The College of General Dentistry, GC and The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation would like to congratulate the successful candidates in the 2026 CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees, and thank everyone who entered.
This year, all 14 winning entrants are dentists, who between them studied at eight different dental schools, and who are now completing their Dental Foundation Training or Dental Vocational Training through eight different deaneries across the UK.
Candidate name
Undergraduate qualification
Educational Supervisor(s)
Deanery
Dr Abdurahman Abdi
BDS Cardiff University 2025
Dr Sian Blackshaw
Wales
Dr Sahand Abolfathi
BDS University of Glasgow 2025
Dr Bushra Bashir
Scotland
Dr Mariam Ahmed
BDS Newcastle University 2025
Dr Rosie Johnston, Dr Heather Coventry
North East and Cumbria
Dr Xiaoyu Foo
BDS University of Dundee 2025
Dr Iain Bufton
Scotland
Dr Esha Gupta
BDS University of Plymouth 2025
Dr Saleem Mulla
Midlands
Dr Joshua Hurley
BDS King’s College London 2025
Dr Niloy Karia
London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Dr Anushka Kapour
BDS University of Plymouth 2025
Dr Deepa Shah, Dr Neil Shah
London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Dr Daniel Lekhi
BDS University of Birmingham 2025
Dr Brenda Macmillan, Dr Rebecca Hamilton
Thames Valley and Wessex
Dr Lance Lesterpearson
BDS University of Plymouth 2024
Dr Mohammed Faisal
London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Dr Aqil Matin
BDS University of Manchester 2025
Dr Emily McConnell
North West
Dr Imane Nagi
BDS University of Birmingham 2025
Dr Bharat Modhwadia
North West
Dr Priyanka Shah
BDS University of Dundee 2025
Dr Nava Darzi, Dr Hardeep Matharu
East of England
Dr Safa Shareef
BDS University of Manchester 2025
Dr Jemma Hook
North West
Dr Heba Turki
BDS Newcastle University 2025
Dr Neesha Chopra
North East and Cumbria
To enter, each participant submitted a restorative case which included at least one anterior tooth restored with composite. Cases entered involved a range of restorative treatments including those for midline diastema, dental trauma, tooth wear and peg shaped laterals. View all successful cases here.
A selection of successful cases which illustrate a range of different types of cases entered in the award. Cases submitted by (L-R) Esha Gupta,Xiaoyu Foo, and Lance Lesterpearson
The award, was open to dentists and dental therapists who graduated in 2025 in the UK and Ireland or who were undergoing Dental Foundation Training, Dental Vocational Training or Joint Dental Foundation Core Training. Entries were received from practitioners from both eligible dental constituencies around the country.
The assessment panel, which comprised Trustees of The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and senior members of the College, scored each case based on a set of assessment criteria which allocated points to overall improvement in the patient’s oral health (including periodontal health), the standard of aesthetic treatment, the complexity of the case and the quality of the entrant’s reflection.
The successful candidates are each awarded a funded place on a two-day composite layering course which is taking place on 23-24 July at GC’s European Education Campus in Leuven, Belgium. The prize includes international travel and hotel costs and is worth around £1,400 per place.
Shreya Sharma (pictured above left), a winner of last year’s award, described how simply entering the award provided a valuable learning opportunity, “It was a thoroughly rewarding experience, regardless of the outcome I learned a lot about composites by taking part and preparing my case.” Another 2025 winner, Cara Marcuccilli, said, “I’ve learned so much about layering techniques for composite, the different materials we were given the opportunity to use, as well as clinical indications for each technique we practised.”
To register your interest in next year’s award and receive notifications as soon as the competition opens in September, visit our award page.
Dr Choudhury Rahman, Associate Member,andDr Francisco Casserley FCGDent, discuss why informed patient consent and accurate record‑keeping are essential, and share their practical advice on the key points early career clinicians should consider.
