I completed a Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, I was privileged enough to be offered my job back in the practice where I had started. The first week was a week to remember; I ran an hour late, fell down the stairs, and stuck two teeth together. I had the most patient mentors, and working in an NHS practice was fantastic, allowing me to complete my full scope of practice, including paediatrics. Was it hard? Yes. Did it teach me speed and resilience? Absolutely.
After graduating in 2012, there were limited postgraduate options. Notable pursuits included constantly upskilling and working in a team supportive of therapists. Composite courses with GC in Belgium, a Level 6 qualification in employment law, and being promoted to operations manager of two NHS practices – eventually managing a team of 64 staff – led to me being offered a practice manager position four years into my career. This opened learning about people psychology, leadership and planning team meetings alongside my clinical career.
I was privileged enough to then open a squat practice alongside my principal, with a business plan for two surgeries over two years which resulted in 10 surgeries being opened over five years, including a vaccination clinic. Three CQC inspections later, and the role of CQC manager was also added to my repertoire. The most rewarding part of project managing the development of this new practice was recruiting a group of individual dental professionals and watching them grow into a wonderful team.
Upon completing the Perio School Diploma in Periodontics for Hygienists and Therapists and the Smile Dental Academy Diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry for Dental Therapists, I was introduced to the College of General Dentistry and was eager to explore the recognition I could gain as a dental therapist.
Unfortunately, the course credits were not enough per course to contribute towards Fellowship, so I joined the College’s Certified Membership Scheme (CMS) to gain guidance on how to continue advancing my career and choose the best postgraduate training to reflect my aspirations. As part of the scheme, I have regular contact with a facilitator who consistently ensures that my investment in courses leads me in the correct direction. Ongoing self-reflection allows me to constantly critique myself, and the leadership module fits well with my management of staff, completing practice meetings and public speaking. Being part of the CMS has supported me to complete a City & Guilds Diploma / ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management by enabling me to choose an appropriate course and help develop leadership qualities.
The College’s Professional Framework, which underpins the CMS, maps 22 key capabilities, many of which have played a crucial role in my journey. Emphasising the value of postgraduate education, I would encourage new graduates to embrace opportunities for further learning and to constantly be self-critical of their work. Recording self-reflection, taking photographs, and analysing what went well in each case, shadowing peers, or approaching colleagues for their opinions are essential. Don’t fear failure; it’s what makes you better.
In my experience, this profession can be challenging and, at times, isolating. There are days when running late, neglecting notes, skipping meals and even necessities like restroom breaks become the norm. The toll on one’s body—back pain, eye strain, and hand fatigue—can be significant. Looking after your long-term career is vital. Record-keeping has been one of the largest changes I’ve seen, starting in my early career with very short notes. Now, ensuring my conversations with patients are highlights in notes, and my nurses help and scribe during appointments. This has proved invaluable when a complaint arises. Protecting yourself is vital.
The most unexpected rewards in my dental therapy role often come during these challenging moments. Patient gratitude and the joy of assisting anxious individuals through treatment illuminate the darker days.
This career has allowed me ongoing dedication to continuous learning, reflecting on my mentor’s ethos of “everyday is a school day”. My commitment to education and mentorship is rooted in a desire to guide new professionals in navigating complexities while maintaining their wellbeing. In 2023, I was privileged to join the Board of the Faculty of Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy for the College, and I am even more privileged to have now been appointed Chair.
Recently I have relocated due to family illness, and this marks the end of a significant chapter in my career, prompting reflection on the unconventional path that led me to the field of dentistry, the intricacies of managing a bustling practice, combined with the personal growth and educational pursuits that defined my journey. Alongside all early career dental professionals, I continue to embrace new challenges and aspirations, remaining steadfast in my commitment to contributing positively to the ever-evolving world of dental therapy.
Further details of Poppy’s career to date, and of the role of the Chair of the Board of the Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, are available here
Dr Nathaniel-Edouard Davidson, Associate Member of the College and winner of the inaugural CGDent-GC Award, reflects on what he learntat the first Introduction to Occlusion Symposium and why you should go to the next one.
When I first saw the announcement for the Introduction to Occlusion Symposium, I was not sure if it was for me. Occlusion felt like one of those important, yet complex (and slightly intimidating) areas of dentistry where it’s difficult to apply the extensive teachings in day-to-day practice. However, after dealing with a rising number of fractured restorations, TMJ complaints, and patients reporting muscle soreness and headaches, I realised I needed to deepen my understanding.
