College Fellows receive PFA honours

The Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA), an international dental honours organisation founded in 1936, has conferred awards upon two senior members of the College.

Sir Nairn receiving his Elmer S Best Award medal and plaque. (l-r): Robert Cattoi, PFA International Executive Director; Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent; Dr Pankaj Patel OGW FCGDent, PFA International President; Dr Ghabi Kaspo, PFA Vice-President

Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, President Emeritus of the College, has received the Academy’s prestigious Elmer S Best Memorial Award. Named in memory of the founder of the Academy, it is awarded for distinguished contributions of international significance to dentistry, and is given to no more than one dentist from outside the United States in any one year. In making the award, the PFA Board of Trustees congratulated Sir Nairn on his lifetime of service to dentistry, recognising the impact of his work across the globe.

The award was presented in New Orleans at the Academy’s 86th Annual Meeting and International Gala, which was held in October in conjunction with the American Dental Association’s 2024 Annual Convention.

Sir Nairn is the first British recipient of the award in almost 30 years and only the sixth since it was established in 1962. The previous UK-based winners were Martin Rushton in 1967, Cyril Devere-Green in 1973, Gerald Leatherman in 1977, Hamish Thomson in 1991 and Dr John McLean OBE in 1996.

Dr Pankaj Patel OGW FCGDent, the Academy’s International President, congratulated Sir Nairn on joining the illustrious list of recipients:

It is an honour for the Pierre Fauchard Academy to recognise Sir Nairn. His contributions to dental literature and his support of dental education and dentistry in general are well-known by legions of dentists around the world. We were pleased that Sir Nairn and Lady Wilson could join us at our international gala in New Orleans.”

Thanking the Academy for the award, Sir Nairn said:

“It is an exceptional honour to be recognised by one’s peers nationally; it is humbling to be recognised and honoured by one’s peers internationally, specifically for distinguished contributions of international significance to dentistry.”

Indicating that he will treasure the prestigious honour, Sir Nairn expressed the hope that he would have the opportunity to strengthen his contribution to the activities and mission of the Academy, which are ‘to recognise and develop outstanding leadership in dentistry internationally’. 

Manny Vasant wearing a PFA fellowship stole and holding a plaque commemorating his induction as an honorary fellow of the Academy. (l-r): Dr Pankaj Patel OGW FCGDent; Dr Cheryl Billingsley, PFA President-Elect; Manny Vasant MBE FCGDent; Dr Ghabi Kaspo.

Dr Manny (Manjul) Vasant MBE FCGDent, a general dental practitioner for over 50 years, was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Academy – another rare honour for a UK dentist – at the same event.

Dr Vasant is principal of a mixed NHS-and-private dental practice in Croydon, London, and has been staff dentist at Croydon University Hospital since 1985. He is also a registered specialist in prosthodontics and has been placing dental implants since 1994.

A former Fellow, board member and regional diploma tutor of the Faculty of General Dental Practice of the Royal College of Surgeons of England – FGDP, the forerunner of the College – he completed its Diploma in Implant Dentistry and Diploma of Membership in General Dental Surgery.

He is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Honorary Fellow of the International College of Dentists, and former advisor and organiser for vocational dental training in London, examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses and recipient of the British Society for General Dental Surgery’s Cottrell Award for contribution to general dental practice. He was awarded an MBE for services to dentistry in 2001.

Commenting on his award from the PFA, Dr Vasant said:

“I cannot fully describe how much I appreciate being the recipient of such a prestigious award. I am truly honoured. Although I have been a Fellow of the PFA for several years now, this award will inspire me to enhance my contribution to the Academy, which has done so much to recognise and promote leadership in dentistry and raise the profile of the profession.”

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PDJ editor honoured with prestigious international research award

Professor Igor Blum, editor-in-chief of the College’s Primary Dental Journal, has been chosen as this year’s winner of the esteemed International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Ivar Mjör Award.

Professor Igor Blum (right) being presented with the Ivar Mjör Award 2024 by Professor Richard Wierichs, Chair of the IADR Network for Practice-Based Research

Given annually, the award is named in honour of the late President of the IADR, the Norwegian dentist Professor Ivar Mjör, who was a world-renowned researcher and one of the most eminent champions of practice-based dental research in Europe, the US and elsewhere.

The highest award conferred by the IADR for practice-based research, it was given to Professor Blum in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the field, particularly the national and international importance of his translation of practice-based research findings into clinical recommendations.

