The latest issue of the Primary Dental Journal, ‘Implant dentistry (part one)’, is available to view online now.
The implant dentistry theme has been split across two consecutive journal issues – parts 1 and 2. Papers in this part 1 issue include the role of the general dental practitioner in the care of the implant patient; dental nursing in implant dentistry; the hygienist’s role in the management of the implant patient in primary care; and dentolegal considerations in implant dentistry. The main objective of this first issue is to provide readers with a cutting-edge update on the topics, and to raise awareness of the need to manage implant patients in primary care.
The guest editor of this part 1 issue is Amin Aminian FCGDent, a Specialist in Prosthodontics in Greater Manchester. Amin explains the impetus for the collection of papers, and urges readers to share these Implant dentistry issues with all colleagues:
“My aim…was to highlight how implant therapy can, and should, be predominantly provided in primary care. The articles highlight how implant dentistry can positively impact our patients’ quality of life, regardless of the care setting.
“I sincerely hope you enjoy the two implant dentistry issues. At the outset, they were intended for all members of the primary care team, be it those who have yet to begin their implant journey or those more experienced in all aspects of the treatment. The articles highlight the important role all members of the team need to play, with the patient central to the care plan.”
Implant Dentistry – a journey from the beginnings to what has become an established discipline
Prof Igor Blum’s editorial introducing the PDJ implant dentistry issues is available to read here.
Part 2 – which is due out in winter and guest-edited by Professor Ilser Turkyilmaz of New York University – will have a greater focus on clinical aspects of implant dentistry, including complications and adverse events, and recent technological advancements in the field.
Full online access to the majority of articles is reserved for College of General Dentistry members and Primary Dental Journal subscribers, who can also expect their printed copies to arrive in the next 2–3 weeks.
For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available to purchase via the links below.
An annual print subscription to the PDJ is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to over 1,400 current and past issues in the PDJ Library and a range of other benefits.
On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to the publication of this issue.
Joining gift: Implant Dentistry parts 1 & 2
To mark the publication of the first of our new PDJ issues on implant dentistry, anyone joining the College or its Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry before 31 December 2024 will receive a printed copy. They will also be sent part 2 once available.
Igor Blum, Clinical Professor of Primary Care Dentistry and Advanced General Dental Practice at King’s College London and Editor of the Primary Dental Journal (PDJ), introduces two issues of the PDJ dedicated to implant dentistry
Modern implant dentistry begins with the pioneering work of Per-Ingvar Brånemark (1929-2014), professor of anatomy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and André Schroeder (1918-2004) professor of operative dentistry and endodontics at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Professor Brånemark studied bone healing and regeneration and discovered in 1957 that bone could grow in close proximity with titanium without being rejected, developing a permanent attachment between bone and titanium. He termed this phenomenon ‘osseointegration’.
Osseointegration established a new era in dentistry and paved the way for the development of the principles of biological acceptance of implants based on the science of bone biology. The first patient receiving titanium dental implants was 34-year-old Gosta Larsson, a man with a cleft palate, jaw deformities and missing teeth in his lower jaw. In 1965 he had four titanium implants (fixtures) placed into his mandible which were restored with a fixed prosthesis. The dental implants served for more than 40 years, until the end of Mr Larsson’s life.1
Early histological evidence demonstrating dental implant osseointegration was published in 1976 by Professor André Schroeder. He then went on to develop improved dental implant designs, and in 1980 Professor Schroeder founded the International Team of Implantology (ITI) of which he was the founding president. The ITI evolved into the largest global organisation of Implant Dentistry today.
At the Toronto Conference on Osseointegration in Clinical Dentistry in 1982, Professor Brånemark gave his landmark presentation that convinced dentists that a new era had dawned for dental implants, which became rapidly adopted as a new method of root-shaped screws in the jaws.2 He is widely known as the ‘father of modern dental implantology’ because of his milestone contribution in the field of implant dentistry. In tandem with the pioneering work in dental implants, and following the recognition of long-term success of osseointegration, this work was extended to orthopaedics for small and large joint replacement.3
The introduction of the concept of osseointegration of implants resulted in a paradigm shift that affected the dental care of partially dentate and edentulous patients. Dental implants continued to evolve with research and innovation over decades resulting in the treatment planning involving the implant option becoming part of mainstream dentistry in the present day. The widespread use of dental implants requires dental professionals to be up to date with maintaining the implant patient, regardless of whether the dental practice is offering the provision of dental implants. It is therefore essential for dental professionals to have appropriate training and a sound clinical understanding in the care of and maintaining the implant patient.
Although not a substitute by any means for a quality assured clinical training programme or structured course, the editorial team felt it was timely to produce an issue of the Primary Dental Journal devoted to Implant Dentistry. This theme has been split across two consecutive issues of the journal – parts 1 and 2.
Part 1, our Autumn 2024 issue which will be published imminently, addresses the role of the general dental practitioner in the care of the implant patient, dental nursing in implant dentistry, the hygienist’s role in the management of the implant patient in primary care, developing implant mentoring programmes, a personal journey from mentee to mentor, biomechanical principles of restoring a dentition with dental implants, a technician’s perspective on communication in implant treatment planning, placement and reconstruction in the digital age, the impact of implants on quality of life, and, very importantly dentolegal considerations in implant dentistry. The main objective of part 1 issue is to provide readers with a cutting-edge update on the above topics, including raising awareness of the need to manage implant patients in primary care.
Part 2, the Winter 2024/25 issue to be published in around three months’ time, will focus more on clinical aspects of implant dentistry, including complications and adverse events, and recent technological advancements in the field.
Implant Dentistry is truly an evolving discipline as seen by the remarkable advances since the early works of Professors Brånemark, Schroeder and many others over the past decades. Those dental professionals wishing to further their knowledge and skills in implant dentistry and wishing to choose postgraduate educational programmes or courses might also benefit from familiarising themselves with the College of General Dentistry publications Mentoring in Implant Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines and Training standards in implant dentistry. The former describes the nature of mentoring which should be undertaken in order to safely carry out implant dentistry following completion of an appropriate training course, while the latter helps with identifying quality postgraduate education in implant dentistry.
I am very thankful to Dr Amin Aminian and Professor Ilser Turkyilmaz, the guest editors respectively of our part 1 and part 2 issues on implant dentistry, and to all our contributing authors, for producing such a wealth of excellent and informative articles which I am certain readers will find of interest and use.
The Primary Dental Journal is the College’s quarterly peer-reviewed journal dedicated to general dental practice. Printed copies of the Autumn 2024 part 1 issue on implant dentistry should arrive with College members in the second half of October.
Joining gift: Implant Dentistry parts 1 & 2
To mark the publication of the first of our new PDJ issues on implant dentistry, anyone joining the College or its Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry before 31 December 2024 will receive a printed copy. They will also be sent part 2 once available.
2Zarb G, editor. Toronto conference on osseointegration in clinical dentistry. In Proceedings of the 1982 Toronto Conference 1983 (pp. 1-165). Mosby: St. Louis
3Albrektsson T, Lekholm U. Osseointegration: current state of the art. Dent Clin North Am. 1989 Oct;33(4):537-54
Frances Robinson AssocFCGDent, Advanced Oral Health Practitioner and Chair of the Board of the Faculty of Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy, reflects on The Dental Health Barometer report on preventative oral healthcare, published by the College and Haleon.
The Dental Health Barometer report, stemming from a collaboration between the College of General Dentistry and Haleon, surveyed patients and dental professionals and more recently held focus groups with dental professionals throughout the UK. The report highlights inconsistencies in the provision of preventative oral healthcare and how this type of care is understood by both the dental population and the wider public.
Due to my roles as an Advanced Oral Health Practitioner in London and as Chair of the Board in the College’s Faculty of Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy, this piece of research with Haleon, was particularly interesting to me. I currently lead a mixed team of dental professionals and admin support to provide an oral health promotion service, through an NHS trust, contracted by the local authority. In my borough the decay rate was 39.1% for five-years olds in 2019 – I have much work to do!
I can sense clinicians are frustrated when working at the coal face of primary care seeing so much decay and periodontal issues, but dental outreach teams, like mine, and the dental public health workforce, work tirelessly to address some of the points raised by clinicians in the report.
I would like to use this blog piece to highlight some of the key summary points raised in the CGDent-Haleon report that are directly related to my role and also to explain some of the work that goes on in oral health outreach teams.
Tooth decay is preventable and inequalities are unfair, yet avoidable. Preventative dental care is proactively helping a patient to take action to maintain a healthy mouth, however, as the CGDent-Haleon report highlights, both the ability to provide preventative advice and the consistency of the advice given varies between professionals.
Greater provision of CPD
In clinical practice, clinicians are used to treating patients to a high standard according to the best available evidence base. This may be using the best materials and the selection of treatment options on a case-by-case basis. ‘TheDental Health Barometer‘ seems to demonstrate that current understanding of evidence-based population dental approaches varies in primary dental workforces. Dental public health is taught on undergraduate curriculums but clinicians may be unaware of recent updates to evidence bases. Subsequently, in order to use the primary dental health workforce to contribute to improving oral health outside the dental surgery, it is pertinent to ensure the evidence base is widely understood. There is a risk that some oral health approaches and interventions, although well intentioned, are either at best ineffective or at worst could widen oral health inequalities.
Indeed, the report calls for “greater provision of CPD on the delivery of preventative care”, in this instance it would be a good opportunity for this type of CPD to also cover community based oral health approaches, as well as those more applicable to clinical settings.
Evidence based public health dentistry
Currently, it seems many well-intentioned efforts to improve oral health on a population level don’t actually align to the current evidence base. Giving oral health ‘education’ in the form of assemblies, class room talks or at health fairs, is not proven to improve oral health outcomes. The ‘commissioning for oral health‘ document highlights that for school aged children, one-off dental health education is ineffective and therefore discouraged.
These traditional oral health approaches that focus solely on education can actually widen oral health inequalities in deprived areas. A one-off oral health session only gives knowledge to those with the means i.e. financial and social resources to act on advice, but for vulnerable families it doesn’t empower them to make sustainable change. They might want to go home and buy toothbrushes and toothpastes and healthy food for their family, but they may also have to consider the family budget, constraints on the family’s time and other social factors. Furthermore, sustained behaviour change is seldom achieved in one visit, it takes time and patience to build daily oral health habits as we know from our work on a one-to-one level with patients in clinics.