From the moment the first lecture started, it was clear this was not just a day of theory. The symposium tackled real-world challenges that many of us face every day in practice. The sessions covered everything from the history and implications of occlusal disease to practical techniques for restoring worn dentitions; always maintaining a strong focus on understanding the “why” behind the “what.”
The first Introduction to Occlusion Symposium in London, 5 April 2025
What stood out most
One of the key points from the day was to focus on the high prevalence of occlusal disease, which is even more common than caries or periodontal disease. There are many signs that indicate the presence of occlusal disease, such as fractured cusps, worn-down restorations, mobility, gingival recession, abfraction lesions, TMJ pain, headaches. These issues often seem unrelated, however, the symposium effectively demonstrated how these issues are in fact interconnected.
“A single night of bruxism can cause as much damage as a lifetime of chewing”. This significant insight was discussed, along with how the loss of proprioception during sleep can result in forces generated by nocturnal clenching increasing tenfold. This may explain the rise in failed restorations and unexplained wear.
Practical knowledge I’m already applying
One of the best aspects of the symposium was the clear, actionable treatment planning advice. We discussed the importance of the “Five Laws” for an ideal occlusion and successful occlusal appliance:
Mutually protected occlusion
RCP = ICP around the retruded axis position
Anterior guidance
No non-working side interferences
Posterior stability
Frameworks like these make managing occlusion more straightforward.
We also explored how to manage occlusal wear with restorative approaches. One fascinating technique that stood out was the use of additive composite canine risers. We can maintain the intercuspal position, but through the use of composite additions to the canines we can reintroduce anterior guidance – this alone can disclude posterior teeth and prevent further wear. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s something I can do in day-to-day practice.
The symposium clarified occlusion terminology, particularly centric relation (RCP) versus intercuspal position (ICP). I now understand that while ICP is used for day-to-day dentistry, centric relation is stable and reproducible for complex treatments. Knowing when to use each position and whether to conform or reorganise has improved my approach.
The rule of thumb we learnt
Reorganise: when there is heavy wear, multiple restorations, TMJ symptoms, or a need to increase vertical dimension.
Conform: when the five laws of ideal occlusion (as mentioned above) are met, when there are fewer restorations to carry out, or when there are potential financial constraints.
What I’ll do differently now
Since attending the symposium, I have already started using articulating paper markings in both RCP and ICP and taking intraoral photos and scans to help with diagnosing current or potential future occlusal problems. I am more able to practically ‘see’ a reduced envelope of function. Patients who used to report “chipping front teeth” now make me think of reduced overbite and a collapsed envelope of function, rather than just failing restorations and parafunctional habits.
In addition, I am now more proactive about spotting early signs of parafunction, reducing interferences and offering occlusal splints. Perhaps most importantly, I now understand that restoring anterior guidance early might actually save the need for more invasive posterior restorations later. The symposium has motivated me to pursue further learning and has provided clear direction on where to focus my efforts.
Why should you attend the Occlusion Symposium?
This symposium did more than just teach occlusion – it sparked a genuine interest in the subject and gave me practical tools I can use right away. It is easy to overlook occlusion in favour of more popular topics in dentistry, but this symposium reinforces that getting the fundamentals right is what leads to predictable and long-lasting results.
If you are on the fence about attending a future occlusion symposium, I would say this: do it. Whether you are early in your career or years into practice, the insights you will gain are invaluable. If you are a Principal of a practice, why not encourage your Associates to attend? It is not just about protecting teeth, it is about treating the whole system, understanding function, and elevating the quality of care you can provide.
The next Introduction to Occlusion Symposium will take place in Edinburgh on Saturday 1 November 2025. Open to all dental professionals and with six hours’ CPD, tickets are just £90 for those who qualified between 2020 and 2025, and £110 for all other attendees. For further information, and to book your place, visit our event page
The College has launched a new portfolio-based route to joining its Fellowship community.
The new route, which will be available in relation to specific fields of practice, means that both Associate Fellowship and the Clinical & Technical domain of College Fellowship can now be achieved through recognition of a wealth of clinical experience and expertise, not just advanced qualifications.
Under the new scheme, those with at least five years’ post-qualification experience in the discipline for which they are applying, and who meet the specification for prior training, can submit a portfolio of six suitably complex cases, undertaken within the past five years, for assessment. The expected standard for cases is that which would be achieved with a relevant 120 credit, Level 7 Diploma or at Level 2 clinical complexity.
