Get published!

Clare Denton, editor of Bites, the College’s monthly e-newsletter, offers advice on getting your writing published.

It is becoming increasingly common for dental practitioners to raise their professional profile by creating interesting, relevant content and getting it published on one of the many platforms and channels now available. The Primary Dental Journal (PDJ), is the College’s quarterly, peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles written by a variety of authors. You can read the specific author guidelines for the PDJ here.

There are several types of writing you can generate – reporting on clinical research, opinion pieces or more informal writing about experiences and ideas. If you specifically want information about conducting clinical research and publishing the results, you’ll find a comprehensive and free set of guidance on the CGDent website which will tell you everything you need to know – An Introduction to Research for Primary Dental Care Clinicians.

Here are some general tips about how to be a successful writer and publish your work.

1.  Choosing your audience and topic 

Your audience and article topic go hand-in-hand. Particular topics, or the angle you choose to focus on, may only interest dental professionals with certain special interests, and vice versa.  It’s crucial that your topic, the angle you take and your audience all align. It helps if you’re interested in the subject matter too. 

Read other articles on your chosen subject. Is there already a lot written about this? Can you approach the issue from a new perspective?

2.  Identify where you want your work to be published

Different channels and mediums demand different styles and tone of writing. A blog can be informal, whereas an article in a peer-reviewed journal would demand a more formal, academic style. Many publications have specific editorial guidelines to follow. Contact the Editor before you start writing to ensure they would consider publishing your writing. 

3.  Plan your work

Contact the publication’s Editor or editorial team and ask for clear deadlines and a schedule for the issue. You’ll need to know when you will receive peer review comments or editorial feedback, and when you are expected to have revised your paper. Most journals ask for a quick turnaround (three days usually) which you need to be prepared for.

4.  Attention-grabbing headline 

Although the title is the first thing your reader will see, it’s a good idea to leave composing it until you’ve finished writing your piece; the stand-out point of your piece will be much clearer. Titles should be eye-catching, humorous or clever, but also a true summary of the content.

5.  Give credit where it’s due

Compelling images or video to accompany your article are vital. Check the copyright of any visual material included and if necessary, obtain a permissions licence from the copyright holders and credit them. 

6.  Include a variety of voices

Incorporate poignant quotations from different stakeholders to bring your work to life. Quotations reinforce and validate the points you are making, add more detail and give a personal perspective from key players. If quoting from existing published work, make sure to cite the sources on your reference list.

Author bio

I have been the Editor of Bites since 2017, when I first started working with the Faculty of General Dental Practice and now the College of General Dentistry. My career in marketing and communications is centred around creating engaging content in digital and print, and I particularly enjoy the visual and editorial challenges this brings. When I’m not working, I manage a busy family life and indulge in long-distance running (my longest race so far is a half-marathon) and discussing the latest reads with my book club.

If you’re a CGDent Member and would like to write a blog for our Student Advice page, get in touch and tell us about your blog idea at [email protected]

This student advice blog was originally published by FGDP(UK) and has been republished by the College of General Dentistry with the author’s permission.

Bruxism diagnosis management

Friday 29 September 2023, London

Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE

Bruxism can cause multiple debilitating problems throughout the body and can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to manage.

This one-day course was designed to help clinicians, including dental professionals, understand the condition and learn how to diagnose it sooner and create realistic and achievable multi-disciplinary treatment plans.

Expert speakers explored the cause and effects of Bruxism, discuss diagnosis and examined possible treatments. The programme ends with a Q&A session with Professor Gilles Lavigne.

Speakers:

  • Barabara Carey, Consultant in oral medicine
  • Luke Cascarini, Consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon and head and neck surgeon
  • Gilles Lavigne, Specialist in oral medicine
  • Sara McNeillis, Consultant in sleep medicine and anaesthesia
  • Javier Moraleda, consultant ENT
  • Clare Simon,  lead and founder of The London Dental Sleep Clinic

Fees:

  • Dentist £150
  • Dental Team £99

**COLLEGE MEMBERS RECEIVE 20% DISCOUNT IF THEY BOOK BY MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 31 JULY 2023**

(You must sign in to the website in order to view the member discount code)

For more information on the Bruxism Diagnosis Management course, click here.