In my role as an Advanced Oral Health Practitioner, I have heard of families all using the same toothbrush because they cannot afford to buy ones for each family member, and I have met families living in temporary accommodation with limited access to cooking facilities and personal hygiene spaces. These families living in deprivation as highlighted are more likely to be the ones suffering from poor oral health.
The Association of Directors of Public Health stated in 2023, “worrying oral health findings are not a result of behaviour, poor choices or a lack of education.” But rather research, conducted by Public Health England, has called for action to tackle the underlying causes of health inequalities including “creating healthier public policies, supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills and reorienting health services towards prevention”.
Creating healthier public policies, supportive environments and strengthening community action, to improve oral health.”
Figure 1
Indeed, Professor Sir Michael Marmott poses the question on the first page of his book ‘The Health Gap‘, “why treat people only to send people back to the conditions that made them sick in the first place?”.
On a population level, the conditions in which each family lives has a bigger influence on their health outcomes than individual decisions. Research has shown that the social determinants of health account for 30-55% of someone’s health outcomes. Subsequently programmes that consider the social determinants of health, (the conditions in which children and adults can live, grow, work and age) have the best evidence-base behind them.
There is strong supportive evidence for supervised toothbrushing programmes and fluoride varnish programmes, which were mentioned in the CGDent-Haleon report. Also dental professionals suggested collaboration and oral health training for the wider professional workforce (health, education, social). This is further encouraged by the commissioning for better oral health document, as they build on existing capacity and can be targeted to high risk groups.
Why is there variation between which oral health prevention services are offered in different areas?
Oral health is designated to local authority level and subsequently there are huge variations in what is offered on a national scale. This can be confusing for dental professionals working in primary care and the public, which is shown by the recent report.
Within London, I am aware of every borough having a different approach to commissioned oral health programmes and this can result in a postcode lottery in terms of what is provided. The borough I work in has fluoride varnish programmes and supervised toothbrushing programmes in a certain proportion of targeted schools and all SEN schools. But we also provide comprehensive training for health, social and educational professionals for oral health – aligning to the evidence base around capacity building on existing services. This includes working with care homes, carers, outreach workers, social workers, health visitors, nursery staff and recruiting ‘Oral Health Champions’ in all settings we work with. This approach may not be replicated across the UK and dental professionals in primary care may not be aware of the current commissioning of an oral health team in their area.
Indeed, there are calls in the CGDent-Haleon report for a national oral health programme (similar to ChildSmile in Scotland or Designed to Smile in Wales) which creates a base level of preventative care, for both children and adults and integrates oral health into general health. It could use universal proportionalism to scale up priorities, identified by local need. If there was a national oral health programme there could be potential for local practices to assist with the running of this, for example training teachers on supervised tooth brushing programmes or visiting local care homes to provide quality assured oral health training to staff members.
Oral health was included in a recent NHS England initiative Core20PLUS5, a national NHS England approach to support the reduction of health inequalities at both national and system level. The approach defines a target population cohort of the most deprived 20%, plus inclusion health groups and identifies ‘5’ focus clinical areas requiring accelerated improvement. The Core20PLUS5 for children did include oral health as a priority so there is hope that some of our concerns as professionals are being heard on a wider level, and taken alongside the recent publication of the ‘The Dental Health Barometer’ report by the College and Haleon, there may be hope for the future!
The College and Haleon have published a report on improving the provision of preventative oral healthcare.
Preventative care is defined as proactive dental care and advice that helps a patient to take action to maintain a healthy mouth, protecting against tooth decay, gum disease and more serious issues such as tooth loss and negative impacts on general health. The new report, The Dental Health Barometer, provides recommendations based on the experience and insight of general dental professionals on how to bridge the gap between intentions and practical delivery.
The underlying research began last year with a survey of 2,000 UK dental patients and over 500 dental professionals which highlighted inconsistencies in the provision of preventative oral healthcare advice. (A poster summarising those findings is available, as is a webinar examining them in more detail). This has since been built upon with rich discussions held with 77 oral health professionals, from all dental team roles, in focus group meetings hosted at eight general dental practices throughout the UK.
The most consistent finding is that oral health professionals seek redesigned NHS contracts to allow for more time and financial support in giving preventative oral care advice. The research also finds that the profession would like to see more resources devoted to providing nationwide preventative oral healthcare education, and a national communications campaign to tackle oral health misinformation.
The report highlights wider societal barriers to improving preventative oral care, such as competing social media narratives around oral health, diet and appearance; the erosion of long-term patient relationships; a continuing professional skew in some practices towards clinical treatments; and a tendency among non-dental health professionals not to deliver basic oral health messages.
The creation of a consumer-facing version of the Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit
Working with non-dental health professionals such as health visitors and midwives to inform them of the benefits of preventative oral care
Greater provision of CPD on the delivery of preventative care
Encouraging businesses to provide dental cover to employees
Celebrating team members such as dental hygienists in the mainstream media
Better use of digital communications such as apps and video streaming platforms
Roshni Karia MCGDent, President of the College, said:
“Our focus groups found that many dentists may feel that they are conducting a lonely battle against entrenched patient habits around oral health care, and doing so within NHS contracts which are unfavourable to providing adequate preventative advice. Our work with Haleon highlights the need to take action to support oral health professionals in a real time of need.”
Bas Vorsteveld, Vice President of Haleon and its General Manager for Great Britain and Ireland, commented:
“With a new Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street, our findings could not come at a more pivotal time for the future of dentistry in the UK. Working alongside the College of General Dentistry, we outline the key opportunities, our jointly developed solutions to safeguard the future of preventative oral care provisions for UK consumers and oral health professionals alike. We welcome the new Labour government’s plan to rescue the UK’s dental sector, but we urge them to go further and make NHS contracts fit for purpose by prioritising prevention. Only by working alongside the profession and industry can the new government make the step-change that UK dentistry clearly needs.”
Haleon, formerly the consumer healthcare division of GlaxoSmithKline, is the manufacturer of well-known oral health products such as Sensodyne, Corsodyl, Aquafresh, Poligrip, Biotene and Parodontax.
The College and Haleon will continue to work together to advocate for improvements in the provision of preventative oral healthcare.
The College and Haleon would like to thank all those College members who volunteered to host a focus group in their practice, and all the members, colleagues and patients who participated in the research.
Abhi Pal FCGDent, Immediate Past President of the College, says the dental profession needs to create opportunities for all team members to develop leadership skills
Oral health care in the UK is a complex, fast-changing sector, embracing dynamic and skilled teams, and our profession faces a number of key challenges, some of which are not new. These include workforce recruitment and retention, inequalities in oral health, NHS contract reform, the lack of recognition for oral health care teams, and the regulatory environment. This is of course in addition to the wider problems of the cost-of-living crisis, Brexit, and global issues. Overcoming these challenges will need leadership at all levels, from individual practices through to national bodies. It will not be a surprise to readers when I say that that leadership requires creating a vision. That vision has to be informed by listening to individuals, acknowledging their views, and understanding the working environment in order to create a vision that can inspire.
I often hear that leaders are not born but that leadership is a collection of skills that can be learnt. The profession needs to create opportunities for all team members to be encouraged to develop these skills. This starts from the individual surgery and practice level through to professional bodies and national platforms. It is essential that early-career colleagues are encouraged to participate in conversations and decisions which will shape the future of the profession. It is more important than ever that we have role models who reflect the diversity that exists within the profession.
As well as creating a vision, leaders need to be able to communicate the vision to others and inspire teams to get behind the goals. It is important to create a common language that can encapsulate the knowledge and capabilities that we value in our teams. All individuals have strengths and weaknesses. The successful leader will harness the strengths of individuals to delegate successfully and support individuals to help overcome weaknesses.
Many styles of leadership exist but it is often the case that successful leaders understand that styles need to be adapted to suit the requirements of the environment and teams they work in. I have found over the years that demonstration of credibility and authenticity can often be more important than just style.
Leaders also need to readily recognise the hard work undertaken by team members. Monetary reward is only one part of this. There is a general lack of recognition for the skills of primary oral health care teams due largely to the lack of a proper career structure. Without such recognition, we cannot hope to recruit and retain the talent we need in this great profession of ours. We need to have a new look at how this recognition can be provided.
I see an increasing amount of negativity in the profession, much of it spurred on by the ease of posting views on social media. Negativity can stem from the feeling of powerlessness. However, some groups and organisations are stepping up, in spite of those challenges, showing the there is a great deal the profession can itself do to improve matters. The answers to the challenges the profession faces cannot be solved by one body alone. It is time for cooperation and leadership across the whole sector to provide workable solutions.
This article was first published in the British Dental Journal (volume 234, page 921, 2023) by Springer Nature
The latest issue of the Primary Dental Journal, ‘General dentistry (part two)’, is now available to view online.
This new issue contributes to broadening knowledge on a range of relevant topics for the whole dental team, with papers that have been carefully curated by the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof Igor Blum (Clinical Professor of Primary Care Dentistry and Advanced General Dental Practice at King’s College London).
Featured subjects include an insight into the information provided by Greater Manchester dental practice websites on oral cancer; a paradigm shift in dental caries management using silver modified atraumatic restorative treatment (SMART); an overview of the remarkable two-way links between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease; and a thought-provoking article on regenerative endodontics. Also included in this issue – in the fleeting interim between Presidents, as we bid a fond farewell to Abhi Pal and warmly welcome Roshni Karia to this post – is a unique update from the College’s Chair of Trustees, Mick Horton. (The full list of contents is below.)
Outlining the purposes of the general dentistry issues, Prof Blum said:
“I hope you will enjoy this issue and find the articles… both interesting and stimulating..”
Full online access to the majority of articles is reserved for College of General Dentistry members and Primary Dental Journal subscribers, who can also expect their printed copies to arrive in the next 2–3 weeks.
For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available to purchase via the links below.
An annual print subscription, normally costing £130, is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to the current issue, access to the PDJ Archive of over 1,400 past articles, and a range of other benefits. College membership, which is tax deductible, is available from £44.
On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to the publication of this issue.
CGDent members can view full articles by logging in via the yellow button below, then clicking ‘Access the PDJ Archive’:
The College has announced the results of recent elections to eight regional and four new role-based seats on its Council, with nine new members elected and three re-elected.
