College of General Dentistry News

Ana Poveda, StJohn Crean and Sadiq Mawji to lead oral cancer symposium

The College has announced that Dr Ana Poveda, Professor StJohn Crean and Dr Sadiq Mawji will be the speakers at its upcoming symposium on the diagnosis, treatment and management of oral cancer.  

l-r: Professor StJohn Crean, Dr Sadiq Mawji and Dr Ana Poveda

Dr Poveda is a Clinical Lecturer, Honorary Consultant and the Academic Lead in Oral Medicine at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry. She graduated in dentistry from the University of Barcelona in 2002, obtained her MSc in Oral Medicine from University College London in 2007, and holds the Fellowship in Oral Medicine of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FDS[OM]), having passed the Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examination (ISFE) in Oral Medicine in 2016. She is an experienced teacher and tutor in Oral Medicine at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, regularly lecturing in the UK and Spain. She is also a regular speaker at conferences, acts as a peer reviewer in her specialty and has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Her lecture will provide a systematic approach to assessing for intraoral soft tissue lesions; revise the nomenclature used when describing soft tissue pathology when referring to secondary care; and enable attendees to provide differential diagnoses for potentially malignant lesions and to describe what features make them concerning.

Professor Crean is the former Dean of the School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (later the College of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences), and now Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, at the University of Central Lancashire. He is also an Honorary Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Editor-in-Chief of the Faculty Dental Journal, and the Robert Bradlaw Advisor, at the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England; an MFDS examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow; and a non-executive director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Focussing on the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, he will cover its epidemiology, presentation and prognosis (including of HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma); the pathology of cancer and TNM staging; and treatment modalities for oral cancer (comparing radiotherapy and surgery and their implications).

Dr Mawji is a Specialist Registrar (ST5) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, currently based at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust. He graduated in dentistry in 2012 and completed Foundation Dental Training and three years of Dental Core Training before obtaining a Medical Degree from the University of Birmingham in 2019. He then completed the Foundation Programme and Basic Surgical Training before progressing into Higher Surgical Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He achieved Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) in 2014 and Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) in 2021. His experience encompasses head and neck oncological surgery, maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic and skin surgery.

His session will describe the maxillofacial surgery pathway and his personal career journey; offer tips and tricks for managing a cancer patient on a ward; and cover considerations for patient management immediately after surgery (tracheostomies, flaps, ITU and fluid maintenance).

The annual symposium, organised by CGDent Midlands, will take place in Birmingham on Friday 11 July 2025 from 9am to 4.30pm, with registration from 8am. Pitched at early career dentists, it is open to all dental professionals (in all team roles and at all career stages). Six hours of verifiable CPD, a three-course lunch and refreshments are all included in the attendance fee of £160 (reduced to £120 for College members).

Places are limited so early booking is advised. For further information, visit our events pages.

SECURE YOUR PLACE HERE

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry News

Associate Fellows to be ceremonially admitted

Associate Fellows of the College will soon begin being presented for ceremonial admission for the first time.

Professor Sreenivas Koka FCGDent being ceremonially admitted into Fellowship by College President Dr Roshni Karia

Associate Fellowship of the College recognises enhanced knowledge and skills, and demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning and the highest levels of patient care. Advancing their journey towards Fellowship, Associate Fellows are senior members of the College who are recognised as Enhanced Practitioners on the College’s Career Pathway, and their professional standing is marked with the use of the postnominals ‘AssocFCGDent’.

As part of the College’s Fellowship community, Associate Fellows have always been able to attend its biannual Fellows’ Receptions at which new Fellows are ceremonially admitted, but they have not previously benefitted from the opportunity to have their own achievements recognised in this way in front of their peers.

However at the forthcoming Summer Reception, Associate Fellows will be presented by the President of the College in front of gathered members and Fellows and the wider dental community. All Associate Fellows attending the Summer Reception will be ceremonially admitted, and as presentees will benefit from a complimentary ticket to the event if they book their place by 30 April 2025.