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The Hall Technique

CGDent on-demand webinar, Thursday 21 September 2023

This CGDent on-demand webinar explores the use of the Hall Technique for managing caries in primary molars and focuses on the theory, indications and contraindications for the use of the Hall Technique. Tips for the placement of Hall crowns, the structuring of appointments, challenges with the Hall technique and how to overcome potential difficulties which may arise are discussed. 

Speakers:

  • Reuben Bennett, DCT2 currently working in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Medicine in Bristol
  • Yi Loo, Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry at King’s College Hospital, London
  • Nabeel Ilyas, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry, Registrar in Birmingham Community NHS trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital

CPD approx 1.5 hours

GCD development outcomes: C

This recorded webinar is hosted by the College of General Dentistry and powered by our CPD delivery partner, ProDental CPD – watch below.

It is free to view live for all dental professionals, and College members also have free access to the recorded webinar and can claim CPD hours for free. A £20 fee will apply for non-members who wish to claim CPD.

Membership of the College of General Dentistry is open to all registered dental professionals.  Membership is available from £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

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Dental Therapists and Aesthetic Dentistry

CGDent on-demand webinar, Thursday 7 September 2023

This CGDent webinar examines the role of Dental Therapists in providing aesthetic dentistry within a UK dental practice setting. We will review patient access through collaborative working and a shared care model, referrals, and direct access.

Speakers:

  • Arabella Marques, Dental Therapist
  • Linzy Baker, Dental Therapist

CPD approx 1.5 hours

GCD development outcomes: A, B, C , D

This webinar is hosted by the College of General Dentistry and powered by our CPD delivery partner, ProDental CPD – watch the recording below.

It is free to view live for all dental professionals, and College members also have free access to the recorded webinar and can claim CPD hours for free.  A £20 fee will apply for non-members who wish to claim CPD.

Membership of the College of General Dentistry is open to all registered dental professionals.  Membership is available from £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

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Indemnifiers: seek advice from the right sources

Dental indemnity organisations have issued a consensus statement encouraging dental professionals to make sure they seek advice from appropriate sources when patient safety incidents occur.

The organisations – BDA Indemnity, the Dental Defence Union, Dental Protection, the Medical & Dental Defence Union of Scotland, All Med Pro, Densura and Professional Dental Indemnity – formed a working group as part of ‘Project Sphere’, an NHS England-led patient safety forum, in order to help move away from the ‘blame culture’ in the profession.

The consensus statement, which is hosted by the College here, discourages use of social media and other informal information sources – which have the potential to leave dental professionals misinformed – and reassures dental professionals that “there is no limit to the number of times you can call for advice, and the frequency of calls does not impact individual indemnity fees.”

Project Sphere is chaired by Jason Wong FCGDent, Deputy Chief Dental Officer for England, and the College is represented in the project by Dr Mick Horton FCGDent, former Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) and now Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees.

The full consensus statement is available at https://cgdent.uk/indemnity-consensus-statement/

Members of the College of General Dentistry receive a discount on their Dental Protection subscription fees. Full Members qualify for a 5% reduction on their fee, and those admitted to Fellowship benefit from an 8% discount. For further information, visit https://cgdent.uk/discounts/

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Huge potential, but dentistry remains isolated – President’s message to healthcare integration committee

The President of the College, Dr Abhi Pal, has given evidence to the House of Lords Committee on the Integration of Primary and Community Care.

Addressing Peers remotely during an evidence session held yesterday afternoon, he said that while there are huge potential benefits for patients if dentistry were to become more integrated within wider NHS care delivery, in practice dental care provision remains isolated.

Dr Pal, a general dental practitioner and Principal of an NHS-contracted dental practice in Edgbaston, said there has been a lack of national policy to promote such integration, and that the current dental contract, along with other systemic constraints, actively gets in the way of achieving it.