His impactful publications on the management of failing dental restorations, the reasons for the placement and replacement of direct restorations, and the longevity of posterior composite restorations placed in practice-based settings were among those considered by the selection committee.

Professor Blum coined the term ‘reparative dentistry’, and the citation also notes that his contribution over a quarter of a century to the development, teaching and promotion of the repair of failing yet serviceable dental restorations, as a minimally invasive alternative to replacement, has paved the way for it to become an internationally acknowledged and recognised treatment approach.

Another notable example of his influence are his 2002 standardised diagnostic description criteria for dry socket (alveolar osteitis). ‘Blum’s definition’[i], which is widely referenced in textbooks and presentations and has become the most used definition for dry socket worldwide, has been cited in over 750 journal papers to date.

Professor Blum was also nominated in recognition of his promotion of practice-based clinical, educational and research articles through the Primary Dental Journal (PDJ), in combination with its increased international profile during his tenure as editor. The PDJ is our quarterly, peer-reviewed, professional development journal. Uniquely dedicated to primary dental care, each issue is distributed in print to our UK and international members and subscribers and made available online in over 10,500 academic institutions worldwide.

Professor of Primary Care Dentistry and Advanced General Dental Practice at King’s College London, and a consultant and specialist in restorative dentistry, Professor Blum is only the second UK-based recipient of the Ivar Mjör Award – the first being Professor Sir Nairn Wilson, the PDJ’s inaugural editor.

The award was presented in October in Bern, Switzerland.


[i] Blum IR. Contemporary views on dry socket (alveolar osteitis): a clinical appraisal of standardization, aetiopathogenesis and management: a critical review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002 Jun;31(3):309-17. doi: 10.1054/ijom.2002.0263.

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Oral medicine, leadership and TMD – PDJ themes for 2025

The College has announced the themes and guest editors for the 2025 issues (volume 14) of its Primary Dental Journal (PDJ).

(l-r) 2025 PDJ guest editors: Dr Ziad Al-Ani, Dr Emma Hayes and Professor Sreenivas Koka FCGDent

The Spring issue will be a general edition with articles covering a wide range of topics relevant to general dental practice. The 50th issue of the PDJ, it is expected to be published in April.

The Summer issue will be the first to be dedicated to oral medicine. Due out in July, it will be guest-edited by Dr Emma Hayes.

The Autumn issue, devoted to leadership in dentistry, will be guest-edited by Professor Sreenivas Koka FCGDent and will go to press in late September.

The Winter issue will be the first thematic edition of the PDJ to explore temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Guest-edited by Dr Ziad Al-Ani, it will be distributed in December.

Uniquely dedicated to primary dental care, PDJ is the College’s quarterly, peer-reviewed, professional development journal. In partnership with one of the world’s leading journal publishers, each issue is printed and distributed to the College’s UK and international members and subscribers, indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus, and made available online in over 10,500 academic institutions worldwide.

Dr Hayes is a Consultant and Clinical Lead in Oral Medicine at King’s College London Dental Institute, with special interests in facial pain and paediatric oral medicine conditions. After qualifying as a doctor from the University of Oxford in 2008, she worked in the north of England and gained Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. She then studied dentistry on King’s College London’s three-year programme for medical graduates, also working part-time in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Graduating in 2013, she completed specialty training in oral medicine at the Eastman Dental Hospital in 2019. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from University College London and contributed to the 2023 update of the Oral Medicine Specialty Training Curriculum.

Professor Koka is Dean of the University of Mississippi Dental School. In addition to qualifying as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, he holds a Master’s in Prosthodontics from the University of Michigan, an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master’s in Applied Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD from the University of Nebraska. He was the founder and owner of Premium Dental Editing in Rochester, Minnesota, and of both Koka Dental Clinic and the non-profit Career Design in Dentistry in San Diego. He has been a lecturer at the University of Michigan and University of California Los Angeles, and a professor at Loma Linda University, the University of Nebraska and the Mayo Clinic. Author/co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles and nine book chapters, he is co-founder of the Future Leaders in Prosthodontics (FLiP) programme and founder of the Shaping the Future of Implant Dentistry (SHIFT) leadership workshop series. Brought up in Romford, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 19 and is one of 16 dentists in his family.