Associate Fellowship is currently open to any dental professional holding the MGDS; DPDS; a relevant and accredited Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma providing 120 UK credits; a relevant Master’s degree or PhD; a Specialty Membership of a Royal College or Royal College Faculty; the FGDP(UK) or RCS Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry; the FGDP(UK) Diploma in Primary Care Oral Surgery or Diploma in Restorative Dentistry; or the CGDent Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics. Experienced-based routes to Associate Fellowship are also expected to be announced soon.

In addition to their standing, post-nominal recognition and eligibility to attend Fellows’ Receptions, Associate Fellows receive quarterly print issues of the Primary Dental Journal, a 5% reduction in their dental indemnity fees with Dental Protection, and are eligible to enrol on a ‘top-up’ MSc in General Dental Practice which can be completed during a single year of part-time distance learning.

BECOME AN ASSOCIATE FELLOW

The Summer Reception, an opportunity for dental professionals to network with their peers, will take place from 5pm-8pm on Friday 13 June 2025 at Cutlers’ Hall, Sheffield. Open to all College members and dental professionals, it will also include the presentation of the President’s Award and the announcement of the 2025 winner of the College Medal (tbc), and will be preceded in the same venue by the Inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture.

Photographs of each presenting Associate Fellow being ceremonially admitted by the President will be made available shortly afterwards to download free of charge.

Anyone successfully completing an application to join the College as an Associate Fellow (or to upgrade their existing membership to become an Associate Fellow) before 30 April will also have the opportunity to be ceremonially admitted at the Summer Reception and will therefore be able to book their reception ticket at no charge.

It is advised to submit applications as soon as possible in order to allow enough time for admissions procedures to be completed.

To secure your place at the Summer Reception and/or inaugural College Lecture, click the button below:

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Event

20 years of Training Standards in Implant Dentistry

Thursday 5 February 2026, London

Candidates awaiting conferral of awards by the former FGDP(UK) at a Diplomates’ Day

The Court Room, Cutlers’ Hall, Warwick Lane, London EC4M 7BR

This event will mark 20 years since first publication of Training Standards in Implant Dentistry by the former Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP).

It will also celebrate the Faculty’s significant contribution to postgraduate education through its Diploma in Implant Dentistry programme, and highlight the College’s role in raising standards in the field through the publication of mentoring guidelines and dedicated journal issues, the launch of the Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry, and the creation of a Career Pathway for Implant Dentistry (details of which will be announced in due course).

Tickets for this event are not yet available; a booking link will be added shortly.

This event will be followed at 6pm by the College’s Fellows’ Winter Reception and Presentations of Associate Fellows and Fellows upstairs in the Livery Hall. This is a chargeable event with separate ticketing arrangements.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FELLOWS’ WINTER RECEPTION

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Presentations of Associate Fellows and Fellows

Friday 13 June 2025, 5pm-8pm

Professor Sreenivas Koka FCGDent being ceremonially admitted into Fellowship by College President Dr Roshni Karia

The Old Banqueting Hall, Cutlers’ Hall, 7-15 Church St, Sheffield S1 1HG

Associate Fellows and Fellows of the College were invited to be presented for ceremonial admission into our Fellowship community by the President of the College, Dr Roshni Karia.

The presentations were incorporated within the College Summer Reception, and took place in front of gathered Fellows, Associate Fellows and members of the College, alumni of the former FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry programme and other members of the dental professions.

This is the first time Associate Fellows had the opportunity to be presented, and all Associate Fellows attending the Summer Reception were ceremonially admitted and can attend the event free of charge if they booked their place by 30 April 2025.

New Fellows, and any College Fellow attending the Summer Reception who has not either been ceremonially admitted at a previous College Fellows’ Reception or had their fellowship of the former FGDP(UK) conferred at a Diplomates’ Day, were also be ceremonially admitted and can likewise attend the reception without charge if they book by 30 April 2025.

Photographs of each presenting Fellow and Associate Fellow being ceremonially admitted by the President will be made available shortly afterwards to download free of charge.