In wide-ranging evidence, he also:

  • said dental representation and input into Integrated Care Boards was inadequate and needs to be formalised and properly resourced
  • noted the role of dental hygienists, therapists and nurses, in addition to dentists, in providing preventive messages in areas like diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity and smoking
  • highlighted the bidirectional links between some oral health conditions and some wider health conditions, and the effects of the management of each on the other
  • referred to the ‘pockets of innovation’ in integrative care and flexible commissioning, such as the limited number of local and regional pilots around urgent care, diabetes and older patients, but made clear that they are exceptions to the norm
  • suggested that access within dental practices to patients’ medical records could enhance patient care

Dr Pal – the first elected President of the College, which became fully operational in 2021 – was speaking alongside representatives of the College of Optometrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and is the only representative of the dental profession out of over 60 individuals who have either given evidence to the enquiry to date or are currently scheduled to do so.

In March, he addressed the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee as part of an oral evidence session on NHS dentistry in England, telling it that if the government wishes to retain and reinforce the NHS dentistry workforce, it needs to offer greater professional fulfilment and recognition in addition to reforming the NHS contract.

Last year, he also visited No.10 Downing Street for a discussion on access to careers and progression in dentistry, and he has previously discussed these issues with the Shadow Health Secretary.

A transcript of the House of Lords evidence session featuring Dr Pal is now available at https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/13151/pdf/

The portion of the session featuring Dr Pal can be viewed above, and the full session can also be viewed online at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5fc7fcce-a4f8-484a-9d43-25250ac5ece5

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Why I became a Life Fellow

Alasdair Miller FCGDent talks to Nairn Wilson CBE about becoming one of the first Life Fellows of the College.

Alasdair Miller FCGDent (left) and Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (right)

Nairn: Alasdair, first and foremost congratulations on becoming a Life Fellow of the College. A few questions, if I may; firstly, what do you hope to contribute to the College as a Life Fellow and member of the 1992 Circle?

Alasdair: I was attracted to the College as its career pathway seemed ideally suited to a practitioner’s working life and rather mirrored my less structured career development with life-long learning at its heart. I have been very fortunate in my career and becoming a Life Fellow and member of the 1992 Circle allows me to stay in touch and continue to contribute.  I have assisted with the development of the College’s Certified Membership scheme, based on my experiences as Programme Director of Bristol University’s Open Learning for Dentists and updating the arrangements for Certified Membership Facilitators. Life Fellowship was a logical progression for me: FFGDP to FCGDent to Life Fellow, to support the College as it develops and give something back.

NW: Growth in the number of retired and, in particular, Life Fellows would be a great boon for the College. Why should retired colleagues eligible for FCGDent ‘By Equivalence’ or ‘By Experience’, who are not yet members of the CGDent, consider joining the College?

AM: I have always enjoyed the collegiate nature of the profession and company of colleagues. The College, specifically the 1992 Circle provides a ‘home’ for like-minded retired colleagues who wish to stay connected and involved in the profession, albeit they are no longer practising. Fellowship of the College ‘By Equivalence’ or  ‘By Experience’ allows retired colleagues to have their professional experience and achievements recognised and valued, with opportunity, amongst other things, to support young colleagues and put something back into the profession.

NW: What message would you like to send to existing retired Fellows of the College to encourage them to become Life Fellows?

AM: If one is retired and a Fellow, I would ask: What’s stopping you becoming a Life Fellow? In so doing, you provide invaluable support to the fledgling College, helping it to grow and prosper to become the Royal College all Fellows wish it to become.

NW: Is it a strength of the College that all members may aspire to becoming a Life Fellow in retirement?

AM: Yes, it is a strength, specifically as it applies to all members of the dental team. While becoming a Life Fellow in retirement is a personal choice, I hope that all retired Fellows, present and future will consider it a way of enabling the College to continue to grow and prosper.

NW: Finally, as one of the College’s first Life Fellows, what would you most like the College to achieve as it continues to grow and prosper?

AM: I hope the College’s Career Pathway will be valued by the profession and as many practitioners as possible travel up it and become Fellows. Having a structured plan for professional development that is customised to one’s own aspirations and circumstances is unique. The Pathway is a way to have your career development recognised and validated, whilst at the same time acquiring skills and knowledge in areas of interest that support a member’s professional aspirations. It encourages continuous improvement for the benefit of patients, the profession and the professional. I anticipate the College developing programmes that enable College members and others to meet the challenges of modern practice life. In the process, it is to be hoped that the College will be granted a Royal Charter.