(l-r, top row first) New CGDent Council Members-Elect Steve Campbell, Jane Dalgarno,Stuart Ellis, Nicola Gore,Fazeela Khan-Osborne,Anoup Nandra, Thomas Stapleton, Miranda Steeples and Janine Yazdi-Doughty, and re-elected Council Members Matthew Collins, Ewen McColl and Dalip Kumar
Steve Campbell FCGDent, Managing Director of Nexus Dental Laboratories in Ripon, is the first elected representative of the College’s Faculty of Dental Technology & Clinical Dental Technology (FDTCDT), a constituency comprising all College members who are dental or clinical dental technicians. Starting out as a trainee technician in a local dental lab in 1992, he was promoted to Laboratory Manager in 2003 and Managing Director in 2013. With particular interests in dental implantology and the integration of digital and CAD/CAM workflows, in 2015 he established Nexus as a fully digital lab supporting restorative dentistry. He has been President of the Dental Laboratories Association since 2016, serves on the Executive Council of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (BAAD), and served two terms as Technical Representative on the Board of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI).
He succeeds Bill Sharpling FCGDent, Associate Dean and Director of the London Dental Education Centre at King’s College London’s Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, who had been the appointed Dental Technology & Clinical Dental Technology Representative since 2021. Mr Sharpling will continue to attend Council meetings in his role as Chair of the FDTCDT Board.
Jane Dalgarno AssocFCGDent, Clinical Workforce Development Lead at Community Dental Services CIC, is the first elected Council representative of the College’s Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy (FDNOT). A past President of the British Association of Dental Nurses, she began her career in general dental practice as a trainee dental nurse in 1986 and completed the National Certificate for Dental Surgery Assistants in 1993. An examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, and past Programme Director for the HEE Foundation Degree in Advanced Dental Nursing, she holds certificates in education, oral health education, sedation and dental radiography, as well as the A1/A2 assessors award, a BSc in Primary Dental Care and an MSc in Applied Dental Professional Practice from the University of Kent. She has been on the Board of the FDNOT since it was first convened in 2021, and was a member of the Dental Nursing and Orthodontic Therapy Working Group which co-developed the College’s Professional Framework for Career Pathways in Dentistry.
She succeeds Debbie Reed FCGDent, Reader and Lead for Faculty Development at King’s College London’s Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, who had been the appointed Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy Representative since 2023. Dr Reed will continue to attend Council meetings in her role as Chair of the FDNOT Board.
Stuart Ellis FCGDent has been elected to represent Trent and East Anglia. Clinical Director of a five-surgery general dental practice in Cambridge, where he has practised for over thirty years, he previously spent two years working in maxillofacial units in Belfast and London. Director of the Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology, he is Course Lead for both the MSc in Advanced Dental Implantology and MSc in General Dental Practice at Aston University, and for ten years was an examiner for the former Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (MFGDP) and Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) awards. He holds a Diploma and a Master’s in Postgraduate Dental Studies from the University of Bristol, a Master’s in Medical Law & Ethics from the University of Edinburgh and a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education from the University of Cambridge, where he is currently completing his third Master’s degree. He acts as an expert witness in the UK and Ireland and as an advisor to the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee, holds the Diploma of Fellowship of the former FGDP, and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). He succeeds Jonathan Farmer FCGDent, who stood down after serving on the College Council and former FGDP Board since 2015.
Nicola Gore FCGDent, Principal of a dental practice in north London, has been elected to represent the North Thames region. Since qualifying as a dentist from the University of London in 1993, she has held various general practice and hospital maxillofacial posts within the UK and Australia, has taught undergraduate and graduate dental students and trained 25 Foundation Dentists. She holds the MJDF, a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry in Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics from the Royal London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education from the University of Bedfordshire, and has also undertaken postgraduate training in orthodontics. Co-founder and President of the British Iranian Dental Association, she is a past committee member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) and a member of the British Society of Prosthodontics. She is co-author of Dentistry in a Nutshell, and among the authors of the forthcoming third edition of the College’s Standards in Dentistry publication. She succeeds Victor Gehani FCGDent, who was appointed to the seat in 2023 pending this year’s election.
Fazeela Khan-Osborne FCGDent has been elected to represent College members in Central London. Principal of a general dental practice in London for 25 years, she has a special interest in full mouth rehabilitation, both surgical and restorative. Initially graduating with a BSc in Medical Biochemistry and Physiology from Queen Mary University, she qualified as a dentist at the Royal Hospital London in 1994 and undertook training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. She holds a Diploma in Restorative Dental Practice and an MSc in Restorative Dentistry from the Royal London, and completed the FGDP(UK) Diploma in Implant Dentistry, later becoming a lead tutor. Founding Course Lead of the One to One Implant Education programme, she teaches and lectures on implant dentistry worldwide. She also sits on the Executive Council of the BAAD, is Immediate Past President of the London Dental Fellowship, and is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a member of the ADI. She succeeds Subir Banerji FCGDent, who had held the seat since 2022.
Anoup Nandra FCGDent, Principal Dentist at a mixed NHS-and-private practice in Edgbaston and a private dental practice in Wolverhampton, has been elected in the West Midlands. He graduated from Birmingham in 2002 and completed Vocational Training in London before returning to the Midlands, where he has practised for twenty years. He has served as a clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham and as a Foundation Dental Trainer, and is a member of Birmingham Local Dental Committee as well as the BACD, the ADI, the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and the British Society of Restorative Dentistry. He holds both the MJDF and MFGDP, and has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry from University College London, an MSc in Dental Implantology from the University of Central Lancashire and a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Wolverhampton. He also holds the Cardiff University / Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate and is pursuing an LLM in legal aspects of medical practice. He succeeds Kanwar Ratra MCGDent, who had been the region’s representative since 2021.
Thomas Stapleton AssocFCGDent, Clinical Lead at a group of private dental practices in north Yorkshire, has been elected to the Yorkshire and Northern seat. Beginning his career as a research scientist after completing a BSc in Microbiology with Immunology and PhD in Tissue Engineering at the University of Leeds, he qualified as a dentist in 2013 and has worked in general dental practice ever since. With a special interest in endodontics, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the University of Chester, is a member of the British Endodontic Society and receives external referrals. He has also undertaken advanced training in restorative dentistry, completed the MJDF, and is the local Study Club Lead for Dentinal Tubules. He succeeds Sagi Shavit, who had held the seat since 2022.
Miranda Steeples AssocFCGDent is the first elected Council representative of the College’s Faculty of Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy (FDHDT). A dental therapist and hygienist working in general dental practice in Hastings, Eastbourne, and Hailsham, she qualified from the University of Leeds in 2009 with a Graduate Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy, having previously worked as a dental nurse. She was elected to the South East regional committee of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy in 2014, joined the Executive Committee in 2018 and became President in 2022. She holds a Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Leadership and Management and an MSc in Advanced Specialist Healthcare from the University of Kent, is a member of the UK co-ordinating committee for the Alliance for a Cavity Free Future and enjoys volunteering for Mini Molars Cambodia. She has been a member of the FDHDT Board since it was first convened in 2021, and was also on the Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Working Group which co-developed the College’s Professional Framework.
She succeeds Frances Robinson AssocFCGDent, a dental hygienist working in private practice in London and oral health practitioner in NHS community outreach, who had been the appointed Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy Representative since 2023. Ms Robinson will continue to attend Council meetings in her role as Chair of the FDHDT Board.
Janine Yazdi-Doughty FCGDent, a partner and clinical lead for paediatric dentistry, sedation and research at a referral practice in Sandbach, has been elected to represent members in the Mersey and North West region. Since qualifying from Bristol in 2010, she has also worked with adults and children with anxieties, special educational needs and other vulnerabilities in primary, secondary and tertiary care in London and Nottingham as well as for several dental charities. She has completed the RCS Diploma in Dental Public Health, a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research from Queen Mary University of London, a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education and Leadership from the University of Bedfordshire, and both an MSc and PhD in Dental Public Health from University College London. She is a clinical lecturer at the University of Liverpool and primary care dentistry research champion for the North West Clinical Research Network. She has published over 30 papers, is on the BDA Central Committee for University Dental Educators and Researchers and is an Associate Editor for the Community Dental Health Journal. She succeeds Andrew Parashchak MCGDent, who stood down after six years on the Council and former FGDP Board.
Matthew Collins FCGDent, a general dental practitioner in Batley and Chair of Calderdale and Kirklees Local Dental Committee, has been elected as the first ever representative of the College’s Faculty of Dentists. He has been a national representative on the Council and former FGDP Board since 2020, and served as Vice President from 2023-24.
Ewen McColl FCGDent, Head of Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, Co-Editor of Standards in Dentistry and a former general dentist in the British Army, has been re-elected in the South West region, which he has represented since 2021.
Dalip Kumar AssocFCGDent, Principal of a mixed NHS-and-private general dental practice in Swansea, has been elected in Wales after serving a year as the appointed representative for the seat.
An announcement will be made shortly confirming an appointment to the new post of Chair of the Faculty of Dentists, the holder of which will also attend Council meetings.
The Council is the voice of the College’s members, overseeing its role as a professional body and guiding its development to fulfil its mission. Elections are held annually on a rotational basis, with the National seat and regional seats representing West & North Scotland, East of Scotland, Wessex & Oxford, South East & South West Thames and overseas members due for election in 2025, and the Northern Ireland seat in 2026.
Elected Council members serve three-year terms, and are then able to stand for re-election – subject to a lifetime limit of nine years’ service on the Council, including any past service on the FGDP(UK) National Board. Those elected this year will be inaugurated at the next Council meeting, which takes place in London on Friday 21 June.
Abhi Pal FCGDent, President of the College, said:
“Many congratulations to Steve, Jane, Stuart, Nicola, Fazeela, Anoup, Thomas, Miranda, Janine and Dalip on their election to Council, to Matt on his new seat and to Ewen on his re-election. As my own time on Council comes to a close, it is wonderful to see such experienced and knowledgeable practitioners elected by our members to continue to fulfil the College’s historic mission and to support my successor.
“I would also like to thank Jonathan and Andrew for their longstanding commitment to the College Council and Faculty Board, and Victor, Subir, Kanwar and Sagi for their service to the College Council. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all those who have served on the Council over the last three years for their support and counsel throughout my Presidency.”
Voting is now open for seats on the Council of the College of General Dentistry, and all eligible members are encouraged to cast their vote(s).
