College of General Dentistry News

Dental leaders discuss professional development and career support

Senior College members took part in a recent meeting of dental leaders from across the UK to share learning on how best to support the careers and professional development of the future dental team.

College panellists, speakers and presenters at the Dental Leadership Network: (l-r) Roshni Karia, Manish Prasad, Ewen McColl and Catherine Rutland

Dr Roshni Karia MCGDent (President of the College) and Dr Manish Prasad FCGDent (Clinical Director at MyDentist and a CGDent Certified Membership Facilitator) both participated in a panel discussion on the question of ‘How do we align the needs of the sector with the expectations of new dental professionals?’.

Dr Karia, who was previously an early careers observer on the board of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) and more recently was a member of the College’s Career Pathways Programme Board, noted that new dental professionals are looking for support and guidance to enable them to have fulfilling careers offering flexibility, a sustainable work-life balance and opportunities for growth and recognition. She added that the College is in the process of developing structured pathways for all members of the dental team which will align these desires with the needs of the sector by recognising appropriate education, experience and skills acquisition at each career stage.

Professor Ewen McColl FCGDent (Chair of the Dental Schools Council, member of the College Council and Editor of the College’s Standards in Dentistry publication) gave a presentation on “How do we prepare BDS students for practice?” and took part in a panel discussion on “Ensuring development opportunities that meet the needs of  individual dental professionals“.

The sessions took place at the most recent ‘Dental Leadership Network’ day convened by the General Dental Council to facilitate shared ownership in addressing key challenges facing the profession.

Dr Catherine Rutland FCGDent (Clinical Director at Denplan) closed the event, and was also a facilitator of the final workshop session alongside Fiona Ellwood BEM (Executive Director of the Society of British Dental Nurses, Associate Member of the College and former Honorary Fellow of the FGDP).

Other attendees included Professor Avijit Banerjee FCGDent (Chair of the College’s Faculty of Dentists), Dr Debbie Reed FCGDent (Chair of the College’s Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy), Bill Sharpling FCGDent (Chair of the College’s Faculty of Clinical Dental Technology & Dental Technology), and College Council members Helen Kaney FCGDent and Miranda Steeples AssocFCGDent.

Held in London on 25 March on the theme of ‘Future dental team: their expectations, development and career’’, the event followed a previous meeting on workforce challenges involving Dr Abhi Pal FCGDent (then President of the College), Dr Debbie Reed FCGDent, Dr Catherine Tannahill MCGDent (Director of Clinician Engagement of Portman Dental) and Ashley Byrne FCGDent (Board Member of the Dental Laboratories Association). 

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College of General Dentistry News

Dental professionals invited to College Summer Reception

The College has issued an open invitation to all College members and other dental professionals to attend its 2025 Summer Reception.

The Summer Reception, incorporating the fourth annual College Fellows’ Summer Reception, will be an opportunity to network with your peers in the grand surroundings of the historic Cutlers’ Hall, and all dental professionals and those with professional interests in contemporary dentistry are invited to attend, with discounted tickets available to College members.

The event will include the ceremonial admission of new Fellows, and for the first time also Associate Fellows of the College. The President’s Award, typically given for charitable endeavours related to dentistry, will also be presented during the Reception, and this year’s winner of the prestigious College Medal is also expected to be announced. Photographs of the event will be made available to attendees shortly afterwards to download free of charge.

The College Summer Reception takes place from 5pm to 8pm on Friday 13 June in Sheffield, with registration open from 4.30pm.

It will be preceded from 2pm by the Inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture, to be delivered by Martin Kelleher FCGDent, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at King’s College Dental Hospital. Intended to stimulate and provoke healthy debate, this will challenge the notion of the ‘ideal treatment plan’ and contend that subconscious bias and possible self-interests can lead some supposed experts to confuse their version of a questionable ‘gold standard’ with what is really in a patient’s overall best interests and with what the law expects. This is also open to all dental professionals to attend, and CPD certificates will be provided.

Tickets are available for the reception only, lecture only, or combined lecture and reception. ‘Early Bird’ rates currently apply.

To secure your place, click the button below:

BOOK YOUR PLACE

For further information, visit the College’s events pages.

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College of General Dentistry Event

British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show

Friday 15 May (9am-5.30pm) & Saturday 16 May 2026 (9am-5pm), Birmingham

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

The College will once again be an education partner for the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS).

We will welcome members and non-members alike to our CPD lectures, with experts in their fields sharing their knowledge on a range of subjects and giving advice to support the professional development of the whole dental team. Details of the lecture programme will be announced in due course.

College representatives will be available throughout the show at the CGDent exhibition stand to talk to delegates about our vision for the profession, the benefits of membership and fellowship, and to answer your questions.