NW: Alisdair, many thanks for your insightful views and comments. It is most encouraging and reassuring to know that the College will be able to avail itself of your wisdom and wise counsel during your lifetime.  Thank you on behalf of the College for your commitment and most generous support. Enjoy being a Life Fellow.

Subject to being 65 or over and no longer registered with the GDC or an equivalent body, eligibility for Life Fellowship of the College is automatic for retired former Fellows of the FGDP, and for retired current or former Fellows of CGDent, the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry or any of the faculties of dental surgery or dentistry of the Royal Colleges of the UK or Ireland. Retired colleagues from across the spectrum of oral healthcare who satisfy the criteria for Fellowship are also encouraged to apply. Further information is available here.

Nairn Wilson is President Emeritus of the College. Those interested in becoming a Life Fellow are invited to contact him at [email protected]

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Dental practices sought for pulpitis research

General dental practices are being sought for an NHS-funded research project, and the researchers are encouraging CGDent members to apply to participate.

The study into Pulpotomy or root canal treatment for the management of Irreversible Pulpitis in mature teeth (PIP study) compares the effectiveness of full pulpotomy and root canal treatment for irreversible pulpitis in permanent pre-molar and molar teeth.

Following a successful feasibility study which informed the final design of the PIP study, the researchers are now looking to recruit general dental practices in Scotland and England to each support the recruitment of approximately 11 participants and follow them up at one year. Training, support and remuneration are provided.

The project is being conducted by the Universities of Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, King’s College London, plus NHS Education for Scotland and the Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials and was commissioned by the NHS National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

PIP study details

Patient participants will need to be at least 16 years old with symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis in a pre-molar or molar tooth with deep caries and/or a deep restoration. They must be seeking treatment at an NHS dental practice and receive a full pulpotomy.

Patients whose teeth have immature roots, clinical or radiographic signs of a necrotic pulp, insufficient tissue for a restoration or a poor prognosis (e.g. internal or external resorption) will not be eligible, likewise those with presence of a sinus, tenderness to percussion, buccal tenderness, pathological mobility or evidence off pathology on a periapical radiograph. All participating patients must be able to give informed consent.

Dentists taking part in the study will receive training, with fees and verifiable CPD provided, as well as remuneration covering set up costs, the cost of administration at the start and end of the study, service support cost and attendance of the end of study conference. You would continue to claim NHS fees and any charges for private treatment in the usual way.

Further information is available here. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please email PIP‐[email protected] or complete the site initiation questionnaire.

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College Council election – vote now!

Voting is now open for the South East and South West Thames seat on the Council of the College of General Dentistry, and eligible members are encouraged to cast their ballot.

Four candidates are standing, and Full Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows of the College who have registered an address with the College which is within its South East and South West Thames region are entitled to vote.

The Council is the voice of our members, overseeing our role as a professional body and guiding the development of the College to fulfil its mission. Council members serve three-year terms and elections are held annually on a rotational basis. The elected candidate for the South East and South West Thames region is due to serve from June 2023 – June 2026.

The candidates are listed alphabetically by surname below, together with their election statements, and the deadline to vote is 2359 on Friday 26 May 2023.

All eligible members as of 17 March 2023 have been sent an email by the College’s election services provider, Mi-Voice, to the email address which the member has registered with the College. This contains the unique link/details they will need to cast their ballot online.

Please ensure that your membership of CGDent remains up to date before you vote, otherwise your vote might not count. The CGDent Member Register displays a list of all current Full Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows, together with their College region.

Each member’s allocated region is determined by the postal address they have registered with the College. This must be where the member either lives or works, and will be where their copies of the Primary Dental Journal and all other physical correspondence is sent. Your registered address can be updated in My Account following any change of location. A map of the College’s regions is here.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you think you are a Full Member, Associate Fellow or Fellow of the College but cannot find yourself on the Member Register, or if any of your listed details are incorrect.

If you need to renew your membership, you can do this easily online here.

If you are an Associate Member considering upgrading your membership in order to vote, or a non-member considering joining in order to do so, you will need to allow 1-2 weeks for the process to complete and for your unique voting details to be issued to you. Late votes will not be counted.