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. Twelve regional and role-based seats are being elected this year, with elected candidates due to serve from June 2024 – June 2027.
A ballot of eligible members is required for eight of these seats:
Faculty of Dentists
Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy
Central London
Mersey and North West
Trent and East Anglia
Wales
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Northern
Associate Members, Full Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows of the College who are dentists, dental nurses or orthodontic therapists are eligible to vote for their respective role-based (Faculty) representative. (For electoral purposes, all members have been automatically assigned to one of the College’s four faculties based on the team role in which they have registered their College membership.)
Full Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows of the College whose registered address with the College is within one of the regions in which a ballot is being held are eligible to vote in that regional election.
College Council elections employ the Alternative Vote (AV) system, under which eligible members rank candidates in order of preference. A candidate receiving over 50 per cent of first preference votes is elected. Otherwise the candidate with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated and their second preference votes are reallocated to the remaining candidates until one candidate has more votes than the other remaining candidates put together.
All eligible members were sent an email on Wednesday 24 April 2024 by the College’s election services provider, Mi-Voice, to the email address which the member has registered with the College. This email confirms the election(s) for which the member is eligible to vote, and contains a unique link through which they can complete and submit their vote(s) online.The deadline to cast votes is 10am on Friday 24 May 2024.
Please ensure that your membership of CGDent is up to date before you vote, otherwise your vote might not count. The CGDent member register displays a list of all current members. Alternatively, you can contact us at [email protected] to confirm your membership status. If you do need to renew your membership, you can do this easily online here
New members joining during the voting period will also be eligible to vote, but should note that it will take around a week for their unique voting details to be issued to them, and late votes will not be counted.
The candidates are listed below with their election statements.
Following the election, the results will be announced in late May or early June.
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.
“Standing for election at the College of General Dental Practice presents a significant opportunity to actively contribute to the advancement of dental practice. With my extensive experience and dedication to the field, I could offer invaluable insights and perspectives, enriching the discourse within the CGDP community.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a dedicated dental professional with extensive experience and a passion for education and clinical practice. Holding a BDS with distinction, along with postgraduate qualifications including MJDF, MSc and MA, and presently studying for a Ph.D. supports my commitment to professional growth and development. I have served as a Senior Clinical Teacher in Restorative Dentistry at Guy’s Dental for over a decade, where I coordinate modules, mentor students, and contribute to curriculum design. Alongside my academic role, I actively engage in General Dental practice since my qualification, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care. My commitment extends beyond clinical and educational realms, as evidenced by my involvement with the General Dental Council as Clinical Advisor and Education Associate and Royal College of Surgeons as a Quality Assurance Advisor for ORE. Furthermore, I am passionate about reducing inequalities as shown through my work with the Local Dental Committee.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
Standing for election at the College of General Dental Practice presents a significant opportunity to actively contribute to the advancement of dental practice. With my extensive experience and dedication to the field, I could offer invaluable insights and perspectives, enriching the discourse within the CGDP community. By participating, I not only have the chance to represent the interests and concerns of my peers but also to influence the direction of policies and initiatives that shape the future of general dental practice. I will endeavour to foster collaboration, innovation, and positive change within the profession, ultimately contributing to the improvement of patient care and the elevation of standards in dental healthcare. Embracing this opportunity aligns with my commitment to excellence and desire to make a lasting impact in the field of dentistry.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
My ambitions for the organisation would revolve around fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that prioritises the advancement of dental practice and patient care. Therefore, I aim to promote initiatives that enhance professional development opportunities for members, ensuring access to knowledge and training resources. Additionally, I aspire to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders to address key challenges facing the dental profession, such as oral health inequalities and workforce development. Through effective communication and engagement, I intend to cultivate a sense of unity and shared purpose among members, empowering them to actively join and contribute to the organisation’s mission. Furthermore, I am committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote a welcoming and supportive environment for all dental professionals to be part of locally and nationally.
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.
Throughout my professional journey, I have consistently demonstrated the skill set necessary to contribute meaningfully to the work of the Council. As a Senior Clinical Teacher, I have honed my communication and leadership abilities, guiding and mentoring students while coordinating complex modules and workshops. My roles at the General Dental Council have equipped me with a deep understanding of regulatory processes and the importance of upholding professional standards. Additionally, serving as a Director for the Harrow Local Dental Committee has provided me with invaluable experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and advocacy for local healthcare needs. On a personal level, I am deeply committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, as evidenced by my pursuit of postgraduate degrees and involvement in research endeavours. These experiences collectively illustrate my capacity to contribute effectively to the Council’s work, leveraging my skills, knowledge, and passion for excellence in dental practice.
“I have been on the board in a national seat for the last three years, with the last year as Vice President. I have found the experience stimulating and interesting and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure so far. I am very keen to continue on the board to help forge our way towards a Royal Charter.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a GDP and practice owner in Yorkshire and have further training in prosthodontics and implants. Our 10 surgery practice has been involved in the FD scheme for over 20 years.
I have been involved in the Faculty since gaining membership in 2001. I am passionate about educational progression and mentoring, so following on from attaining my fellowship in 2010 I became a facilitator for the award. In 2021 I was elected to the board for one of the national seats. I have embraced being part of the transition from FGDP into CGDent and endeavoured to add value wherever possible. Last year I was elected as Vice President and have supported the President to steer the college in the direction set by the trustees.
I have 2 teenage boys and an orthodontist wife. Together as a family we enjoy most sports, especially rugby, skiing and the gym.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I have been on the board in a national seat for the last three years, with the last year as Vice President.
I have found the experience stimulating and interesting and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure so far.
I am very keen to continue on the board to help forge our way towards a Royal Charter. I feel I have the skill set and the energy to add value to the organisation and represent our region.
My involvement with the college since 2001 demonstrates my commitment to it and what is stands for.
Your vote would be gratefully appreciated and to allow me to continue in a role within the College.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
As a College we need to continue to define our career pathway so the whole team has a clear vision of what we represent and how we can support them as members throughout their career.
Progressing the College towards a Royal Charter is an important next step. We strive to raise standards for the whole team, enabling all team members to be the best professional version of themselves.
Increasing awareness of the College is paramount, so all dentists and their team members are inspired to become members.
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.
I have been a practice owner and LDC Chair for many years and also Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Forum of LDCs. I am well experienced in chairing meetings and being able to keep meetings on track. This allows robust discussions on relevant topics and the direction required to reach decisions. All the above roles involve working as part of a larger team, requiring constructive intervention to progress ideas. I am organised, considered, tactical and prudent, which are all necessary attributes to work successfully with a wider team.
“My decision to stand for election stems from a deep-seated commitment to advancing the field of general dentistry and serving our professional community. Having been a member of the Strategic Advisory Group, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that strategic leadership can have on our profession.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
Qualifying from Liverpool in 1991, opting for then voluntary VT. I embarked on a career path from three years as a SHO in OMFS across Truro, Portsmouth, and Bristol to over a decade of teaching at the University of Manchester in Oral Maxillofacial surgery, and Staff Implantologist at UCLan, my professional trajectory has been dynamic and enriching.
I am currently the principal for two mixed practices in Lancashire, where I merge my passion for dentistry with a deep commitment to patient care. My love for the field is evident in my pursuit of multiple dental courses and qualifications and my role as a Tier 2 Minor Oral Surgery provider along with handling referrals from various disciplines like endodontics, implants, and orthodontics.
Beyond dentistry, I find solace in traveling, indulging in sports like badminton and squash, and occasionally delving into a good book when time permits!
Why did you decide to stand for election?
My decision to stand for election stems from a deep-seated commitment to advancing the field of general dentistry and serving our professional community. Having been a member of the Strategic Advisory Group under the esteemed founding president, Prof. Nairn Wilson, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that strategic leadership can have on our profession.
I am a staunch advocate for the establishment of an independent college for general dentistry, believing it to be a crucial step towards elevating our field and providing a dedicated platform for professional development and collaboration.
With over three decades of experience, predominantly in general practice, I am driven by a desire to give back to our profession and leverage my expertise to serve the college and its members effectively.
As a general practitioner, I represent the voice of over 30,000 registered dental practitioners, advocating for their needs and aspirations within the college.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
Central to my ambitions, to attain Royal Charter status, a testament to our commitment to excellence and professionalism. Additionally, I envision positioning the dentist as a trusted consultant in general dental practice, further solidifying our role as integral contributors to the healthcare ecosystem.
My ambitions are centred around elevating our profession to new heights of excellence and impact. My vision is to cultivate a robust community, characterised by a diverse and dedicated team united in our pursuit of excellence. I am committed to fostering an environment that encourages lifelong learning, career progression, and professional development through educational examinations, courses, and research tailored to the nuances of primary care within various healthcare settings.
With your support, I am poised to realise these ambitions and propel our profession towards greater recognition and impact. Together, let us chart a course towards a brighter future for CGDent and the dental profession as a whole.
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 33 year professional journey has been marked by a diverse array of experiences that underscore my ability to contribute effectively to the work of the Council. Serving as a member of the Local Dental Committee for the past five years, BDA local chairman, has honed my skills in collaborative decision-making and advocacy within the dental community. As a mentor to ADI, NW deanery Dental Appraiser and through my tenure at Manchester Dental Hospital and UCLan, I’ve gained a deep understanding of communication requirements and the intricacies of interdisciplinary teamwork.
Leading two dental practices underscores my management and ability to navigate complex operational challenges. I’ve lectured nationally demonstrating my expertise and commitment to knowledge dissemination. Additionally, my collaborative research efforts highlight my dedication to advancing our profession through evidence-based practice. These experiences and skill set are needed to make meaningful contributions to the work of the Council.
“I’m standing for election driven by a deep commitment to address the challenges faced by dental nurses. Through my experiences as a locum, I’ve witnessed firsthand the frustrations of colleagues feeling overlooked and stagnant in their careers – unable to advance despite their contributions.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I began my career as a trainee dental nurse in 2014, and after qualifying in 2017, I pursued additional certifications in specialised areas like sedation nursing (SAAD), impression taking, fluoride application, and ILM in decontamination and cross-infection control lead.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various dental specialties, including Orthodontics, Minor oral surgery, Implants, and Endodontics. This diverse experience has allowed me to develop a comprehensive skillset and in-depth understanding of dentistry.