The Summer Reception was an opportunity for dental professionals to network with their peers and also included the presentation of the President’s Award and the announcement of the 2025 winner of the College Medal (tbc).

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SUMMER RECEPTION

The Summer Reception was preceded in the same venue by the Inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture, ‘Satisficing’ standards in dentistry: Who decides? Who benefits?. Delivered by Martin Kelleher FCGDent, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at King’s College Dental Hospital, the lecture will build on the rich legacy of the former FGDP’s Malcolm Pendlebury Lectures. Registration on the day opened at 2pm, with the lecture starting promptly at 2.30pm and the event concluding at 4.30pm after Q&A/discussion.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COLLEGE LECTURE

Members of the College were also welcome to attend the 1992 Circle Lunch, hosted by Sir Nairn Wilson CBE and the 1992 Circle, which took place prior to the College Lecture.

Associate Fellowship of the College recognises enhanced knowledge and skills, and demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning and the highest levels of patient care. Associate Fellows are senior members of the College who are advancing their journey towards Fellowship. Recognised as Enhanced Practitioners on the College’s Career Pathway, their professional standing is marked with the use of the postnominals ‘AssocFCGDent’.

Associate Fellowship is currently open to those holding an eligible Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level qualification in a relevant subject.

BECOME AN ASSOCIATE FELLOW

Fellowship is the most senior membership of the College; a mark of distinction across clinical and professional domains, and of significant commitment to the art and science of dentistry through professional development, reflective practice and diligence in upholding the highest standards of clinical care. Recognised as Accomplished Practitioners on the College’s Career Pathway, the professional standing of College Fellows is signified through the use of the postnominals ‘FCGDent’.

Admittance to Fellowship can be achieved by experience or by equivalence.

BECOME A FELLOW

Anyone successfully completing an application to join the College as an Associate Fellow or Fellow (or to upgrade their existing membership to become an Associate Fellow or Fellow) before 30 April had the opportunity to be ceremonially admitted at the Summer Reception and could therefore book their reception ticket at no charge.

It was advised to submit applications as soon as possible in order to allow enough time for admissions procedures to be completed.

Prices were as follows:

Lecture onlyReception onlyLecture & Reception
Associate Fellow or presenting Fellow£20 £15£55 FREE£65 £15
Member or Fellow£20 £15£55 £40£65 £50
Non-member£30 £20£75 £60£95 £70

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Diploma in Restorative Dentistry alumni gathering

Friday 13 June 2025, 2pm-8pm

Candidates awaiting conferral of awards by the former FGDP(UK) at a Diplomates’ Day

The Old Banqueting Hall, Cutlers’ Hall, 7-15 Church St, Sheffield S1 1HG

Alumni and tutors of the Diploma in Restorative Dentistry of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) were invited to a special gathering marking 20 years of the landmark programme, raising standards and building a strong professional community.

We were delighted that past Directors & Chief Examiners of the programme joined us, including Ian Wood FCGDent, Paul Brunton, Mike Mulcahy FCGDent, Nick Lewis FCGDent, Phil Dawson FCGDent and David Cheshire.

Alumni and tutors were encouraged to pass on this invitation to the reunion to others who were involved in the programme; we did not want anyone to miss out.

The special gathering was incorporated within both the Inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture and a College Summer Reception. Members of the College were welcome to attend the 1992 Circle Lunch, hosted by Sir Nairn Wilson CBE and the 1992 Circle, which took place prior to the College Lecture.