Following the election, the results will be announced on Wednesday 31 May 2023.

If you are an eligible member but cannot find the email from Mi-Voice inviting you to vote in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folder, and if necessary double-check the email account you have registered with the College by logging in at https://cgdent.uk/my-account.

If you experience any technical difficulties submitting your vote(s), please contact Mi-Voice at [email protected] or on 02380 763987.

Candidates for the South East and South West Thames seat

Anthony Bendkowski

“I enjoy working as a part of a team contributing both experience and humour. I have a proven ability in bringing teams together so that they can achieve more together than they could individually.”

Candidate statements

Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.

Qualifying in 1983 from University College Hospital Dental School, based in the South-East for all of my working life. I am a specialist oral surgeon and have worked in all sectors including general practice, community service, hospital, university and a long standing commitment as chair of our local dental committee. I run an 8 surgery general and specialist practice in South-East London and an implant referral practice in Maidstone.

I have a strong interest in developing pathways for lifelong education and training. I believe that primary care is the home of a high quality patient journey and is the environment for each member of the dental team to develop a fulfilling career.

For me, the College of General Dentistry is the new voice for our profession in primary care. I want to help this voice to be heard clearly for the future with all the many challenges that face us.

Why did you decide to stand for election?

I have decided to stand because I believe that the profession is facing many challenges for the future including recruitment, over-regulation, litigation, underfunding and the prevailing economic situation. I want to help and support the College to be heard as the cohesive and authoritative voice of our profession and to overcome these challenges.

What are your ambitions for the organisation?

For the College to expand its membership and to take its rightful place at the table representing our profession at all levels.

For the college to become the home of a comprehensive pathway of training ,education and qualifications for the dental team.

Give some examples from your professional or personal life that show you have the right skill set to make a contribution to the work of the Council.

Commitment to practice based research – participating in two ongoing multicentre clinical studies in implantology.

Various research and professional publications over many years.

Ongoing commitment to lifelong training and education.

Chair of Greenwich and Bexley LDC for over 15 years.

Past President of Association of Dental Implantology. Organised national conferences and study clubs. Contributed to development of implant training standards guidance with GDC and FGDP.

Lecturer for Brighton and Sussex Medical School Implantology  postgraduate program – helped to develop and implement the program.

Board member of PEERS DentsplySirona Implantology Training and Education Group help to organise national meetings.

Lecture extensively both nationally and internationally.

Member of Faculty of Surgical Trainers (RCS Ed).

Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons (London).

I am an active airshow/display pilot and own and fly a pair of vintage aircraft in a display team.

Ivy Glavee

“To make a difference and create a structure, process and outcome as well as offer innovative solutions to the needs of the organisation and encourage skillmix to address the shortage of dental health care professionals in areas that need them. To implement an Oral health programme to address high decay.”

Candidate statements

Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.

I am a Mentor, Poet, Teacher, Visionary and Author of the book Positive Work Life Balance – how to transform from tired individual to happy, empowered and fulfilled individual using top tips listed as part of toolkit. I am also an Innovative Dental Surgeon.
My philosophy of life is to make a difference which becomes a ripple effect to inspire the next generation.

Why did you decide to stand for election?

I wish to use my experiences to make a difference and contribute.

What are your ambitions for the organisation?

My ambitions for the organisation is twofold. First things first is to identify the needs and offer innovative solutions.

Secondly to create an educational training pathway to help others, encourage skill mix and parent focus groups using the time of sugar rationing as inspiration for the KAB model. (Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour).

Finally to create a structure, process and outcome that can be evaluated to find out what worked, what did not work and how best to improve.

Give some examples from your professional or personal life that show you have the right skill set to make a contribution to the work of the Council.

Writing articles on Positive Work Life Balance and published

Creating courses and presenting

Organising a conference with an organisation and being a presenter

Taking part in Artificial Intelligence versus Corona Hackathon with data scientists and our team winning first prize

Taking part in leadership landscape

Taking part in collection of thoughts regards COVID 19 impact and published

Participant in research workshop on tackling differential attainment in the medical profession and report published

Being asked to produce a white paper on staff wellbeing in the workplace

I can teach

Having participated in leadership programmes (BEL leadership program and Advanced Dental Leadership)

Roshni Karia

“‘A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.’ (Colin Powell). I would be humbled to continue the hard work and commitment I have already made and I kindly request your support in accelerating not just a vision but making this an absolute reality.”