Choudhury RahmanFrancisco Casserley
Something which worries many new dentists is the issue of litigation. We all dread that moment we get an email or a letter about a patient who is unhappy with something which we have done, or is wishing to make a complaint. One of the ways we can help ourselves is by ensuring we have really good consent, and clear record-keeping. Both of these things go hand-in-hand, and in this blog we will discuss how we can ensure we are protecting ourselves well.
Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive guide to consent or record-keeping, but suggestions based on personal experience. We would recommend referring to the CGDent guidance on Clinical Examination and Record-Keeping, or undertaking CPD to ensure you gain a good understanding of best practice in consent and record-keeping.
GDC principles and putting patients first
As undergraduates we will have spent a lot of time learning and understanding the GDC Principles. Many of these link together, especially back to principle 1 which is to “Put patients’ interests first”. This should be at the centre of everything we do and ties strongly into principle 3, “Obtain valid consent”.
What informed consent really means
Consent is not just asking the patient what they want to do, but it’s giving them all the possible options for treatment so that they are able to make an informed decision. Some of these options may be things you can’t undertake, for example, a tricky root canal treatment (RCT), a difficult extraction, crown lengthening to improve restorability, or even implants. The possibility of alternative options out of your scope, including private options, should be given to every patient. You shouldn’t let any pre-conceptions about the patient stop you from giving those options. Whether the patient goes ahead with any of those, is up to them, but you need to document clearly all the options you have given, along with what the patient has decided to do.
We’ve also seen many colleagues worry over giving the patient a recommendation of treatment. However, in Principle 3.1.3, the GDC says that it is fine to give your patient “your recommended option”. As long as the recommendation is clinically reasonable, it will always be appropriate to give them a recommendation based on your opinion and clinical scenario. Many patients also value your expertise and experience and will be happy to go with your advice.
Discussing risks, benefits and alternatives
It’s very important to discuss all risks and benefits with patients for each option of treatment so the decision they make can be informed. You need to have this discussion recorded in your notes with all the risks and benefits given. For example, if you have a particularly tough extraction for an upper molar which is close to the sinus, you need to advise the patient there is a risk of pain, bleeding, bruising and swelling. You would also need to advise there is a risk of tooth fracture, oroantral communication (OAC), damage to adjacent teeth and tuberosity fracture (if it’s an 8). We’d suggest also warning your patient that if a fracture occurs, they may need to be referred to see someone else to have any remaining bits of tooth taken out. If there was a particularly high risk of OAC, you may want to offer the patient the option to be referred for an extraction, so that if an OAC occurs, it can be repaired straight away. The reason to refer due to the higher OAC risk needs to be specified. The patient may be in pain, for example, and happy to accept this increased risk, but you need to make that option clear to the patient. This issue was highlighted in an article by the Dental Defence Union (the DDU).
Montgomery 2015 and material risk
Continuing on with specific risks to your patient, you need to have a good understanding of Montgomery 2015 and informed consent. This relates to the matter of “whether the information given to a patient is adequate, is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person in the patient’s position” and that “patients are aware of ‘material risks’” (MDU, 2024). We would recommend reading into the case and the issues that were raised, but to explain this simply for us as dental professionals, if there is an issue specific to the patient, and there is a risk with a procedure which can have particular consequences to them, it needs to be explained clearly to them.
For example, if you had a patient who was a chef, and taste is very important in their job, you may wish to warn them of the risk of lingual nerve injury from an inferior alveolar block. You should warn that this risk may result in temporary or permanent changes in their taste. With this risk in mind, you and the patient may decide on alternative ways to achieve analgesia for a dental procedure. This is only one example of the thought process you need to have when consenting a patient to treatment.