Beyond clinical practice, I’ve taken on leadership roles, contributing to the professional development of trainee nurses and managing operations within dental practices. Currently, I’m the proprietor of a respected locum agency, where I help dental practices meet their staffing and compliance needs.
Committed to continual growth, I consistently seek out educational opportunities to advance my expertise in dentistry. In my personal time, I enjoy spending time with my family and reading.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I’m standing for election driven by a deep commitment to address the challenges faced by dental nurses. Through my experiences as a locum, I’ve witnessed firsthand the frustrations of colleagues feeling overlooked and stagnant in their careers – unable to advance despite their contributions.
As your representative, I will be a steadfast advocate, ensuring the voices of dental nurses are heard and their efforts recognised. My goal is to create clear pathways for professional growth and advancement, fostering a supportive environment where every nurse can thrive.
By standing for election, I seek to enact meaningful change that empowers dental nurses to reach their full potential and elevates the profession as a whole. With my diverse expertise and drive for continuous improvement, I’m prepared to be a tireless champion for my colleagues, driving progress and elevating the vital role we play in delivering exceptional dental care.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
As your representative, my ambition is to foster a deeply supportive and empowering environment for dental nurses. I envision spearheading initiatives focused on expanding access to continuous education and training opportunities, enhancing collaboration and networking among professionals, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being and advancement of our members.
Crucially, I also aspire to strengthen the visibility and recognition of dental nursing within the broader healthcare community. Through proactive engagement and strategic partnerships, I aim to elevate the status of our profession, emphasising our vital role in delivering exceptional patient care.
Ultimately, I see this organisation as a dynamic hub – one that inspires, educates and advocates, driving positive change that empowers dental nurses to thrive in their careers. By amplifying our voices and celebrating excellence, we can elevate dental nursing and ensure it remains at the forefront of innovation.
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.
Alongside my professional work, I regularly volunteer at a charity dental practice, providing hands-on nursing assistance and overseeing compliance protocols. This community engagement underscores my unwavering dedication to the field and showcases my ability to effectively manage clinical responsibilities while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
Through my active participation twice monthly, I demonstrate a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality care aligned with industry best practices. This hands-on involvement enhances my skills and cultivates a deep understanding of the challenges facing dental practitioners and the importance of effective governance.
I believe these diverse experiences have equipped me with the requisite skill set to make a meaningful contribution as your representative. Additionally, I offer dental nurses free advice and am readily available to provide guidance whenever they reach out through group chats or other channels.
“Teamworking has been an essential feature throughout my career. This is best illustrated through my support and contribution already made to the dental nursing profession. Beyond Community Dentistry, I continue to represent dental nurses nationally in my BADN role.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
Over the course of my career, i have been dedicated to the advancement of the dental nursing profession.
I started my career in General Dental Practice in 1986, qualifying in 1993.Since 1995, I have primarily been employed in Community Dentistry, where i have progressed in both clinical and educational roles. Currently, as Clinical Workforce Development Lead, I lead on the design and delivery of clinical training projects, and upskilling of the workforce. As an educator, i have a deep understanding of the dental team and specifically, the needs and career aspirations of dental nursing professionals.
I work collaboratively with stakeholders, to deliver innovative approaches to education.
I am past President of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) and currently hold the position of Deputy Chair of the Education Committee. I have a particular interest in mentoring and the wider use of skill mix within the dental team.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
Teamworking has been an essential feature throughout my career. This is best illustrated through my support and contribution already made to the dental nursing profession. Beyond Community Dentistry, i continue to represent dental nurses nationally in my BADN role. My decision to stand for election has been multifactorial, further influenced by the exemplarily support shown by my peers. I have contributed to CG Dent during my time on the Career pathway Dental Nursing (DN) & Orthodontic Therapy (OT) Working Group and currently in my role on the DN & OT Faculty Board. Representation on CG Dent Council is a progressive step, to enable me to influence further the development of dental nurses and orthodontic therapists. As a member of the inaugural DNOT faculty team, i have contributed to effective working relationships, collaborating on plans relating to membership engagement and recruitment and fundamentally dedicated to progressing the DNOT faculty.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
To nurture mutual respect amongst the dental team. To develop the work already established through the career pathways, to build upon life-long career structures that provide purpose and direction for all dental professionals across the oral health team. To raise the professional standing of the DN & OT Faculty within the college by fostering parity of esteem for all registered occupations, thus highlighting the importance of team working.
Develop a deeper understanding of the professional roles with the dental team and how these roles can best be supported through accessible and meaningful education, embracing the diversity within the workforce.
Promote the role of CG Dent in Primary Dental Care, by raising an awareness of their routes to recognition within the dental sector, for all those who contribute to the progression of oral health.
To influence decisions made, to ensure the college evolves and remains fit for purpose in the future.
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.
I have worked collaboratively with a wide number of organizations during the course of my career. In respect to influencing the development of dental nurses, i have developed and delivered courses from Primary to Foundation Degree level, working with organizations such as Health Education England, Skills For Health, the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN), Universities and several Independent training providers. Beyond my CG Dent role on the Faculty Board, i am an examiner and Subject Matter Expert for the NEBDN and continue my work with the BADN. In addition to my Presidential term, i was chair of BADN’s Executive Committee.
I can clearly demonstrate the importance of Life Long Learning, gaining several post registrable qualifications, an undergraduate degree in Primary Dental Care and a post graduate degree in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare (Applied Dental Professional Practice).
I am a team worker, quick to embrace the opinions of others.
“I am currently at the end of my presidency for the London Dental fellowship, and am a board member of British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry. I enjoy and value contribution with my colleagues to organisations that uplift and promote good practice amongst our peers.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a GDP , qualified 30 years who has spent some time in hospital , practice and the community service . I am the founding clinician of a general practice in Central London and i have a special interest in Implant surgical and restorative treatment .
I split my clinical time in practice and also teaching post-graduate implant dentistry both in the Uk and abroad at Diploma and Masters Level.
I spend much of my spare time enjoying the cultural arts and sports with my grown children ; and also volunteering for charitable work with Childline and other overseas projects.
I enjoy the culinary arts ; film and fine dining but am also really interested in where our food comes from and how it gets to our table.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I am currently at the end of my presidency for the London Dental fellowship, and am a board member of British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry. I enjoy and value contribution with my colleagues to organisations that uplift and promote good practice amongst our peers.
The opportunity to give back to my profession especially within the CGD would be a privilege for me especially as there are exciting developments in the pipeline which would encourage GDPs to be more involved in pathways that recognise their contribution /experience giving them pathways within their remit to progress throughout their career.
It allows me to develop leadership skills and to work within a strategic team of colleagues helping and participating in matters that will ultimately shape some of the pathways that impact on general practice .
I also feel that as i am connected to many younger colleagues that i could understand their career aspirations.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
I would aspire to all members of the team becoming part of the CGD family, with them relating to and feeling that their aspirations are being heard and represented in a manner that is progressive and balanced.
The college needs to connect with our younger colleagues to ensure that future developments and standards will be revised and maintained by GDPs moving forward . I would like the college to be involved in all aspects of mentoring and guidance which would be valid and cogent for all aspects of practice .
The career pathways are of paramount importance and this supported by educational standards being set will go some way to providing a framework which recognises and accredits colleagues who have vast experience and significant training.
I hope to be able to contribute to some of the above.
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.
I have a background in general practice and teaching both at university and private accredited Diploma and Masters Level courses. The groups range from 10-100 delegates .I feel that i can work in a team and also have worked at Board level both at the FGDP , BAAD and ADI.
I have held treasurer , secretary and president roles in the past and have some experience of working in large teams as well as leading and supporting roles both in education and service organisations.
Personally, i believe that coming from a large family and working in a team enables me to develops skills which are vital such as listening and understanding the viewpoint of others. I think as a GDP i can empathise with colleagues of all backgrounds and provide support and encouragement across the board.
“I have a lifelong passion for dentistry. I am a maverick but my views are widely accepted and appreciated. I would like to share my ethos and wealth of knowledge with a larger and new generation audience. Dentistry is a brilliant profession but it seems to have lost direction due to being overwhelmed by administrative dictates and the evolution into new technology.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
Lecture internationally. Author of numerous publications including the Technical Appendix to Failure in the Restored Dentition – Management and Treatment, by Dr Michael Wise with whom I worked for twenty years. .
Managing Director of ‘Dental Excellence (Technologies) Ltd.’ and Principal of ‘Dental Education Nurtured Through Science’. Trained at the Eastman. A Fellow of the City and Guilds, a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry. Past President of BAAD, former Director of Education for the DLA.UK Technician of the Year 2003. 2013 received a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contribution to Dentistry. My training facility, offers education and training to clinicians and technicians, I mentor students for a career in dentistry.
Married, four children, nine grandchildren. Squash player, skier and runner. Lover of classical music, enjoy most music, ballet, opera. Devoted to my wife, dog, family, friends, colleagues and students. A lover of life and the joy it brings.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I have a lifelong passion for dentistry.
I am a maverick but my views are widely accepted and appreciated. I would like to share my ethos and wealth of knowledge with a larger and new generation audience.
Dentistry is a brilliant profession but it seems to have lost direction due to being overwhelmed by administrative dictates and the evolution into new technology.
A steadying influence is much needed and I believe the college is the perfect vehicle to lead the way, nurture and support our profession.
Knowledge and understanding are the keys to our success and I would be delighted to share what I have to offer, while I still can.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
To see it recognised as the driver and lead source of excellence for our profession. For our aspirations to be honourable in nurturing oral health for the people we serve through public education on the merits of oral health.
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.
I am a determined, organised, passionate and fastidious individual.
Life has it’s ups and downs but I always remain positive a believe there are solutions to everything.
I have faced numerous professional challenges, which I have overcome through knowledge and kindness, care and empathy for others.
I trained myself to be good at what I do. Excellence is an aspiration, trying to achieve it is what matters. It always results in an acceptable outcome.
Living in a world that aspires to mediocrity results in an unacceptable lack of achievement.
I am a successful educator, trainer, mentor and author. I have nurtured many individuals to great success in our profession.
My business is state of the art in the heart of the City of London.
I’m up for change a progress but never throw the baby out with the bathwater.
I have a devoted successful family. I’ve got something right.