Candidate statements

Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.

My vision has always been to help develop an environment that promotes clinical excellence and confidence whilst supporting peer learning and collaboration as it is here where I believe we thrive the most.

With this in mind, in 2015 I applied and was subsequently appointed an Early Careers Representative (FGDP UK). In 2017, I was elected to represent the South East and South West Thames Region and re-elected as a member of the College Council (2020-23).

During my time, I have held various chairs and was elected Junior Vice Dean (FGDP(UK) 2019-2020) and Senior Vice President (CGDent 2021-2022). I have remained a member of the President’s (Past Dean’s) Executive since 2017 with a central focus on developing Career Pathways for all members of the Oral Healthcare team. Having qualified from King’s College London (2010) I am a General Dental Practitioner and an undergraduate clinical tutor (Periodontology), King’s College London.

Why did you decide to stand for election?

I set out with a firm vision; for each member to confidently and freely serve our community, with the reassurance that they are supported by a strong clinical backbone; guiding and fostering excellence so that we can all strive to achieve our best. Therefore, over the years I have worked tirelessly; especially in developing the Career Pathways and Chairing the Certified Membership Scheme.  This has enabled phase one of this brand-new scheme to launch early in 2023, aimed at providing all members of the oral healthcare team an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and navigate their personal career journey with flexibility, structure and support.

Having started this journey, I am resolute in developing this so we can continue in ‘Setting Standards and ‘Supporting Careers’. I am determined to support the College’s ambition for Royal Charter as it is here, we can nurture these values and strengthen our professional community.

What are your ambitions for the organisation?

I am now looking forward to building on the progress made to embed a Career Pathway for all members of the Oral Healthcare Team. I have always believed in a professional environment driven by high quality and ethics, however, the environment in which this is learnt and thereafter delivered should be conducive in which to do so. Our profession requires support, refreshed confidence and synergy to be able to do this. As a College, we must rebuild bridges and celebrate peer support with fully supported professional development, so we can all make much more strategic decisions about our careers.

I believe it is absolutely necessary for the College to respond to the contemporary needs of all of our members and pursue our Royal Charter so we can now have an independent, yet cohesive voice and that Dentistry becomes central to mainstream Healthcare; working together at the forefront of clinical excellence.

Give some examples from your professional or personal life that show you have the right skill set to make a contribution to the work of the Council.

Participation within roles as:

•       Elected Board and Council Member (FGDP (UK) and CGDent) (2017-2023)

•       Past Vice Dean 2019-20, Past Senior Vice President 2021-22

•       Chair: Certified Membership Scheme Programme Board and Professional Affairs Committee.

•       Past Chair: Membership Affairs and Careers and Training Committees.

•       Member: Career Pathways Programme Board

•       Member: Forward Planning Group for COVID-19

•       Successful completion of Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholarship Programme (2020-21)

•       Completed (awaiting results) PGCert in Clinical Practice Management and Education (2022)

•       Fellow: Higher Education Academy

With these professional commitments, alongside investing in my own personal development I believe I have a broad understanding of the work undertaken and now required to progress as an authoritative organisation for the Dental Profession with an aspiration for Royal Charter.

The experiences and networks I have built have helped to shape me and have equipped me with the skills necessary to make a meaningful contribution to the work of the Council.

Ian Kerr

“I believe I can bring my passion, my focus, my leadership qualities, and my organisational skills all of which can be used to further the cause of the College.”

Candidate statements

Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.

I qualified from Newcastle Dental School in 1989 and have worked full-time in dentistry ever since.

I have worked in both the NHS and Private primary care and at King’s Dental Hospital and Kent and Canterbury.

I have completed an MSc, with distinction, in Advanced Specialist Healthcare and an LLM by research I have also completed a diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic dentistry, a Pg Cert in Implantology, a Pg Cert in civil law expert witness work, and a Pg Cert in Risk Mitigation.

I have developed an interest in dento-legal work and am active in this field as an expert witness.