Dr Al-Ani is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Recognised-Excellence-in-Teaching Fellow at the University of Glasgow Dental School, and former professor of Temporomandibular Disorders at the College of Medicine and Dentistry. He graduated BDS and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Damascus, before being awarded an MSc in Prosthodontics and PhD on temporomandibular disorders and occlusion at the University of Manchester. He then became a Clinical Teacher in Restorative Dentistry and Research Co-ordinator for the TMD clinic at Manchester, later obtaining Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. He is a former Director of the International Association for Dental Research’s Prosthodontics Research Group, former member of the editorial board of the Journal of Prosthodontics, and author of the books ‘Temporomandibular Disorders: A Problem-Based Approach’ and ‘Practical Procedures in Dental Occlusion’. 

Submissions will be accepted for the issue on leadership until 7 January 2025 and for the issue on TMD until 7 April 2025. Submissions on any other topic relevant to primary dental care can be made until 7 July 2025 for consideration for the Spring 2026 general issue. Instructions for authors are available here.


Dr Al-Ani’s paper, Whiplash-associated temporomandibular disorders: a review article (PDJ vol. 12, no. 1, March 2023) has been made available for all dental professionals to download free of charge.

He was also author of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthrosis: a review of clinical aspects and management (vol. 10, no. 1, March 2021) and Occlusion and Temporomandibular Disorders: a long-standing controversy in dentistry (vol. 9. no. 1, April 2020), and co-author of Occlusion on a single implant-supported crown: any differences? (vol. 11, no. 2, June 2022).

These are available in the online PDJ Library to College members and PDJ subscribers, as is Dr Hayes’ paper, An overview of vesicobullous conditions affecting the oral mucosa, (vol. 5 no. 1, March 2016).

Members can read these articles by logging in via the button below, then clicking ‘Access the PDJ Library’:

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Entering the CGDent-GC Award has helped me to be a better dentist

After entering a successful case in the inaugural CGDent-GC Award, Associate Member of the College Dr Juan Salmerón Ramírez travelled to Leuven in Belgium to take part in a fully funded two-day composite layering course at GC’s Education Campus. In this blog, he reflects on his experience of entering and winning the clinical skills award, and what he learnt from the process.

Freshly out of university, having begun a new journey in a new country, the opportunity to participate in a dental skills competition was both exciting and daunting, and it is only now that the whole journey has finished and I have reflected on my experience, that I can describe this brilliant opportunity and what I’ve learnt. 

Entering the competition: a leap of faith

Foundation Year is not known to be an easy-going year. Portfolio, case selection and study days are the main focus of Foundation Dentists, thus the decision to enter the Award was not a simple one. As a newly qualified dentist, the prospect of competing against peers whose ability, training and skills were unknown to me, was daunting. However, with a healthy amount of friendly encouragement from my fellow FD Ammy, and Educational Supervisors, I jumped into the opportunity to challenge myself, showcase my skills, and most importantly, learn and grow in the process.

The aim of the competition was to present a clinically indicated restorative case, that we had treated with composite, and required as little as one anterior tooth to have a valid entry. The preparation involved meticulous planning, clinical photography, aesthetic mock up, treatment execution, and documentation. This process alone was a huge learning experience, as it forced me to critically evaluate my work and consider the finer details that contribute to aesthetic excellence.

Over the application process, the College of General Dentistry’s Early Careers Engagement and Editorial Officer, Clare Denton, helped with any questions we had, from formatting the case to submitting it, she kindly and reliably guided our best efforts.

My winning case: a brief overview

The case I presented involved a patient in their late 40s with significant enamel wear, inverted smile line, anterior diastemas and loss of anterior vertical dimension. The patient was highly self-conscious about their smile to the point of avoiding smiling in their day-to-day life, and was thrilled when presented with composite bonding as a minimally invasive solution. Once my patient and I had agreed on the treatment, the complicated journey of carrying out the ideas and techniques I had in mind began. Overall the case needed the following steps.

Clinical photography: this was the first and perhaps most crucial step, as it gave me a means of communication with the patient, and allowed them to visualise the improvements they wanted in their smile and to what extent.

Digital smile design: allowed us to set a visual goal to reach, and  to compare the before and after of what we were doing.

Aesthetic mock-up which included study models: this helped us to understand how the enamel loss had happened, what dimensions and spaces we had to work with and how to later on protect our work from further wear.

Composite build ups and polishing: this was challenging due to the extent of the enamel loss and the need to achieve a seamless interface between the composite and the remaining tooth enamel. I focused on meticulous shade selection and careful layering to create a natural-looking result.