“Having dedicated over a decade to practicing dentistry in the vibrant northwest region, alongside my tenure as Clinical Director overseeing a cohort of over 120 dental professionals, I am propelled by a profound sense of duty to effect tangible change within my community.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
With a distinguished academic background originating from Egypt’s Alazhar University in 2001, I transitioned to the United Kingdom in 2003, embarking on a journey marked by professional growth and significant achievements. Having successfully completed my ORE examinations, I furthered my expertise with a Post Graduate Diploma in Endodontics from Chester University.
My professional trajectory ascended as I assumed the role of Group Clinical Director within a prominent healthcare consortium spanning the regions of north-west England, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. A testament to my commitment to the advancement of dentistry, I fervently devote myself to nurturing the talents of young dentists and international dental graduates navigating their inaugural experiences within the UK’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
Motivated by an unwavering dedication to surpassing challenges and effecting positive change, I am resolutely driven towards realizing ambitious objectives and leaving a lasting impact within my field.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
Having dedicated over a decade to practicing dentistry in the vibrant northwest region, alongside my tenure as Clinical Director overseeing a cohort of over 120 dental professionals, I am propelled by a profound sense of duty to effect tangible change within my community. My stewardship as CEO of Tipton Training Academy underscores my commitment to fostering career advancement and professional excellence amongst dentists.
Standing for election is a natural extension of my mission to empower and guide fellow practitioners towards fulfilling career trajectories. With an established reputation for supporting international dental graduates in navigating the complexities of UK dentistry, I am impassioned to extend my advocacy to a broader scope, ensuring equitable opportunities for all within our profession.
Driven by a fervent desire to enhance the professional landscape, I am compelled to offer my expertise and leadership to propel our collective aspirations towards realization.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
My aspirations for the College of Dentistry are firmly rooted in fostering global collaboration and expanding professional pathways for dentists worldwide. Leveraging my extensive networks within Middle Eastern, African, and Indian academic institutions, syndicates, and governmental bodies, I aim to internationalize CGDent’s programs, facilitating a seamless transition for international dentists entering the UK workforce.
Central to my vision is the establishment of clear and comprehensive career pathways, ensuring the first five years of practice in the UK are navigable and enriching for all practitioners. Additionally, I am committed to bolstering regional support structures, facilitating the formation of study groups to enhance professional and personal development.
By cultivating a vibrant community of CGDent members within these regions, we can collectively elevate standards of dental practice and foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
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 professional journey is punctuated by demonstrable examples of my ability to contribute meaningfully to the work of the Council of the College of Dentistry. Having mentored numerous young dentists through their formative years, witnessing their progression to practice ownership, academia, and specialization underscores my efficacy in nurturing talent and fostering professional growth.
My adept organizational skills, honed through years of corporate leadership and as CEO of a renowned private dental education academy, equip me to spearhead initiatives aligned with the College’s overarching vision. Collaborating closely with Health Education England (HEE), I played a pivotal role in devising and implementing medium-term courses aimed at enhancing dental practitioners’ proficiency and ensuring safe practice in the northwest.
Drawing upon this rich tapestry of experiences, I am poised to contribute proactively to the Council’s endeavours, championing innovation, excellence, and inclusivity within the realm of dental education and practice.
“I decided to stand for election because I believe that I will bring a unique and valuable set of skills to the role of CGDent representative for the North West. Particularly the fusion of clinical practice, teaching, academia and business partnership. I understand dentistry in primary, secondary and tertiary care.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
My clinical background includes working with adults and children with anxieties and/or special educational needs in primary, secondary and tertiary care. Presently, I am practice partner alongside my husband at Crown Bank Dental, an award winning referral practice in the heart of Cheshire. I lead the practice “kids team”, sedation services, patient advisory group, marketing and CPD events. In addition, I’m a clinical lecturer at University of Liverpool and deliver sedation in CDS.
Since graduating in 2010, I’ve pursued my passion to be at the forefront of improving patients’ whole health. I have a masters and PhD in dental public health. I’ve published 30+ peer reviewed articles, received multiple clinical and academic awards, and am an associate Editor for Community Dental Health journal.
I’m mother to two girls aged 2&4. I enjoy taking part in triathlons and recently took up acting, performing my first monologue on stage.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I decided to stand for election because I believe that I will bring a unique and valuable set of skills to the role of CGDent representative for the North West. Particularly the fusion of clinical practice, teaching, academia and business partnership.
I understand dentistry in primary, secondary and tertiary care and I understand the importance of translating research from institutions into evidence-based primary care dental practice.
I have unique insights through my role as primary care dentistry research champion for the North West Clinical Research Network, through introducing national research projects into our own practice and my involvement with the British Dental Association Dental Academic Staff Committee. I want to share these insights with the profession and encourage more general dental practitioners to become involved in research.
I want to support the CGDent in developing policy, research and standards, and creating high quality educational resources.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
My ambitions for the organisation are to contribute to national level policy, research and standards. Particularly advocating for the involvement of primary care dentists in research and academia as well as promoting primary dental care research. I believe that research in primary care is crucial to understanding and meeting the needs of primary care dentists and their patients.
The focus of my current research is oral health stigma. In 2023, along with colleagues, I published a comprehensive description of oral health stigma. I would like to bring a wider understanding to the dental profession of the negative impacts of oral health stigma for patient mental health and wellbeing, life chances and to consider our role as dental professionals in addressing oral health stigma.
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.
As described above, I am ambitious and determined. I thrive in a range of different dental environments and have excelled in academia and research. Further, my research has been impactful gaining publication in the national news and multiple other newspapers around the globe.
I understand the unique challenges and opportunities of operating a mixed NHS/private dental practice. I am confident in public speaking with experience of international presenting, chairing and organising symposia. I have created novel educational material for undergraduate and postgraduate courses and CPD events. For several years I volunteered with Crisis at Christmas homeless dental service and in special care worked with vulnerable people, therefore I understand the importance of professional awareness of inclusion oral health.
I am tenacious to a fault and believe I would make an excellent CGDent representative.
“I would love to have the honour of representing Trent & East Anglia for CGDent. These are exciting times for the College and, if I am given the opportunity of representing the Members and Fellows in my region, I will do my utmost to serve you as best as I can.”
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Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a general dentist with a 5 surgery practice in Cambridge. I was previously an examiner for the FGDP(UK) membership examination. I have taught implant dentistry for many years and I am Director of the Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology. I am also the Clinical Course Lead for the MSc in Advanced Dental Implantology and the MSc in General Dental Practice at Aston University. I am passionate about the improvement of postgraduate education in general dental practice. I am now coming towards the end of a Masters Degree in Medical Education at The University of Cambridge, where I also occasionally teach in this subject.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I would love to have the honour of representing Trent & East Anglia for CGDent. These are exciting times for the College and, if I am given the opportunity of representing the Members and Fellows in my region, I will do my utmost to serve you as best as I can.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
Although a relatively new organisation, the College of General Dental Practice is an important body for the national promotion of quality and standards in general dental practice. As GDPs, we are the predominant provider of dental care for the population. A high profile and respected College is an essential body to lead the dental profession into the future of dentistry.
I would like to see CGDent gain Royal College status and for the College to continue in its drive for improved career pathways in general dental practice by getting more involved in quality controlling and accrediting postgraduate qualifications which are relevant for all members of the general dental practice team. The surgical Royal Colleges are best placed for postgraduate qualifications in the specialised areas of dentistry but there remains a need for better access and quality control for general dental practice qualifications.
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.
As an experienced clinician and educator, I feel that I have a good understanding of how the members of our profession wish to move forwards into what should be an exciting future for dentistry. Committed dentists and dental team members need a professional body with a solid strategic plan to help us develop our careers and improve the care that we provide to our patients in general dental practice. My experience in leading postgraduate programmes should enable me to help the College continue in its goals of improving the standards of postgraduate education in general dentistry and facilitating structured career pathways for its members.
“As a dental professional deeply invested in the well-being of patients and fellow practitioners, I am excited to submit my nomination. Having been a GDP for over 20 years, I understand the challenges and difficulties that dental professionals face daily, and I am committed to finding ways to support and uplift the community.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I qualified from Guys’ Hospital in London in 2002. I currently split my clinical week between mixed practice in Bury St. Edmunds and private practice in Nottingham.
In 2021, I completed a Masters’ degree in Dental Law and Ethics from the University of Bedfordshire, gaining a distinction. Following this, I have published multiple papers on subjects including evidence-based dentistry and consent. I also write a regular column on ethics for the BDJ. I am an Associate Fellow of the College of General Dentistry and a member of the BDA’s private practice subcommittee of the GDPC.
I am also a non-executive director for CDS, a social enterprise providing community dentistry for most of the East of England.
Aside from dentistry, I am a keen musician and enjoy life at home in the Suffolk countryside with my wife and Golden Retriever, Monty.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
As a dental professional deeply invested in the well-being of patients and fellow practitioners, I am excited to submit my nomination. Having been a GDP for over 20 years, I understand the challenges and difficulties that dental professionals face daily, and I am committed to finding ways to support and uplift the community.
I believe that serving on the council would be an excellent opportunity for me to use my experience and knowledge to help improve the lives of dental professionals and their patients alike. I am passionate about fostering better communication and collaboration between practitioners and promoting a more compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
As a council member, I would work to ensure that dental professionals’ needs and concerns are heard and addressed. I believe that working together can create a brighter future for our profession.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
I believe that the College can and should be a leading light in the profession in terms of standard setting and professional development.
I am passionate about developing career pathways for all members of the dental profession, including nurses, technicians, and therapists, so that newly qualified and experienced clinicians can have a structured future that will lead to greater career stability and success.
Similarly, many clinicians are unsure of what standards are expected of them. Updating current guidelines and developing new ones should be at the forefront of the College’s efforts. Equally, the College should ensure these guidelines are just that and not weaponised to judge us.
And finally, the College should aim to become the Royal College of General Dentistry, indicating the profession’s status in the greater realm of healthcare.
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.
Having qualified over twenty years ago, I understand how the dental profession has developed in its recent history. My work as a non-executive director has built on the leadership skills I developed during my Master’s degree. These skills have led me to work on a therapist training pathway and lead a GDP expansion of a specialist practice.
My collaborative approach, ability to identify key stakeholders, and build consensus around important issues will enable the Council to achieve its objectives promptly and effectively. Additionally, through my writing and lectures on ethics, I have developed the ability to communicate complex ideas to a diverse audience. I can help the Council reach a larger audience and influence policy decisions by breaking down complicated concepts into easy-to-understand terms.