The importance of contemporaneous clinical notes
We all hate spending much of our time writing clinical notes, but there are many small details we have seen people miss. As mentioned in GDC Principle 4.1, “you must make and keep contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records”. You need to ensure whoever is present in the room is recorded. This is particularly important in relation to paediatric patients in case safeguarding issues are being investigated. Any presenting complaints (PC) must be documented, along with the history of presenting complaint (HPC). These must be recorded in the patient’s own words. For example, if the patient says “I feel like ripping my tooth out”, put that in your notes in quotations. This could be important as it gives an idea of the kind of pain a patient might be in.
You should ensure you have clear notes of the patient’s medical history, social history (smoking and alcohol), dental history along with oral hygiene routine, findings in your exam/assessment, intra and extra oral findings, a comment on the oral hygiene, any special investigations taken with their findings including BPE, sensibility/TTP, Radiographs etc, risks level for caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer and tooth wear. You also need to record all your diagnoses (especially for periodontal disease with staging, grading and risk factors) along with treatment options and discussions. It is also great if you can take pre- and post-op photos of your work, or problems the patient is attending with, as this can show how the patient has presented to you – this a form of evidence which is indisputable if there are issues afterwards or concerns about the care you have provided. Top tip – make sure your camera’s date and time settings are correct before taking the photos. Find out about how to pick a good camera set up in the blog ‘How to get the most out of Foundation Training and make the right investments’
Templates can be a great tool, especially when you are seeing many patients. They can help ensure you do not miss anything during your appointments, and you’ll find many of the discussions you have will be the same with a lot of patients, so having quick notes will save you from typing out the same discussion for multiple patients. However, you need to be very careful with how you use these. If you were to be investigated for whatever reason, blank or unfilled areas in your notes would not look very good, and if you have not edited notes to make them specific to each patient’s risks, this could mean some parts of your conversation with the patient may not be there to defend you.
Poor records = poor defence
Something I remember being told when I started working has always stuck with me – Poor records = poor defence. No records = no defence. If you have not written in your clinical notes something you have said, it is essentially assumed the conversation never happened. If you find yourself in the court of law with litigation issues, the only thing there will be to defend you is your clinical notes, or lack thereof, if you are not doing them well.
Further learning
We would really recommend doing some more research and CPD on consent and record-keeping. For good practice guidance, go to the CGDent guidance ‘Clinical Examination and Record-Keeping’ and we’d also recommend the indemnity websites where they discuss cases and there is a lot to be learnt from them.
Authors’ bio
“I Graduated from the University of Manchester in 2023, completed my FD Training in the Greater Manchester North Scheme and am now an Associate Dentist in Greater Manchester. I’m also a NextGen Ambassador for the College of General Dentistry. My clinical interests include Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. I am currently undertaking a Masters in Prosthodontics at UCLAN and have interests in Implants and also dental education. Outside of work, I enjoy running and 5-a-side football.”
Dr Choudhury Rahman, Associate Member of the College
“I graduated from the University of Manchester in 2005 and am currently an Educational Supervisor in Greater Manchester North Scheme, as well as an expert witness. I spend most of my time carrying out general dentistry, alongside placing implants and running two NHS dental practices. Outside work I enjoy spending time with my two boys and I am also an avid Manchester United fan”
The Introduction to Occlusion Symposium, which took place in London and Edinburgh last year, is heading to Manchester on Saturday 24 October 2026. Registration is now open and an early bird discount is available until 26 May.
Introduction to Occlusion Symposium, London and Edinburgh
The aim of the event, which has been organised by the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation in conjunction with the College, is to elevate delegates’ knowledge of the fundamental principles of occlusion and how they can support the placement of successful, long-term restorations for patients presenting with tooth wear and other conditions. It is designed for early career dental professionals but all dental professionals are welcome to attend.
Members of the College are asked to share details of the symposium with friends and colleagues who may wish to attend.
The programme will be delivered by the panel of six renowned speakers who impressed delegates at the symposia in London and Edinburgh.
The day will commence with a lecture by Dr Bereznicki, who will use real failure cases to illustrate what can happen if a patient’s occlusion is not assessed and treated.