The outcome was a significant improvement in the patient’s smile, which boosted their confidence and satisfaction – a rewarding experience that solidified my passion for aesthetic dentistry.

The most valuable key learning outcome from entering the competition was understanding the importance of accessible and well written documentation. The case needed to be both clear and powerful when presented to the judges and had to show how the decisions I made were patient-led, therefore I had to be thorough in my explanations, have a clear justification for my clinical decisions and the treatment choices that my patient and I made together. This experience has improved my clinical documentation in the practice, and has helped me to maintain high standards not only in clinical work but also in record keeping.

The trip to Belgium: an unforgettable experience

Winning the competition came with two incredible bonuses: first being invited to attend the CGDent Summer Fellows’ Reception and to be formally awarded by the President (now former President), Dr Abhi Pal; and last but not least, attending a fully funded hands-on clinical skills course at the GC headquarters in Leuven, Belgium, where a GC specialist together with Dr Bereznicki, trained us in state-of-the-art composite layering techniques.

The trip itself was a smooth and relaxing experience. The College and the charitable foundation set up by Dr Tom Bereznicki, had organised a night in a hotel close to St Pancras station for those who lived outside London. The following morning the whole team of awardees together with the organisers, met at reception, introduced themselves, and took the Eurostar train. Just over two hours later we were in Brussels, from there a short bus trip to Leuven.

Leuven is a small vibrant university city, with charming streets and beautiful scenery, and we stayed here for the rest of the trip. It just happens that there was a music festival going on during our visit, which made it only more magical.

Perhaps the best part about our accommodation, Penta hotel, was its prime location in the beating heart of the old town in Leuven, at a very short walking distance from the most well known landmarks such as the stunning Town Hall and the Oude Market, “the longest bar in the world”, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.

The composite course: a transformative learning experience

The much awaited composite course was held at GC’s state-of-the-art dental training centre, where I was mentored by GC’s expert trainers and Dr Bereznicki, who share a passion for aesthetic dentistry and achieving excellence. The course content was comprehensive, covering advanced techniques in aesthetic composite restorations, from the latest materials and tools to innovative techniques that push the boundaries of what’s possible in cosmetic dentistry.

The programme included many topics from colour theory and how it affects our reconstructions, to material selection and how the GC line-up of composite is exquisitely created to cover different dentines and different enamels to achieve natural results.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the course was the hands-on training we received, under the supervision of Dr Simone Moretto, GC composite expert, who was incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, providing personalised feedback and tips that I’ve since incorporated into my practice.

A game-changer moment for me was the information given about the latest advancements in composite layering. The lecture and hands-on workshop explored the intricacies of shade selection, translucency, and the use of tints and opaquers to create restorations that are indistinguishable from natural teeth whilst enhancing a harmonic smile. This has improved my ability to deliver results that exceed patient expectations.

Furthermore the course was focused on minimally invasive techniques with reduced to no enamel modification. This emphasised the importance of tooth structure preservation whilst achieving aesthetic excellence, principles that align perfectly with my patient-centred care philosophy.

Why other Foundation Dentists and Dental Therapists should enter the competition

It is only through endeavour that we grow. Without a doubt, this experience has been tremendously valuable for my professional development, by pushing me out of my comfort zone and by challenging me to strive for excellence.

The Belgium trip and the course was the cherry on the cake, offering me an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the best in the field and immerse myself in a new culture.

My advice for Foundation Dentists and Dental Therapists considering entering the competition, is simple: GO FOR IT. It is an invaluable experience that goes beyond winning –  it’s about the journey, the learning and the life-long connections that you make along the way. Entering the competition will not only enhance your clinical skills but also boost your confidence and open doors to new opportunities, ultimately making you a better practitioner.

The CGDent-GC Award 2025/26 is open to Dentists and Dental Therapists who qualified in the UK or Ireland in 2025 or are undertaking Dental Foundation Training or Dental Vocational Training 2025/26. Entries close on Friday 20 February 2026.

Introduction to digital dentistry for early career dentists

Friday 28 November – Saturday 29 November 2025

Funded places on this course are reserved for successful candidates in the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry. It is not possible to register on this course separately.

Dentsply Sirona Academy, Building 3, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course, which combines theory, demonstrations and hands-on experience, has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki and Dr Chris Leech specifically for early career dentists with limited or no experience of practising within a digital workflow. It provides a comprehensive introduction to digital dentistry techniques, and how harnessing them can enhance your aesthetic practice and patient care.