The lecture, ‘Satisficing’ standards in dentistry: Who decides? Who benefits?, was delivered by Martin Kelleher FCGDent, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at King’s College Dental Hospital. Taking place on Friday 13 June 2025 in the historic Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield, it built on the rich legacy of the FGDP’s Malcolm Pendlebury Lectures. Registration on the day opened at 2pm, with the lecture starting promptly at 2.30pm and the event concluding at 4.30pm after Q&A/discussion.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COLLEGE LECTURE

The Summer Reception followed from 5pm to 8pm, with registration from 4.30pm. Incorporating the fourth annual College Fellows’ Summer Reception, this was an opportunity for dental professionals to network with their peers and will include the ceremonial admission of new Fellows and Associate Fellows, the presentation of the President’s Award and the announcement of the 2025 winner of the College Medal (tbc). There was an opportunity for a range of alumni photos and photos with other guests, all of which will be made available to attendees shortly afterwards to download free of charge.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SUMMER RECEPTION

The FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry brings automatic eligibility for Associate Fellowship of the College and also satisfies the Clinical Domain of Fellowship, and alumni are encouraged to join the College in order to support its historic mission to build a Royal College for dentistry.

Anyone successfully completing an application to join the College as an Associate Fellow or Fellow (or to upgrade their existing membership to become an Associate Fellow or Fellow) before 30 April had the opportunity to be ceremonially admitted at the Summer Reception and could book their reception ticket at no charge.

Prices were otherwise as follows:

Lecture onlyReception onlyLecture & Reception
Member or Fellow£20 £15£55 £40£65 £50
Non-member£30 £20£75 £60£95 £70

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Progressing your career in implant dentistry

Saturday 17 May 2025, 3.45pm-4.30pm, Birmingham

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall 5, National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT

This lecture will describe a progression which the College is developing, from new practitioner in the field to recognised mentor, through which implant dentists can develop their careers and gain recognition for the skills, knowledge and experience acquired at each stage.

It will be delivered by Dr Abhi Pal FCGDent, Principal of The University Dental and Implant Centre in Birmingham, editor of the College’s Training Standards in Implant Dentistry, co-editor of its Mentoring in Implant Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines, and formerly President of the College and member of its Career Pathways Reference Group.

Free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, it is one of four College sessions at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2025 (BDCDS25), a two-day conference hosting over 200 CPD lectures, 400 exhibitors and 10,000 dental professionals.

College representatives will be available throughout the conference at Stand Q01 to talk to delegates about our vision for the profession, the benefits of membership and fellowship, and to answer questions.

It is not possible to register for specific lectures in advance, but those wishing to attend need to register for BDCDS25 either in advance or on the day. Registration is free for all dental professionals.

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Career barriers and breakthroughs: Navigating skill mix and progression for academic dental therapists and dental hygienists

Saturday 17 May 2025, 1.45pm-2.30pm, Birmingham

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall 5, National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT

This lecture will be delivered by Sarah Murray MBE (Reader in Dental Therapy Education and Academic Co-Lead for Quality Assurance at Queen Mary University of London, and Board Member of the College’s Faculty of Dental Hygiene and Therapy) and Leon Bassi (Clinical Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry [Dental Therapy] at the University of Liverpool). Both were members of the Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Working Group which co-developed the College’s Professional Framework for Career Pathways in Dentistry

Free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, it is one of four College sessions at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2025 (BDCDS25), a two-day conference hosting over 200 CPD lectures, 400 exhibitors and 10,000 dental professionals.

College representatives will be available throughout the conference at Stand Q01 to talk to delegates about our vision for the profession, the benefits of membership and fellowship, and to answer questions.

It is not possible to register for specific lectures in advance, but those wishing to attend need to register for BDCDS25 either in advance or on the day. Registration is free for all dental professionals.

Subscribe to receive to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Birmingham meet-and-greet

Friday 16 May (9am-5.30pm) & Saturday 17 May 2025 (9am-5pm), Birmingham

Hall 5, National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT

The College invites all dental professionals to visit its exhibition stand (Q01) at British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2025

College members and non-members alike are encouraged to come and introduce themselves, to find out more about the College and have their queries answered.

Perhaps you have questions about your membership or how to access your benefits? Or want to know whether you’re eligible for Full Membership, Associate Fellowship or Fellowship? Or you wonder how to download your membership certificate, what Life Fellowship is, or how to add your qualifications to the Member Register?