Symposium speakers l-r: Dr Shiraz Khan, Dr Ken Harris, Prof Paul Tipton, Dr Tom Bereznicki, Dr Koray Feran, Dr Tif Qureshi
Alongside the programme of lectures, delegates who wish to develop their knowledge of occlusion further can visit a hand-picked selection of education stands to learn more about leading postgraduate courses available in this field.
The fees have been set to ensure the symposium is accessible to all dental professionals. A limited number of free places are available to students who graduate after 2026. For early career practitioners who qualified between 2021 and 2026, the fee is £90.
For all other dental professionals, the early bird rate is £175 and is available until midnight on Tuesday 26 May. The full fee of £225 will then be available. Fees include refreshments throughout the day, a two-course lunch and 6 hours of verifiable CPD.
You can find further information and secure your early bird place by clicking the button below.
The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, in collaboration with the College, offers a range of clinical skills competitions and events for early career practitioners. Two competitions are currently open for entries:
Tom Bereznicki Award for Tooth Wear Cases – open until Monday 10 August 2026 – 20 winners will each be awarded a fully funded place on an injection moulding course.
The College has partnered with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and GC to develop a new tooth wear award for early career dentists.
The Tom Bereznicki Award for Tooth Wear Cases recognises restorative and aesthetic dentistry skills and patient care and is open to dentists who qualified between 2020 to 2024 and practise in the UK or Ireland.
College members are urged to share the details with eligible colleagues.
Up to 20 successful candidates will each receive a fully funded place on a bespoke, hands-on injection moulding course which takes place on Saturday 5 December 2026. The prize, worth around £1,000, includes the cost of travel to GC’s UK training facilities, as well as hotel accommodation and subsistence.
The composite injection moulding technique course, created solely for the award by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent and Dr Chris Leech FCGDent, has been designed specifically for early career dentists and is not available commercially.
Delivered through theory, demonstrations and comprehensive hands-on sessions, the course aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills required to plan, execute, and maintain predictable composite injection moulding cases for aesthetic and restorative dentistry.
To enter, candidates must submit pre-op photographs of a tooth wear case they are about to start treating and upload a final case report when treatment is complete. The case must involve at least four anterior teeth, and the use of composite to restore teeth, either manually by hand or by the injection moulding technique. Full case eligibility guidance is outlined on the Award web page.
The inaugural award is now open and the deadline to enter the competition with pre-op photographs is Monday 10 August 2026. Entrants have until Monday 19 October to complete the treatment and submit their final case. The successful candidates will be announced in November and the injection moulding course will take place on Saturday 5 December 2026. The number of award entries has been capped at 100, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Announcing the new award, Dr Roshni Karia MCGDent, President of the College of General Dentistry, said:
“I am delighted that the College is further extending its collaboration with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation through our new tooth wear award. The award provides a valuable opportunity for newly qualified practitioners to develop their knowledge and skills, and progress their careers in dentistry.”
Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, Chair of the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, added:
“Successfully and efficiently treating common tooth wear cases using the injection moulding technique is a vital skill for early career colleagues to master – it is more predictable, quicker and provides a more aesthetic result than building up manually. So, I am thrilled that our new award will provide high-quality training in injection moulding for up to 20 successful candidates.”
John Maloney, GC Director and Country Manager for the UK, Ireland and South Africa, commented:
“Providing the highest quality training to the dental profession is core to our mission and we are honoured to facilitate the clinical development of early career colleagues through this exciting new award.”
Click the button below for further information about the award, links to guidance for entrants and the entry form.
Eligible candidates for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Tooth Wear Cases may also enter the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, which is open until Monday 8 June 2026 and provides each winner with a fully funded place on a digital dentistry course. Separate cases must be entered into each competition.