BDCDS is the UK’s largest dental event. Attendees will have access to over 200 CPD lectures in all across multiple lecture theatres, and the opportunity to network among 10,000 dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, practice managers, dental technicians and laboratory owners.

Co-located with Dental Technology Showcase, it is also a great opportunity to meet new and existing suppliers, with 400 exhibitors on site, including all the industry leaders.

Registration for BDCDS26 will be FREE for all dental professionals.

A link will be added below once registration is open.

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College of General Dentistry News

New PDJ online: Implant dentistry (part two)

The new issue of the Primary Dental Journal, ‘Implant dentistry (part two)’, is now available to view online.

While Implant Dentistry (part one) covered the roles of dental team members in managing implant patients within dental primary care, this part 2 issue focusses on clinical aspects of implant dentistry, including complications and adverse events, and recent technological advancements in the field, providing strategies for dental professionals.

The issue’s Guest Editor is Professor Ilser Turkyilmaz, Associate Dean of Digital Innovation, Professor and Chair at USA Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine. Professor Turkyilmaz explains the thinking behind the collection of topics in the part 2 issue:

“As we continue to advance in the field of implant dentistry, clinicians face an ongoing challenge to adopt and incorporate modern tools and materials that elevate the quality of patient care while simultaneously reducing the complexity of their workflows. Our goal with this issue is to enrich the knowledge base of both new and experienced practitioners, empowering them to achieve optimal patient outcomes…in the dynamic field of implant dentistry.”

Papers included in this issue cover a range of digital and analogue workflows, with the core emphasis on the importance of thorough treatment planning, reinforced by advanced imaging techniques. A full list is below.

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 around the end of January. New joiners wishing to receive a copy of this issue can let us know by emailing [email protected]

For non-members / non-subscribers, at least one paper in each issue is made available online free of charge, with all other articles available to purchase via the links below.

An annual print subscription to the PDJ is included with membership of the College, which also includes online access to over 1,500 current and past articles in the PDJ Library and a range of other benefits.

On behalf of the College, the PDJ editorial team would like to express its gratitude to all the authors and peer reviewers who have contributed to this issue.

ISSUE CONTENTS:

CGDent members can view full articles by logging in via the yellow button below, then clicking ‘Access the PDJ Library’:

PDJ MEMBER ACCESS

An earlier version of this article was published on 26 December 2024. The next issue of the journal, General Dentistry, is due out in Spring 2025.

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College of General Dentistry News

Nominations open for Council elections

Nominations are now open for elections to six seats on the College Council, and all Full Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows of the College are invited to nominate themselves as candidates.

Nominations are sought for the following seats:

  • East of Scotland
  • National representative
  • Overseas representative
  • South East & South West Thames
  • Wessex & Oxford
  • West & North of Scotland

Candidates for regional seats must live or work within that region, and be registered with that region with CGDent. Candidates for the National seat must live or work in the UK, and have a registered UK address with CGDent. Candidates for the Overseas seat must practice dentistry wholly outside the UK, and have a registered overseas address with CGDent.

All eligible members as at 16 January 2025 have been emailed a link to the nominations website by the College’s election services provider, Mi-Voice. If you are interested in standing for election, you will need to complete the nomination process via that link, where you will be asked for further information, the names of two supporting members, and to submit an election statement.

Members may stand simultaneously for both the National seat and the regional seat for which they are eligible (if applicable) by submitting a separate nomination form for each seat.

Further information on the role, nomination requirements and the election timetable can be found via the button below.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The deadline for receipt of nominations is Sunday 16 February 2025.

If you think you might like to put yourself forward as a candidate and would like further information before deciding, we would be pleased to have a confidential discussion and to answer any questions you may have about the role and the process. Please get in touch via [email protected]

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Exploring possibilities with PolyJet technology in digital dentistry

CGDent on-demand webinar, Wednesday 21 January 2026

Speaker: Lino Adolf

This webinar explores the latest advancements in digital dentistry, focusing on cutting-edge printing technologies, and will review how these innovations are transforming restorative workflows by eliminating the need for manual material changes or time-consuming post-processing to achieve natural-looking results.

Speaker:

  • Lino Adolf, Dental Technician and founder of Majestic Smile Ltd dental laboratory

Aims:

Explore the latest development in 3D printing technologies with a focus on direct multi-shade application during printing.

Objectives:

During this webinar, you will be able to: 

  • Describe the principles and capabilities of modern 3D printing systems used for multi-shade monolithic dental restorations.
  • Identify the advantages of using a fully digital workflow over traditional fabrication methods in restorative dentistry. 
  • Understand the materials and techniques involved in direct colour application during the printing process.