As well as qualifying the applicant for Associate Fellowship and the Clinical & Technical domain of Fellowship, a successful portfolio can also be published as a recognised qualification in the College’s Member Register.
Both Associate Fellowship and Fellowship of the College are open to dental professionals in all team roles.
Associate Fellowship acts as a stepping stone to Fellowship, recognising enhanced knowledge and skills as well as a commitment to lifelong learning and the highest levels of patient care. As members of the College’s Fellowship community, Associate Fellows are eligible to attend its prestigious Fellows’ Receptions, have the opportunity of ceremonial admission by the College President and may use the postnominal ‘AssocFCGDent’.
All those holding an eligible qualification can become an Associate Fellow without the need of portfolio assessment. These are:
a relevant PhD, Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma meeting the College’s eligibility criteria
Specialty membership of a Royal College or Royal College faculty
Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS)
Diploma in Postgraduate Dental Studies (DPDS)
CGDent Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics
FGDP(UK) or RCS Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry
FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry
FGDP(UK) Diploma in Primary Care Oral Surgery
Fellowship is the most distinguished membership of the College and is recognised with the postnominal designation ‘FCGDent’. It is a mark of excellence; significant commitment to the science, art and practice of dentistry; and distinction across clinical and professional domains. All dental professionals with ten or more years’ post-qualification practice may apply for Fellowship by route of experience, and to be successful applicants must provide evidence of meeting the requirements of three of five domains:
Clinical & Technical
Teaching, Learning & Assessment
Leadership & Management
Publications & Research
Law & Ethics
The Clinical & Technical domain is automatically satisfied without the need of portfolio assessment for those who meet one of the eligibility criteria for Associate Fellowship described above, or who have qualified as a:
Specialist (with demonstrable referral activity)
Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgery
Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Accredited Full Member of the British Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry.
Applications for portfolio assessment are now being accepted in Restorative Dentistry. Portfolios in Implant Dentistry will start being accepted early in 2026, with those in Orthodontics thereafter.
To find out more, and to apply, click the button below:
The next College Fellows’ Reception, incorporating the ceremonial admission of new Associate Fellows and Fellows, will take place on the evening of Thursday 5 February 2026 in London. For details, visit cgdent.uk/events
The College has appointed Poppy Dunton as Chair of the Board of its Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy.
A dental therapist working in general dental practice and implant clinics in Harrogate, York and Durham, Poppy is also a Tutor and Clinical Supervisor in Dental Hygiene at Teesside University, and as a dental business consultant helps ailing squat practices to improve their periodontal care. She was previously Operations Manager, CQC Manager and Lead Dental Therapist at a private dental practice group in Northampton. Having first worked in dentistry on a work placement as a 15-year-old, she has also been a receptionist, compliance and treatment coordinator and dental nurse.
She completed the National Certificate in Dental Nursing in 2008 and graduated from Cardiff University with a Diploma of Higher Education in Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene, where she was awarded the Johnson and Johnson Clinical Excellence Prize, in 2011. She also holds a City & Guilds Diploma in Leadership and Management, a Level 6 qualification in employment law from the Institute of Paralegals, the Perio School Diploma in Periodontics for Hygienists and Therapists and the Smile Dental Academy Diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry for Dental Therapists, and has completed training as a Menopause Coach in order to help improve the care provided to her patients.
She joined the College as an Associate Member in 2022, enrolled on the Certified Membership Scheme, was appointed to the Board of the Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy and was a facilitator at the College’s NextGen Leadership Workshop in 2023. She is also a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, the British Association of Dental Therapists, the Association of Dental Implantology and the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.
The Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy is a constituency automatically comprising all members of the College who are dental hygienists and/or dental therapists, and the Faculty Board advances the interests of these professional groups within the College. The board also includes Sarah Murray MBE, Fiona Sandom FCGDent MBE and Jyoti Sumel.
The Chair is appointed for a three-year term, and Ms Dunton succeeds Frances Robinson AssocFCGDent in the role. She will advise and report to the College Council, and will work closely with the President and the other Faculty Board Chairs – Avijit Banerjee FCGDent (Faculty of Dentists), Debbie Reed FCGDent (Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy), and Bill Sharpling FCGDent (Faculty of Clinical Dental Technology & Dental Technology) – in realising College priorities for the whole dental team.