Dr Shreya Sharma, an Associate Dentist based in Hampshire, was successful in the 2025 CGDent-GC Award. In this blog, she describes how her reflective practice, a key part of the award entry process, supports her professional development.
Dentistry is a profession defined by lifelong learning. No two cases are ever quite the same and with every patient comes an opportunity to refine our judgement, technique and communication. But true growth doesn’t just come from experience, it comes from reflection.
At university, feedback is constant. Every procedure is supervised, every decision discussed. Once qualified, that safety net disappears and suddenly, we’re left to evaluate our own work. For me, reflection has become a way to recreate that feedback loop, to stay accountable and to keep improving.
I realised this most clearly while preparing my case for the CGDent-GC Award for Foundation Trainees. The award places a strong emphasis on reflective practice, with a significant portion of the assessment criteria dedicated to it. Knowing this encouraged me to slow down, document carefully and truly understand the reasoning behind each decision. That’s where the most meaningful learning happened.
What it means to reflect and why it matters
Reflection isn’t just a tick-box exercise for an e-portfolio. It’s an honest look at your own decision-making: why something worked, what could have gone better and how you’ll approach it differently next time.
During my award case, analysing my own work, even small details like line angles, surface texture and the polish of restorations, helped me understand why they mattered and how they influenced the overall outcome.
One example was restoring the fractured UR1 to match the adjacent UL1 crown. I found the process far more challenging than expected, particularly when trying to recreate the same lustre and the way the light reflected off the crowned tooth. Even achieving the correct width proved difficult.
My successful case: pre-op and post-op photographs
To guide the restoration, I used a measuring gauge to record the width of the UL1 and mirrored those measurements for the UR1. Despite this, the restored UR1 still appeared wider than the crown I was trying to mimic. It was only through reviewing my clinical photographs that I realised the issue was not with the measurements, but with the line angles.
The position and width of the line angles dramatically affect how we perceive tooth shape. My initial line angles were placed too far apart, which made the tooth look flat, dull, and visually broader than it truly was. By adjusting their position and narrowing the distance between them, the restoration immediately appeared more natural and better harmonised with the adjacent central.
This experience highlighted how subtle morphological details can completely change the final aesthetic and how essential reflective practice and clinical photography are in developing that level of awareness.
As clinicians, we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards. Reflection helps balance that drive for excellence with curiosity. It allows us to pause, recognise small wins and identify where to grow next. It transforms experience into understanding and uncertainty into progress.
The value of photography and case write-ups
Clinical photography has completely transformed the way I learn. It’s more than documentation, it’s a mirror that reveals what we might miss in the moment: a defective margin, a shade that could blend better or an open contact point. Reviewing those photographs later helps me see patterns and improvements in my work that are often invisible day-to-day.
A significant part of the CGDent-GC Award involves presenting clinical photographs that meet a high aesthetic and technical standard. Working towards this pushed me to refine my photography skills, pay closer attention to detail and critically assess the quality of my own work. Striving to meet that standard ultimately strengthened both my clinical outcomes and my ability to communicate them clearly.
Over time, these images have become a visual record of progress. They remind me that growth in dentistry rarely happens overnight, it builds with one small improvement at a time.
Case write-ups add another dimension to this process. Writing forces you to think through every stage of treatment, to justify your reasoning, material selection and workflow. While preparing my award case, I found myself analysing each choice, from composite selection to polishing technique. Putting those thoughts into words made my clinical reasoning clearer and my approach more deliberate.
Together, photography, writing and reflection drive ongoing development.
How the CGDent-GC Award nurtures reflection and growth
Entering the CGDent-GC Award deepened my appreciation of reflection. It wasn’t just a competition, it was a structured opportunity for learning.
Selecting a case
The process begins with choosing a case that you are about to start treating. Part of the competition is recognising, early on, that a forthcoming case has potential to showcase your skills and be developed into a strong entry. This shift in mindset encourages reflection from the very beginning: What might make this case a good learning opportunity? What challenges could it present?