The two-day course will mainly focus on the hands-on elements of learning with additional theory and material science modules delivered through pre-course and post-course videos.

The course will take you step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, from scanning to cementation, and provisionally includes:

  • Presentations on digital dentistry and digital dentures
  • Short demonstrations followed by comprehensive hands-on experience of:
    • Scanning each other
    • Scanning a preparation of a restoration on a pre-prepared model
    • Using software to design your final restoration
    • Demonstration of programming and milling processes
    • Adjustment and polishing techniques using pre-milled crowns that fit the model
    • Cementation of the crown onto the model

Refreshments and lunch are provided on both days.

The course accommodates 12 participants and is repeated on two further dates: Friday 14 – Saturday 15 November 2025 and early 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Course leaders

Dr Tom Bereznicki
BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng

After graduating from Edinburgh, Dr Bereznicki worked as a house surgeon at Guy’s and The Royal Dental Hospitals before entering general dental practice, in which he has over 40 years’ experience. With a special interest in restorative dentistry, in particular occlusion and emergence profile, he was also a visiting clinical specialist teacher at King’s College London Dental Institute and later joined the teaching faculty for the university’s MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. In 2018, he joined the Academy of Dental Excellence as a senior specialist teacher, and in 2021 became a partner associate lecturer for the University of Portsmouth’s Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. In 2023, he founded the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation which supports educational opportunities for early career dental professionals. A former member of the FGDP and Founder Member of CGDent, he has been a Fellow of the College since 2022 and is a member of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a regional speaker on occlusion for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr Chris Leech
BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent

A graduate of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Leech is a partner in a private dental practice and the Scientific Director of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for which he is now an examiner. He was also the first dentist to be awarded the Membership for Advanced General Dental Surgery by RCS Edinburgh and is a Fellow of its Faculty of Dental Surgery. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry.

Dr Bal Rohal
BDS (Kings) Hons

Dr Sohal is a cosmetic dentist who has showcased his work in presentations in the UK and US. He is experienced in the use of digital workflows, in particular for restoring single unit restorations and aesthetic multi-unit veneers, crowns and onlays. He graduated BDS from King’s College London in 2018, where he was undergraduate president of the dental society and was awarded the Guy’s Full Shield, awards from the Richard Dickinson USA Trust Fund and King’s Opportunity Fund, the Gold Star Award and the Jelf Medal for the most distinguished undergraduate.

Attending the course

The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course has been created solely for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, which is open to dentists who qualified in the UK or Ireland between 2019 to 2023, or who qualified overseas between 2019 to 2023 and have been practising in the UK for at least the past two years. Successful candidates will each be awarded a fully funded place on one of three course dates, and hotel accommodation, UK travel and subsistence will also be covered.

The award is now closed for new entries.

To enter, eligible dentists must submit an aesthetic case they plan to treat with a mainly analogue workflow, which involves more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth.

Mentoring and coaching course for dental care professionals, part 1

Friday 21 November – Saturday 22 November 2025

Funded places on this course are reserved for successful applicants for the Foundation Nakao – CGDent Award in Coaching and Mentoring. It is not possible to register on this course separately.

Delivered online via Zoom

Establishing a mentoring and coaching culture is key to the College’s commitment to workforce diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. In promoting effective mentoring practice, we aim to foster appropriate support in the career pathway progression for all members of the oral healthcare team.

Now, thanks to sponsorship by Foundation Nakao, generously donated through Prof Avijit Banerjee FCGDent, the College is offering a very special opportunity for a three day training course in mentoring and coaching for dental care professionals. Our aspiration is to cultivate a community of College members amongst dental care professionals who are equipped and confident to nurture their peers.

The Mentoring and Coaching Course for Dental Care Professionals is offered only to the winners of the Foundation Nakao – CGDent Award in Coaching and Mentoring, with successful applicants each awarded a fully funded place on the course.

College members who are registered as a dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental nurse, orthodontic therapist, dental technician or clinical dental technician and who have at least two years’ post-qualification experience are eligible to apply.

Please note that the award is now closed for new entries.

The short course will be delivered synchronously online, using the Zoom platform, by UMD Professional, an organisation with more than thirty years of experience within dentistry, medicine, healthcare and law, to establishing coaching and mentoring practices within organisations.