As members of the editorial team responsible for the recent revision of Standards in Dentistry, Professor Christopher Tredwin FCGDent, Dean of Queen Mary University of London Institute of Dentistry and Lorna Burns, Lecturer in evidence-based healthcare at the University of Plymouth, introduce the updated guidance.
Professor Christopher TredwinLorna Burns
The third edition of Standards in Dentistry has been published and is now available to view online. Members of the College can also download and save it to their desktop or other devices.
The editorial team tasked with updating the guidance was led by Ewen McColl FCGDent, Professor of Clinical Dentistry and Head of Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, and included Chris Tredwin FCGDent, Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Dean and Director of Queen Mary University of London Institute of Dentistry; Robert Witton FCGDent, Professor of Community Dentistry at Peninsula Dental School and Chief Executive of Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC; Lorna Burns, Information Specialist at Peninsula Dental School and lecturer in evidence-based healthcare at the University of Plymouth; and general dental practitioners Nicola Gore FCGDent and Susan Nelson MCGDent. The team also worked closely with Abhi Pal FCGDent, then President, now Immediate Past President of the College.
The fully revised edition incorporates new and updated guidelines and standards which are appropriate for the whole primary care dental team. It follows the structure of the previous two editions, and contains two main sections: summary tables of clinical standards, and lists of guidelines, arranged topically by area of care. The publication does not intend to imply that patients should receive identical care.
Guidelines provide recommendations for effective practice in the management of clinical conditions where variations in practice occur and where effective care may not be delivered uniformly.
Clinical standards are used to describe the specific elements of care that need to be correct in order to optimise the outcomes for patients. Standards must be unambiguous and measurable.
The clinical standards tables are presented as A: Aspirational, B: Basic and C: Conditional. The A,B,C clinical standards are process measures, not outcomes.
Aspirational – gold-level standards which are not essential
Basic – minimum standard necessary to ensure patient safety
Conditional – these recommendations only apply in particular situations
Clinicians can use the aspirational standards to improve their practice whilst ensuring that basic standards are met. However, clinicians must assess each clinical situation, the circumstances and the evidence available to them, and use their clinical judgement to settle on the course of action which is in the patient’s best interests. It is recommended that clinicians explain the choices to the patient, the reasons for recommending the chosen course of action and then seek the patient’s consent before clearly justifying the reasoning and recording the consent in the patient’s records.
The editorial team drew the summaries of clinical standards from multiple, authoritative sources of guidance for primary care dentistry. All of the summary tables have been reviewed and updated for this edition, and revisions were peer-reviewed in consultation with representatives from across the UK dental sector.
There are new summary tables for Digital Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry, reflecting changes in dental care. The newly incorporated standards for Digital Dentistry recognise that dental practices are at different stages of implementing full digital workflows. Therefore, the basic standards in this table refer to the legal necessities such as meeting GDPR requirements and maintaining secure electronic systems. However, in recognition that practices will be working towards the aspirational goal of full clinical digital workflow, there is also a basic standard for members of the dental team to develop the skills and knowledge to enable the transition.
The new standards for Aesthetic Dentistry are aligned with the legal position decided by the GDC in light of the High Court ruling in the case of GDC v Jamous. Tooth whitening treatment is the practice of dentistry and can only legally and safely be carried out by registered dental professionals. The basic standards for Aesthetic Dentistry highlight the importance of communications with patients, including discussion of risks and managing expectations. There is also clear emphasis on the responsibilities of the dental care professional to act within their scope of practice, competence and training.
The new 2025 edition of Standards in Dentistry is designed for the busy practitioner as a chairside guide which compiles guidelines from multiple bodies, covering all aspects of clinical care from diagnosis to treatment.
In updating this publication, the editorial team reviewed and updated summaries of the guidelines of more than twenty, mostly UK guideline-producing bodies such as the College of General Dentistry, Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme, British Endodontic Society, British Orthodontic Society, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, and Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Dental Surgery.
This comprehensive guidance for all members of the oral healthcare team, plays an essential role in maintaining standards of excellence within general dentistry, and supports practitioners to continue providing high standards of care to their patients.
The third edition of the Standards in Dentistry is available to view online. To gain access you must be signed in as a College Member or as a free College Subscriber. Members of the College can also download it to their devices as a PDF for personal use, giving access to search, text-select and print functionality.
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