Learning outcomes:

After completing this webinar, you will gain an understanding of: 

  • The advantages of additive (3D printing) over subtractive (milling) technology when constructing dental devices. 
  • How to critically evaluate and select the most appropriate manufacturing method for dental restorations based on clinical requirements, material properties, aesthetic demands, and workflow considerations. 
  • How additive processes enable the direct incorporation of multiple shades and materials within a single print, enhancing aesthetic outcomes without the need for multiple manual steps or material swap.

CPD approx 1 hour

GDC development outcomes: C

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

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

Membership of the College of General Dentistry is open to all registered dental professionals. Membership is available from £135 for dentists, £45 for dental nurses and £91 for other registered dental professionals. The full list of CGDent membership rates is here 

watch webinar

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Mentoring and coaching course for dental care professionals, part 2

Friday 16 or 23 January 2026 TBC

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

Delivered online via Zoom

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

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

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

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

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

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

Course dates

FURTHER INFORMATION

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

College of General Dentistry News

Parliamentary briefing on preventative oral healthcare

Earlier this week, the College and Haleon presented The Dental Health Barometer – the organisations’ joint report on improving the provision of preventative oral healthcare – at a breakfast briefing held in Parliament.

Jon Elliott, Roshni Karia MCGDent, Simon Thornton-Wood PhD, Kate Fabrikant FCGDent

The meeting was one of a series of discussions being held with stakeholders to communicate and gather support for the recommendations identified in the report, which are based on the experience and insight of general dental professionals on how to bridge the gap between intentions and practical delivery of preventative care.

The research underlying the report included a survey of 2,000 UK dental patients and over 500 dental professionals which highlighted inconsistencies in the provision of preventative oral healthcare advice, and rich discussions held with 77 oral health professionals, in all dental team roles, in focus group meetings hosted at eight general dental practices throughout the UK.

Attendees at the meeting were:

  • Sadik Al-Hassan MP (Labour, North Somerset)
  • David Arnold (Director of Communications, Oral Health Foundation)
  • Lewis Atkinson MP (Labour, Sunderland Central)
  • Professor Avijit Banerjee FCGDent (Professor of Cariology & Operative Dentistry at King’s College London and Chair of the College’s Faculty of Dentists)
  • Jon Elliott (Head of Corporate Affairs for Northern Europe, Haleon)
  • Dr Kate Fabrikant FCGDent (Medical Affairs Director for Northern Europe, Haleon)
  • Dr Elizabeth Fisher (Programme Lead for Children and Young People’s, Nuffield Trust)
  • Dr Roshni Karia MCGDent (President of the College)
  • Professor Philip Preshaw (President, British Society of Periodontology)
  • Simon Thornton-Wood PhD (Chief Executive of the College)
  • Dr Jason Wong MBE FCGDent (Chief Dental Officer, NHS England)
  • Philip Worsfold (Head of Dental Public Health, Department of Health and Social Care)



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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Mentoring and coaching course for dental care professionals, part 1

Friday 21 November – Saturday 22 November 2025

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

Delivered online via Zoom

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

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

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

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

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

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

Course dates

FURTHER INFORMATION

Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter

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

College of General Dentistry Recent event

From disclosure to action: domestic abuse and the dental professional’s duty

Saturday 4 October 2025, 3.15pm-4.00pm, London

Preetee Hylton RDN

Dental Care Professionals Hub, Hall N7, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

This lecture was delivered by Preetee Hylton RDN, Associate Member of the College and President of the British Association of Dental Nurses.

A full-time dental nurse and safeguarding lead at a private dental practice in London, Preetee is an Associate Examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses and delivers the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice in Dental Nursing. A former receptionist, practice manager, lead dental nurse and clinical mentor to student dental nurses, she holds the NEBDN National Certificate in Dental Nursing, BDA Education Certificates in Oral Health and in Dental Radiography, a Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification and a Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, and in 2021 completed the DDS Treatment Coordinator Programme. A founding member and the former Study Club Co-Director of the ITI UK & Ireland Dental Nurses community, she is an honorary ambassador for the Mouth Cancer Foundation, a member of the editorial board of Dental Nursing, and a past contributor to the Primary Dental Journal.

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of two College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2025 (DSL25), a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures in 6 theatres, 180 exhibitors and 4,000 dental professionals.

College representatives were available throughout the conference at the CGDent exhibition stand (B29) to talk to delegates about our vision for the profession, the benefits of membership and fellowship, and to answer questions.

It was not possible to register for specific lectures in advance, but those wishing to attend should register for DSL25 either in advance or on the day. Registration was free for all registered dental professionals.

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