Course dates

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Foundation Nakao – also known as The Nakao Foundation for Worldwide Oral Health – was founded in Luzern in 2018 by Makato Nakao, Chairman of GC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of dental materials and equipment. GC also partners with the College on the CGDent-GC Award for Foundation Trainees.

Introduction to digital dentistry for early career dentists

Friday 14 November – Saturday 15 November 2025

Funded places on this course are reserved for successful candidates in the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry. It is not possible to register on this course separately.

Dentsply Sirona Academy, Building 3, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course, which combines theory, demonstrations and hands-on experience, has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki and Dr Chris Leech specifically for early career dentists with limited experience of practising within a digital workflow. It provides a comprehensive introduction to digital dentistry techniques, and how harnessing them can enhance your aesthetic practice and patient care.

The two-day course will mainly focus on the hands-on elements of learning with additional theory and material science modules delivered through pre-course and post-course videos.

The course will take you step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, from scanning to cementation, and provisionally includes:

  • Presentations on digital dentistry and digital dentures
  • Short demonstrations followed by comprehensive hands-on experience of:
    • Scanning each other
    • Scanning a preparation of a restoration on a pre-prepared model
    • Using software to design your final restoration
    • Demonstration of programming and milling processes
    • Adjustment and polishing techniques using pre-milled crowns that fit the model
    • Cementation of the crown onto the model

Refreshments and lunch are provided on both days.

The course accommodates 12 participants and is repeated on two further dates: Friday 28 – Saturday 29 November 2025 and early 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Course leaders

Dr Tom Bereznicki
BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng

After graduating from Edinburgh, Dr Bereznicki worked as a house surgeon at Guy’s and The Royal Dental Hospitals before entering general dental practice, in which he has over 40 years’ experience. With a special interest in restorative dentistry, in particular occlusion and emergence profile, he was also a visiting clinical specialist teacher at King’s College London Dental Institute and later joined the teaching faculty for the university’s MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. In 2018, he joined the Academy of Dental Excellence as a senior specialist teacher, and in 2021 became a partner associate lecturer for the University of Portsmouth’s Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. In 2023, he founded the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation which supports educational opportunities for early career dental professionals. A former member of the FGDP and Founder Member of CGDent, he has been a Fellow of the College since 2022 and is a member of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a regional speaker on occlusion for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr Chris Leech
BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent

A graduate of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Leech is a partner in a private dental practice and the Scientific Director of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for which he is now an examiner. He was also the first dentist to be awarded the Membership for Advanced General Dental Surgery by RCS Edinburgh and is a Fellow of its Faculty of Dental Surgery. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry.

Dr Bal Rohal
BDS (Kings) Hons

Dr Sohal is a cosmetic dentist who has showcased his work in presentations in the UK and US. He is experienced in the use of digital workflows, in particular for restoring single unit restorations and aesthetic multi-unit veneers, crowns and onlays. He graduated BDS from King’s College London in 2018, where he was undergraduate president of the dental society and was awarded the Guy’s Full Shield, awards from the Richard Dickinson USA Trust Fund and King’s Opportunity Fund, the Gold Star Award and the Jelf Medal for the most distinguished undergraduate.

Attending the course

The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course has been created solely for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, which is open to dentists who qualified in the UK or Ireland between 2019 to 2023, or who qualified overseas between 2019 to 2023 and have been practising in the UK for at least the past two years. Successful candidates will each be awarded a fully funded place on one of three course dates, and hotel accommodation, UK travel and subsistence will also be covered.

The award is now closed for new entries.

To enter, eligible dentists must submit an aesthetic case with a mainly analogue workflow, which involves more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth.

CGDent and Dentsply Sirona launch the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry

The College has partnered with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and Dentsply Sirona to develop a new aesthetic dentistry award for early career dentists.

The Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry recognises aesthetic dentistry skills and patient care and is open to dentists who qualified in the UK or Ireland between 2019 to 2023, or who qualified overseas between 2019 to 2023 and have been practising in the UK for at least the past two years.

36 successful candidates will each receive a fully funded place on a bespoke, hands-on two-day digital dentistry course at the Dentsply Sirona Academy in Weybridge, Surrey. The course is repeated on three separate dates. Travel costs, hotel accommodation and subsistence are included in the prize.

The digital dentistry course has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng and Dr Chris Leech BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent. Created solely for the Award, the course is aimed at dentists with limited of working with a digital workflow. The exclusive course is only open to winners of the new Award and is not available commercially.