I believe that these combined leadership and communication skills would make me a valuable member of the Council.
“The College of General Dentistry sets standards which are fundamentals to the practice of dentistry in the UK. I have been practicing dentistry in Wales for many years, so I am aware about challenges faced by dental professionals in Wales related to recruitment, workforce retention and career progression.”
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Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
My name is Dalip Kumar – a founding member and Associate Fellow of the College of General Dentistry – and I am running for the election of the Wales regional seat.
I obtained MFDS of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow in 2008, and BDS from India in 1994. Moreover, in 2014, I completed P G certificate in Clinical Dentistry from Cardiff University, and MSc in implant dentistry from University of Salford in 2021. I have experience of working in both clinical and research fields of dentistry. Presently, I am the principal dentist of a three-surgery NHS dental practice in Swansea, Wales.
As a current College certified facilitator of the certified membership and having acted as a council member last year, I have been an active member of the college council.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
The College of General Dentistry sets standards which are fundamentals to the practice of dentistry in the UK. I have been practicing dentistry in Wales for many years, so I am aware about challenges faced by dental professionals in Wales related to recruitment, workforce retention and career progression. I decide to stand for election so that I can put forward views and opinion of Welsh members effectively and the college can play its role advocating policies that deliver better oral health in Wales and ensure career progression of Welsh DCPs.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Wales has one of the lowest dentist-to-population ratios in the developed world, at just 0.4 dentists per 1,000 people. I will advocate for implementation of policies which benefits Welsh members and retention of dental workforce in Wales which will improve Welsh public oral health.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
My ambitions are to increase number of members of the College throughout the world so that maximum dental professionals can take advantage of structured career pathway which the college offer through certified membership scheme. Also, the college participation in the National policies making process for better oral health and be at front to address the issues faced by dental professionals and the public for their oral health. In addition, regular updates on standards relevant to concurrent practice, and collaborations with like-minded institutions for career progression of DCPs and better oral health of the public.
As a representative of Wales in the College, I intend to use the College as a platform to benefit the public in Wales, and work for the good of our profession which will also include study days for further learning.
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.
I had organised a focus group meeting in Wales for the preventive dentistry Haleon research project , and inspired and motivated others for driving their progress as a facilitator and a mentor.
I am committed to serving the community and had worked at a charity dental clinic and delivered oral hygiene education at community gatherings.This dedication motivates me to work and advocate for the best interests of members and the Public
Further, my approach will be relevant to the dental team and the range of roles that individuals perform, embracing diversity within our professional constituencies.
“I would love to be able to be part of something bigger and have a wider impact on the provision of dentistry. I want to help improve the standard of dentistry in Wales and provide an ear to Welsh dentists and support them to improve the standard of care they provide, whilst keeping them interested and motivated to learn.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a dentist originally from North Wales and studied in Cardiff University, where I graduated in 2013. I carried out my foundation training in North Wales and have worked in practices primarily in North and South Wales during my professional life. I was an Educational Supervisor for the past 3 years in Cardiff until I started a new role in London and am now split between Cardiff and London and work exclusively as a private dental practitioner in general practice as I wanted to develop my skills with the ‘gold standard’ approach to dentistry. I have also worked as a DCT in Cambridge, Newport and Cardiff Hospitals so I have had a taste of secondary care dentistry, and spent a year working as a dentist in New Zealand.
My personal non-dental interests include health and wellbeing, socialising, sports, philosophy, physics and I sing in a choir
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I would love to be able to be part of something bigger and have a wider impact on the provision of dentistry. I want to help improve the standard of dentistry in Wales and provide an ear to Welsh dentists and support them to improve the standard of care they provide, whilst keeping them interested and motivated to learn.
I believe this would provide an excellent opportunity for me to learn about so many aspects of dentistry that I do not currently have access to, be able to meet and discuss important issues with like minded individuals, as well as providing a sense of fulfilment that I am doing something of importance to the people around me
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
I want to make the college a valuable and attractive asset for dentists to be a part of and work together with other dental organisations and the government improve the standard of care of dentistry in the country.
I want to improve what we can offer and create a culture of growth and support.
I love the continual improvement aspect of the college and want to help provide up to date gold standard practice guidelines in a simple way that dentists can take on board effectively.
I want to use my problem solving skills to deal with the bigger issues facing 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.
I am a board member of the Welsh Dental Society, where I enjoy working with like minded dentists to tackle the problems we are facing together and contribute towards creating something better for the community
I am confident in providing a voice for the public, where I have spoken on behalf of the BDA for TV and radio coverages of NHS impacts on dentistry in Wales
I am very much a people person and am always open to hearing different opinions. I am keen to improve the team aspect of the college and involvement with both NHS and private dental boards
I spend the majority of my money on courses, so I value the importance of high quality teaching and the benefits of support and mentoring on our dental journeys, I want to ensure the quality of teaching is also excellent and accessible to those who need it
“My journey in dentistry has been marked by an unwavering commitment to providing high quality of care to my patients, the pursuit of continuous learning and a drive to carve out a unique career as a General Dental Practitioner. These are synonymous with the Values that the College is striving to promote within the profession.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am an overseas qualified dentist who started in NHS practice in the Midlands in 2005 as an associate dentist. I have been an Educational Supervisor in Foundation Training for 7 Years. I am an accredited Tier 2 Oral Surgery provider and sedation trainer. I have experience in Primary Dental Care, the Community Services, the Salaried Hospital Service, and Universities.
Currently I work as a Clinical Director for a large corporate, overseeing 150 practices in the Northwest Region. As well in helping to shape the delivery of local dental services, my role involves working collaboratively with several LATs and being a representative on several MCNs and LPNs.
Additionally I work at the Birmingham Dental Hospital as Speciality Dentist in Oral Surgery and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Oral Surgery at the School of Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham since 2008. on a personal front I like traveling, good food and music.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
My journey in dentistry has been marked by an unwavering commitment to providing high quality of care to my patients, the pursuit of continuous learning and a drive to carve out a unique career as a General Dental Practitioner.
These are synonymous with the Values that the College is striving to promote within the profession and uniquely placed today to be the broad church that unites all strands of the dental community representing not only Dentists but colleagues from all other dental professional roles.
It would therefore be with great pride that I would join the council of CGDent to serve and progress these causes.
I have had a long association with the College staring with my roles as the Divisional MJDF tutor for the West Midland division of FGDP(UK) and more recently delivering CPD sessions on behalf of the College at the BDA dentistry shows.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
1) Amplify the College’s voice : To advocate through the College ,the needs and concerns of dental professionals across dentistry
2) Inclusivity : To seek to ensure representation from diverse backgrounds from within the wider dental team and work with colleagues on Council to inform and shape our polices and guidelines.
3) Career Pathways and Lifelong learning : to promote and develop the College’s career pathways of the modern dental team and validate high quality education for the profession
4) Collaboration with Stakeholders; To ensure college works collaboratively with Government ,Regulators, industry partners and international colleagues, and widen the sphere of influence of the college.
5) Drive up standards of Care and ensure Patient -centred care: To work towards ensuring that the college continues to set the high standards of care in oral health care and encourage the profession to deliver high quality effective patient centred care.
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.
1) As a Clinical Director I have to be responsive, proactive and demonstrate leadership and management skills with the ability to be accessible, innovative and problem solve .
2) I have worked in several committee such the Advisory Board for Foundation training , Working Party for NHS Commissioning Guides, and in LDN’s which has allowed me to understand how committees operate and make decisions
3) As a practicing clinician within NHS practice and hospitals , I understand the challenges facing the NHS and the workforce. This will support Council in making policy positions for NHS dentistry.
4) My background in teaching ,mentoring and educational assessment will support the College’s development of Career Pathways and the Certified Membership Scheme.
5) My experience of working with international colleagues will support the college’s ambition to provide a support network for the overseas trained workforce in the UK and work with international organisations
“I was elected and served on the board of CGDent for the last three years holding the seat for the West Midlands representative. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few years seeing the college incepted and also grow in membership and strength as well as recognition n the profession and amongst other professional bodies.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
Having qualified in 1999 from Liverpool Dental School I completed my MFGDP (London UK) and a PGCME from Birmingham University. 5 years post VT I opened a practice in 2005.
I acquired my second practice in 2015. A large multi-disciplinary practice in Bromsgrove and opened another new practice after converting it from an old sweet shop to The Sweet Smile on a high street in 2023. I am a partner in a fourth practice in Manchester
I have been an FD trainer from 2006-2019 and a part-time clinical lecturer at Birmingham Dental School from 2003 to 2013. I run training courses in dentistry also
I have held a position on the BDA Central Counties Branch for over a decade and served as president for two years in this time.
A love for travelling and sport and support my three children in their journey with Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I was elected and served on the board of CGDent for the last three years holding the seat for the West Midlands representative. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few years seeing the college incepted and also grow in membership and strength as well as recognition n the profession and amongst other professional bodies
Continuing this work with, and for its members and also supporting colleagues across all disciplines in dentistry is something I have been an advocate for for many years. General Practice should be able to stand up and be counted with a voice that should be heard.
Working with like minded people over the last three years has allowed the college to grow and, from here its needs to flourish further with the correct leadership and support from its board. I believe I have and will continue to add value to this very credible organisation for dentistry
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
To see the College of General Dentistry continually growing in membership, in its recognition amongst other professional organisations and see it receive its Royal Charter
Empowering primary dental care and seeing and hearing a voice for GDPs as well as Dental Therapists, Technicians, DCP etc. Seeing this voice grow to enable CGDent to contribute and turn the wheels of change politically, and professionally.
I would like to see CGDent engage with the government to drive change in the NHS and also create a fair and transparent system of regulation with GDC and see CGDent standing along side other colleges and be equal in stature, ability, importance and recognition.
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.
Owning and managing practices and understanding the challenges to dental professionals and the team I feel is invaluable to contributing and shaping the college.
I believe i have the right skill sets to interact with its members in turn allowing me to assist in taking forward suggestions and concerns to regulatory bodies such as the CQC or GDC and also trade unions like the BDA as well as government to continually drive change for the better
Being able to bring such matters as an example to the CGDent board opens a voice of the profession to deliver better learning, policy ad harmony in the profession. This is something I have decades of experience with sitting as an elected member on various panels.
I am passionate about education in the profession and supporting its younger or less experienced members is a definite focus.