Maybe you’re a former member of FGDP(UK) uncertain of your College status, or the correct way to present your Faculty post-nominals?

Or perhaps you’re a non-member who’s not yet heard much about the College and just wants to find out why we were set up, what our plans are or how we can help you in your career?

Whatever your query, senior College members and staff will be there throughout the conference to help you out, and we’ll have live access to our systems to help solve membership queries on the spot.

Or even if you don’t have a query, we’d be delighted to meet you!

The College is also an education partner for the Enhanced CPD Theatre, where it is hosting four lectures.

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show is the UK’s largest dental event, giving you access to 400 exhibitors and 10,000 fellow dental professionals, and offering 200 lectures across 11 CPD theatres.

Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry Recent event

London meet-and-greet

Friday 4 – Saturday 5 October 2024, 9.00am – 5.00pm, London

Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

The College invited all dental professionals to visit its exhibition stand (F61) at Dentistry Show London 2024.

College members and non-members alike were encouraged to come and introduce themselves, to find out more about the College and have their queries answered.

Perhaps you have questions about your membership or how to access your benefits? Or want to know whether you’re eligible for Full Membership, Associate Fellowship or Fellowship? Or you wonder what Life Fellowship is, or how to add your qualifications to the Member Register?

Maybe you’re a former member of FGDP(UK) uncertain of your College status, or the correct way to present your Faculty post-nominals?

Or perhaps you’re a non-member who’s not yet heard much about the College and just wants to find out why we were set up, what our plans are or how we can help you in your career?

Whatever your query, senior College members and staff were there throughout the conference to help you out, and had live access to College systems to help solve membership queries on the spot.

Or even if you don’t have a query, we were be delighted to meet you!

The College was also an education partner for the Enhanced CPD Theatre, where it hosted four lectures.

Dentistry Show London gives you access to over 180 exhibitors and 4,000 fellow dental professionals, and also offers 100 CPD lectures. It’s FREE to attend for all registered dental professionals.

Sign up to our monthly newsletter

College of General Dentistry News

Dental leaders discuss workforce challenges

Senior College members took part in a recent panel discussion on the question of ‘How do we support and retain our workforce and ensure that they have the right skills to meet future challenges?’.

The discussion covered skills development both for the individual and across the profession, the importance of teamwork to staff retention, making great places to work, supporting team members to manage stress, and preventing career burn out. Speaking on behalf of the College, Dr Abhi Pal FCGDent, then President, and Dr Debbie Reed FCGDent, Board Chair of the CGDent Faculty of Dental Nursing and Orthodontic Therapy, also pressed home the need for recognised Career Pathways for all members of the dental team, and the vital role of mentoring as part of the solution for addressing workforce retention issues. The other panel members were Dr Catherine Tannahill MCGDent, Director of Clinician Engagement of Portman Dental, and Dr Dhru Shah, CEO of Dentinal Tubules.

The session was part of a meeting of dental leaders from across the UK, which was held in London on 14 March on the theme of ‘Maintaining an effective workforce fit for the future’. The day also included a panel discussion on the government’s ‘Recovery Plan’ for NHS dentistry in England, and presentations from Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, on role, values and culture; from Ashley Byrne FCGDent, Board Member of the Dental Laboratories Association, on the challenges facing dental technology; from Theresa Thorp, GDC Executive Director for Regulation, who provided insights from the GDC’s work pattern data exercise; and from Stefan Czerniawski, GDC Executive Director for Strategy, on provisional registration.  

The ‘Dental Leadership Network’ is convened quarterly by the General Dental Council to facilitate shared ownership in addressing key challenges facing the profession.

Dr Pal commented:

“The formation of the Dental Leadership Network is a positive step in bringing together key stakeholders and leaders within the profession to discuss current issues.”

Stefan Czerniawski said:  

“It’s really valuable for leaders across the dental sector to invest time in discussing the shared issues that affect us all and, most importantly, patients. Collaboration and ownership only works if the whole of the dental world is engaged.”

Sign up to our newsletter