Delivered predominantly through short demonstrations and comprehensive hands-on sessions, participants on the course will be guided step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, from scanning to cementation. Theory modules, such as material science, will be provided through pre-course and post-course videos.

To enter, candidates must submit pre-op photographs of an aesthetic case and upload a final case report when treatment is complete.  The case must involve more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth. It must mainly follow an analogue workflow. Full case eligibility guidance is outlined on the Award web page.

The inaugural Award is now open and the deadline to enter the competition with pre-op photographs is Friday 23 May 2025*. Entrants have until Friday 5 September 2025 to complete the treatment and submit their final case. The successful candidates will be announced in October and the digital dentistry courses will take place on Friday-Saturday 14-15 November 2025, Friday-Saturday 28-29 November 2025, and a Friday-Saturday in early 2026 (date to be confirmed). The number of Award entries has been capped at 150, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click the button below for further information about the award, links to guidance for entrants and the entry form.

Further opportunities for early career dentists

The College is collaborating with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, and other partners, to deliver a range of educational opportunities for early career dental professionals.

Occlusion and perio symposia
Featuring a line-up of expert speakers, a series of symposia for early career dentists on the topics of occlusion and perio will take place in London in 2025. Find out more.

CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees
Dentists and dental therapists enrolled on DFT are eligible to enter the CGDent-GC Award 2024/25, to win fully funded composite layering training in Belgium. Full details and entry form.

*The entry and submission deadlines have been extended and the course due to take place on 4-5 July 2025 has been rescheduled to early 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Introduction to Occlusion Symposium: Edinburgh

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Saturday 1 November 2025, 9am-5pm, Edinburgh

“I thoroughly enjoyed it, very important topic that’s not always fully understood!  All the speakers spoke about occlusion in a comprehensive manner that I understood.”

The secrets of successful, long-term restorations

A solid understanding of the principles of occlusion is crucial for the provision of successful, long-term restorative treatments for tooth wear and other conditions. This one-day symposium on the fundamentals of occlusion, first hosted in London in April, aims to enhance your knowledge in this field. You will leave the day with a deeper knowledge of the basic principles of occlusion and an introduction to a range of postgraduate courses you may wish to consider undertaking in order to extend your knowledge further.

Symposium fee

The fee includes lunch and refreshments.

  • £90 – early careers (qualified 2020-2025)
  • £110 – other dental professionals

Dental students who are currently in the final year of their course may attend the symposium free of charge. Select the ‘Student’ option on the registration page.

Verifiable CPD: approx 6 hours

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Topics not of interest to you? Please share details of the symposium with other members of your team

Dr Nathaniel-Edouard Davidson attended the first Introduction to Occlusion Symposium in London and reflects on what he learnt – read more>

Expert speakers – click for bios

Programme

08:15-08:50 – Registration – refreshments

09:00-09:30 – Dr Tom Bereznicki > Welcome and introduction

09:30-11:00 – Prof Paul Tipton > Occlusal Disease and Treatment

11:00-11:30 – Refreshment break

11:30-13:00 – Dr Ken Harris > Deprogrammers and Analysis

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

14:00-15:15 – Dr Tif Qureshi & Dr Shiraz Khan > Anterior Restorations and Occlusion

15:15-15:45 – Refreshment break

15:45-16:45 – Dr Koray Feran > Dynamic Occlusion, Working and Non-Working

16:45-17:00 – Dr Tom Bereznicki > Occlusion and Implant Therapy

“It really opened my mind about occlusion and the treatment options we weren’t taught at university.”

Trade exhibition

You are invited to visit our trade exhibition and education stands in the breaks to find out more about high-quality postgraduate courses available to you.

Lunch and refreshments

A two-course lunch is provided and includes a choice of bowl food, including vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. Refreshments are provided throughout the event.

Prayer rooms

Separate male and female prayer rooms will be available. Please bring your own prayer mat.

Getting there

The venue address is: Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, The University of Edinburgh, 11 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9LE. Appleton Tower is in the Central Area South Campus of The University of Edinburgh.

The nearest railway station is Waverley Station and is approximately 15 minutes walk from the venue. The nearest carpark to Appleton Tower is Nicolson Square Car Park.

We look forward to seeing you there!

To book your place sign in to your online account or create a new College Subscriber account for free and then refresh this page.

Cancellation and refund policy

A full refund will be provided up to 14 days before the date of the symposium. No refund will be issued within 14 days of the event. If you would like to cancel your place and request a refund, please email us at [email protected]

No refund will be made for non-attendance.