“I decided to stand for election because I am deeply committed to advancing the field of dentistry and supporting the dental community. I believe in the college and its values and feel that serving in this role provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of dental standards, education, and professional practice.“
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
Born and raised in Birmingham, following graduation from the University of Birmingham in 2002, I undertook postgraduate training at the Eastman. Now practicing in two locations in the West Midlands, I focus on general dentistry with an interest in surgical dentistry and implantology.
I take great pride in my dental practices and the dedicated team I work with. Our commitment to excellence has driven us to continuously refine our approach, ensuring the highest standard of care for our patients.
Beyond clinical work, I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Law to expand my knowledge and enhance my professional capabilities.
I’ve served as a clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham and a Foundation Dental Trainer, promoting postgraduate education. Additionally, I’m a committee member of the Birmingham LDC.
Outside of dentistry, I cherish time with family and friends, along with playing cricket at the weekends, despite my modest skills on the field.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I decided to stand for election as a Council Member at the College of General Dentistry because I am deeply committed to advancing the field of dentistry and supporting the dental community. I believe in the college and its values and feel that serving in this role provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of dental standards, education, and professional practice.
The college and its previous versions have given me so much, and this is my opportunity to give back.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
My ambitions for the college involve promoting its culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity within the dental community.
I would like to be given an opportunity to collaborate with fellow members and stakeholders to elevate the standards of dental care, promote continuous professional development, and advance patient outcomes. By fostering collaboration and communication among members, I hope to help create a supportive environment that empowers dentists to thrive in their careers and deliver the highest quality care to patients.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the College’s mission of advancing the art and science of dentistry for the betterment of our wonderful profession.
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.
Over the years, I have cultivated a skill set that I believe will contribute meaningfully to the work of the Council.
As a clinical lecturer, mentor and Foundation Dental Trainer, I’ve honed leadership abilities by guiding the next generation of professionals. Effective communication, essential for collaboration, has been central in my roles interacting with patients and colleagues. I’ve developed strong problem-solving skills through analysing complex clinical cases. My commitment to continuous learning, ensures I stay updated on the latest developments and techniques in and around dentistry.
I have experience of working with a large membership as I am one of the administrators of an online group with 20,000 members and I can bring insight from what I have learnt from this role. Lastly, my collaborative approach, fostered through teamwork in clinical and non-clinical settings, enables me to work harmoniously with fellow Council members towards shared objectives.
“I have been on the board in a national seat for the last three years, with the last year as Vice President. I have found the experience stimulating and interesting and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure so far. I am very keen to continue on the board to help forge our way towards a Royal Charter.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
I am a GDP and practice owner in Yorkshire and have further training in prosthodontics and implants. Our 10 surgery practice has been involved in the FD scheme for over 20 years.
I have been involved in the Faculty since gaining membership in 2001. I am passionate about educational progression and mentoring, so following on from attaining my fellowship in 2010 I became a facilitator for the award. In 2021 I was elected to the board for one of the national seats. I have embraced being part of the transition from FGDP into CGDent and endeavoured to add value wherever possible. Last year I was elected as Vice President and have supported the President to steer the college in the direction set by the trustees.
I have 2 teenage boys and an orthodontist wife. Together as a family we enjoy most sports, especially rugby, skiing and the gym.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I have been on the board in a national seat for the last three years, with the last year as Vice President.
I have found the experience stimulating and interesting and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure so far.
I am very keen to continue on the board to help forge our way towards a Royal Charter. I feel I have the skill set and the energy to add value to the organisation and represent our region.
My involvement with the college since 2001 demonstrates my commitment to it and what is stands for.
Your vote would be gratefully appreciated and to allow me to continue in a role within the College.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
As a College we need to continue to define our career pathway so the whole team has a clear vision of what we represent and how we can support them as members throughout their career.
Progressing the College towards a Royal Charter is an important next step. We strive to raise standards for the whole team, enabling all team members to be the best professional version of themselves.
Increasing awareness of the College is paramount, so all dentists and their team members are inspired to become members.
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.
I have been a practice owner and LDC Chair for many years and also Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Forum of LDCs. I am well experienced in chairing meetings and being able to keep meetings on track. This allows robust discussions on relevant topics and the direction required to reach decisions. All the above roles involve working as part of a larger team, requiring constructive intervention to progress ideas. I am organised, considered, tactical and prudent, which are all necessary attributes to work successfully with a wider team.
“Standing for election to a possible seat at the College of General Dentistry offers a unique opportunity to contribute actively to the advancement of the college and dental profession. Since taking up a position as Leeds Dentinal Tubules study club lead, I have first hand experience managing colleagues and advocated for their interests and concerns.”
Click here for candidate statements
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and your professional and personal interests.
After completing my PhD in tissue engineering, I decided to look to a career in dentistry. Following completion of my BChD I have furthered my training by taking the MJDF, Postgraduate certificate in restorative dentistry through the Dominic Hassall Academy and multiple other courses. This culminated with me completing a Diploma in Endodontics with distinction through Simply Endo and the University of Chester. This has allowed me to take a position of clinical lead at a group of private dental practices as well as taking external referrals for endontic. Outside of dentistry, I have a young family of which we love to take walks in the Yorkshire countryside. I also love CrossFit gym and reading to keep me physically and mentally in shape.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
Standing for election to a possible seat at the College of General Dentistry offers a unique opportunity to contribute actively to the advancement of the college and dental profession. Since taking up a position as Leeds Dentinal Tubules study club lead, I have first hand experience managing colleagues and advocated for their interests and concerns of which I have taken a lot of enjoyment. Additionally, holding a seat at the college would provide a platform to collaborate with colleagues, share expertise, and influence policy decisions that shape the direction of the college in my area and subsequently the profession.
I feel I am at an age and experience where I may now be able to benefit my peers in their career choices and progression.
What are your ambitions for the organisation?
In the ever-evolving landscape of dentistry, it is my hope that the College envisions a future marked by innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in patient care. The college should look to position itself to lead the profession into new frontiers of research, education, and practice. Embracing technological and theoretical advancements, the college should
empower its members with cutting-edge tools and knowledge, enabling them to deliver superior dental care tailored to the diverse needs of their patients. As ever fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development is the backbone of these goals.
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.
Clinical – Clinical Lead and DWSI.
Leadership – Dentinal Tubules Study Club Lead.
Outside of dentistry skill set – worked in multiple scientific industries prior to enrolling in dentistry
Age/Maturity – at a period in my life when I have more flexibility to take on other roles, especially as I am not burdened by practice ownership
Networking – generally good contacts throughout dentistry
REMINDERS: VOTES SHOULD BE CAST THROUGH THE UNIQUE LINK SENT TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS BY MI-VOICE BY EMAIL; VOTING CLOSES AT 10AM ON FRIDAY 24 MAY 2024
The latest issue of the Primary Dental Journal, ‘General dentistry (part one)’, is now live online.
The issue features articles on a wide range of topics of relevance to the whole dental team, selected by the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof Igor Blum (Clinical Professor of Primary Care Dentistry and Advanced General Dental Practice at King’s College London).
Topics covered include, among others, an exploration of the Delivering Better Oral Health version 4 toolkit; an examination of job satisfaction/dissatisfaction among dentists and dental care professionals; a review of current trends in digital implant planning and rehabilitation; and an update on dental transpositions. This issue also includes the final update on College developments by Dr Abhi Pal, whose term as President ends in June 2024. (The full list of contents is below.)
Outlining the purposes of the general dentistry issues, Prof Blum said:
“As part of our ongoing effort to support the journey of continued learning and development of the primary dental care team, the articles in these issues address topics likely to be informative and relevant to your practice, and which I trust readers will find stimulating, interesting and valuable.”
Full online access to the majority of articles is reserved for College of General Dentistry members and Primary Dental Journal subscribers, who can also expect their printed copies to arrive in the next 2–3 weeks.
For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available to purchase via the links below.
An annual print subscription, normally costing £130, is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to the current issue, access to the PDJ Archive of over 1,400 past articles, and a range of other benefits. College membership, which is tax deductible, is available from £125 for dentists, £83 for other dental professionals, and £42 for Dental Nurses, new registrants and concessions.
On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to the publication of this issue.
CGDent members can view full articles by logging in via the yellow button below, then clicking ‘Access the PDJ Archive’:
The College is expanding its elected national representation to encompass the whole dental team.
Elections are held each year for a number of seats on the College’s Council, and this year, for the first time, four role-based seats will be elected: one each representing dentists; dental hygienists and dental therapists; dental nurses and orthodontic therapists; and dental technicians and clinical dental technicians.
Those elected will serve three-year terms starting in June 2024, during which they will help to shape the College’s development, have the opportunity to be involved in areas such as careers, policy and standards, and be eligible to vote and stand in the annual election of two Vice Presidents of the College.
The elections, which are the latest step in a journey to build a Royal College for the general dental team, are taking place twenty years after the College’s predecessor organisation, the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP), began admitting Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) into Affiliate Membership.
However Affiliate Members – a category distinct from the Associate Membership and higher grades of membership then available only to dentists – could not progress in membership, nor stand for elected office or vote in elections, and their board representative did not carry a vote.
When the FGDP transferred into the College, CGDent became the first organisation of its type to allow all qualifying dental professionals into substantive membership, with Full Membership and Associate Fellowship opened to all team roles in 2021, followed by Fellowship in 2022.
For those without postgraduate qualifications, Associate Membership of the College is also now available equally to all registered dental professionals, with Affiliate Membership open to non-clinical team members such as practice managers.
At the same time as these changes were made, three additional seats were created on the College Council, all with voting rights, to ensure fuller representation of all registrant roles. These seats have been appointed during the early years of the College’s existence, but in becoming elected will further improve the standing of DCPs.
The franchise for the role-based seats has also been expanded to include Associate Members, enabling a greater number of DCPs and younger dentists to participate in Council elections, many for the first time.
And in addition to the role-based seats, dental professionals from across the clinical team who are Full Members may stand in any of the eight regional seats for which elections are also being held this year: Central London; Mersey and North West; North East and North West Thames; South West; Trent and East Anglia; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and Northern.
Nominations open on Friday 15 March and close on Monday 15 April, and dental professionals wishing to stand for election will need to be a member of the College to submit their nomination. Those not already a member are advised to apply for membership by the end of March in order to allow the process to complete in time.
Further information on the role and nominations process is available via the button below.
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