Outside of dentistry, I have enjoyed rugby, martial arts, and boxing along with endurance events such as triathlon and a half iron man. I now limit my activities to sea swimming and training in the boxing gym without the need to ever let anyone hit me again!

Why did you decide to stand for election?

I feel that the college is a step in the right direction for dentistry and believe that a key lesson learned from the COVID crisis was that dentistry is in urgent need of a Royal College if it wishes to have a stronger voice at the highest levels. This is a process that I would like to be part of and want to offer whatever support I can.

What are your ambitions for the organisation?

I would like the college to become a Royal College and to have the full backing and support of the profession who would see it as the primary authoritative voice within dentistry.

Give some examples from your professional or personal life that show you have the right skill set to make a contribution to the work of the Council.

My organisational skills have been used in organising an expert witness group into a significant body within the field of Expert Witnessing in dento-legal matters, now with over 80 participants.

I have successfully run a multi-surgery private practice for 18 years, having started it from a squat.

From my student years as President of the Society to my rugby days as Club Captain in two of the four clubs I played for and as the founding partner of my dental practice, I have always tended to take positions of leadership when I felt it was an area that I could add value to.

REMINDERS:

VOTES SHOULD BE CAST THROUGH THE UNIQUE LINK SENT TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS BY MI-VOICE BY EMAIL

VOTING CLOSES AT 23:59 ON FRIDAY 26 MAY 2023

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President to MPs: it’ll take more than contract reform to improve access to NHS dentistry

The President of the College, Dr Abhi Pal, has told a committee of MPs that it will take more than contract reform to persuade more dental professionals to deliver NHS dental treatment.

Dr Pal, a general dental practitioner and Principal of an NHS-contracted dental practice in Edgbaston, was addressing the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee during an oral evidence session on NHS dentistry in England. During a discussion focussed on the attractiveness of NHS dentistry to dentists, he said:

“I’ve heard the evidence earlier on, and first of all I have to concur with colleagues about the state of the contract and dental contract reform, which is sorely required. But it’s not just a question of contract reform – whilst that’s very important – it’s also a question of making dental professionals’ careers more fulfilling and providing some degree of recognition for what they’re doing.

“Everyone goes into dentistry to provide the best care they can, and it’s worthwhile pointing out that beyond Dental Core Training, which is some two years post qualification, there is no effective career pathway or structure for dentists to follow, and there is a large void left there.

“There’s also little recognition from the NHS for dentists who have sometimes invested significant quantities of money in order to enhance their skills. If working conditions in that sense, and recognition, could be made better, the NHS would be seen as a more attractive place – particularly for younger dentists, and international dentists – to come and work.”

He later added:

“We speak to a lot of early career dentists – dentists within the first three or four years of qualifying – and invariably they say a number of things. One is that they are a little bit lost as to which direction they should go. And they see less future within the health service – we’ve talked about all the reasons that there are before, and they can’t work to the best way that their training has allowed them to work. I think there are small changes, including contract reform, in terms of supporting professional development, that the NHS could be considering.”

He said that in order to retain dental professionals within the NHS workforce, consideration should be given to supporting their training and development, and to supporting the development of more professional networks, peer review opportunities and mentoring schemes. He summarised that:

“All of these things, put together, in addition to contract reform, would go some way in making the NHS more attractive than it is now.”

The College recently opened a Certified Membership programme built around its freely available Professional Framework for Career Pathways in Dentistry, and speaking during the same evidence session, the Chair of Health Education England’s Dental Education Reform Programme informed committee members that HEE was already working with the College to look at how the NHS might recognise the career progression of dental professionals working in primary care.

Written evidence previously submitted by the Faculty of General Dental Practice – which transferred into the College in 2021 – told the committee that the current NHS dental contract in England is “ill-conceived and not fit for purpose”, “crude and ineffective”, and that many patients struggle to access NHS dental care as “the funding simply does not provide the universal offer they expect”.

Last year, Dr Pal visited No.10 Downing Street for a discussion on access to careers and progression in dentistry, and he has also discussed these issues with the Shadow Health Secretary.

The Health Committee’s evidence session on NHS dentistry can be viewed in full here

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