Places are non-transferable to other events.

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Leadership Development Masterclass

Tuesday 14 October 2025, 10am-4pm, London

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

A full day Masterclass with Prof Sreenivas Koka FCGDent and Prof Elizabeth Carr FCGDent

We don’t let anyone practise dentistry without years of education and training. Yet, we let people practise leadership with little or no education and training; and this despite the fact that, just like dentistry, there is a science and an art to leadership that can be taught and learned.

First-time and second-time dental leaders are challenged because they are now judged by the performance of their team and not their own performance – other people’s actions define you. The potential to fail in a leadership role is high and the consequences of failure may be significant emotionally, ethically, spiritually and financially.

In this programme, the course faculty will teach the science and art of some of the most critical elements needed to be an effective team leader. The content for the programme has been carefully curated to offer the appropriate breadth and depth for early-career leaders and will focused on the following:

  • Developing the ability to sense one surroundings (sensemaking)
  • Giving and receiving feedback as a leader
  • Learning one’s motivations for leadership and adapting accordingly

Provisional programme

  • 10:00-12:00 – What really matters in life? – SK
  • 12:00-13:00 – Lunch and networking
  • 13:00-14:00 – Giving and receiving feedback – EC
  • 14:00-14:15 – Break
  • 14:15-15:00 – Determining your career anchor – SK
  • 15:00-16:00 – Measuring your leadership effectiveness – SK

CPD verified for GDC Development Outcome: B

Speakers

Prof Sreenivas Koka
DDS MS PhD MBA MAS FACD FCGDent

Profile >

Sreenivas “Sree” Koka was born in the United Kingdom to Indian immigrants, and grew up with two nationalities, two religions (Anglican and Hindu), two languages, and two cultures. At the age of 19, he emigrated to the United States and began his university education.

A lifelong learner, Sree has earned five graduate level degrees including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, a Master in Applied Sciences (MAS) from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Sciences from the University of Nebraska. In addition, Sree received a Master’s degree and doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.

Sree has had an active leadership career in private practice including as business owner; in hospital practice including serving as Department Chair at Mayo Clinic; as Executive Director of a non-profit organization; in academics including serving as Dean at the University of Mississippi Medical Center; by leading professional national and international organizations; and through professional service as Chair of the MIT Sloan School of Management Alumni Board. During his career he has been chosen as the outstanding teacher of the year many times by professional/graduate students.

Sree has lectured extensively nationally and internationally (six continents) and has given a TEDx presentation. He is the founder of the Shaping the Future (SHIFT) leadership workshop series specifically designed to teach the human side of leadership to early-career and mid-career professionals. He presents on a variety of leadership topics, focusing on the human side of building great teams, and is a sought-after speaker for audiences across many industries.

Prof Elizabeth Carr
MAADH DHA FACD (Hon) FCGDent

Profile >

Elizabeth Carr is a native of the Mississippi Delta, where she was raised in both Catholic and Baptist communities. She loves to read, debate, watch movies, sing, travel and make new friends across the globe!

Elizabeth has earned numerous degrees including Bachelors and Masters degrees, and culminating with a Doctorate of Health Administration. In a successful faculty career, she has led university academic units at the department level and program level. In addition, she is an experienced leader of degree-level online education efforts. A lifelong learner, Elizabeth has completed MIT Sloan School of Management’s Executive Certificate program in Leadership and Management.

Elizabeth is a sought-after speaker; her invited presentation portfolio includes national venues across the US and international venues in Europe and Asia. A talented scholar, she has published research on leadership, specifically the why, when and how of courage in leadership, as well as the communication skills requisite for effective team-building. These attributes embody her passion for inspiring others to make courageous choices and navigate career and life changes confidently while simultaneously leading high-performing teams.

Elizabeth’s commitment to advancing public health has been recognized with numerous accolades. With a track record of working with non-profit and political stakeholders, Elizabeth has advocated for and enacted changes that reshape communities through public health initiatives. Her leadership capabilities have been honed through years of efforts at the local, regional, state and national levels and in academic, community, organizational and legislative arenas.

Masterclass fee: £170

The Leadership Development Masterclass is restricted to current Members and Fellows of the College (Full Member, Associate Fellow & Fellow).

Image credit: David Hawgood / Doorway, Royal Society of Medicine / CC BY-SA 2.0