It’s not about selecting a “perfect” patient or predicting a flawless outcome. Instead, it’s about identifying a case with learning value and approaching it intentionally, with the aim of documenting your decision-making and growth throughout the process.
Documenting the process
Clinical photography was essential here. Each image encourages you to pause, assess, and understand the nuances of your work. The lens doesn’t lie, it reveals subtleties that might otherwise go unnoticed, and the camera, in many ways became my most objective teacher.
Writing the case report
This was the most introspective stage for me. Writing about my case helped me connect my clinical decisions with their outcomes. It gave structure to what I had previously done instinctively and turned my learning into something tangible.
Winning the award
Winning the award was a huge honour, but the greatest reward was the insight gained along the way. Reflecting on my work, documenting the process and sharing it with others renewed my perspective on dentistry, something that’s easy to lose in the rhythm of daily practice.
Beyond the competition
The impact didn’t end when the results were announced. The experience continues to shape how I practice today. I take more photographs, analyse my outcomes more critically, and make time to reflect regularly. The competition gave me a framework for self-assessment and helped turn reflection from something occasional into something routine.
As part of the prize, I attended a two-day composite course in Belgium, where we learned advanced layering techniques and approaches to restoring fractured and discoloured teeth. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from experienced clinicians, refine my practical skills and connect with like-minded individuals.
On GC’s composite layering course in Belgium, July 2025
Competitions like the CGDent-GC Award (and the Advanced Aesthetic Award for more experienced clinicians) don’t just celebrate clinical skill, they nurture the habits that make us better dentists. They remind us that growth isn’t measured by accolades, but by how much we learn from every case, every challenge, and every uncertainty.
How reflection builds confidence
Confidence doesn’t come from avoiding mistakes, it comes from understanding them.
During my award case, I had plenty of moments of uncertainty: shade selection, matrix placement, polishing protocol. At the time, those doubts felt like signs of inexperience. But revisiting them afterwards showed me that those questions were actually the foundation of growth. Each hesitation led to research, feedback and ultimately, better results.
That shift, from fearing mistakes to learning from them, has been one of the most empowering parts of early-career dentistry. Reflection has taught me to value curiosity over perfection and progress over pressure.
Closing thoughts
Reflection turns experience into understanding and everyday dentistry into a journey of lifelong learning.
For me, it has made my clinical work more intentional, my patient care more consistent, and my growth as a dentist more measurable. Dentistry evolves not only through skill, but through self-awareness. Every case, every success and every setback, has something to teach us, if we just take the time to look.
Dentists and dental therapists who qualified in 2025 or are enrolled on DFT are eligible to enter the 2026 CGDent-GC Award – entries are open until Friday 20 February 2026.
Dentsply Sirona Academy, Building 3, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY
The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course, which combines theory, demonstrations and hands-on experience, has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki and Dr Chris Leech specifically for early career dentists with limited or no experience of practising within a digital workflow. It provides a comprehensive introduction to digital dentistry techniques, and how harnessing them can enhance your aesthetic practice and patient care.
The two-day course will include hands-on elements of learning, with additional theory and material science modules delivered through pre-course videos.
The course will take you step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, from scanning to cementation, and provisionally includes:
Presentations on digital dentistry and digital dentures
Short demonstrations followed by hands-on experience of:
Scanning each other
Scanning a preparation of a restoration on a pre-prepared model
Using software to design your final restoration
Demonstration of programming and milling processes
Adjustment and polishing techniques using pre-milled crowns that fit the model
Dr Chris Leech FCGDentDr Bal SohalDr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent
Dr Chris Leech BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent
A graduate of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Leech is a partner in a private dental practice and President-Elect of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for which he is now an examiner. He was also the first dentist to be awarded the Membership for Advanced General Dental Surgery by RCS Edinburgh and is a Fellow of its Faculty of Dental Surgery. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry.
Dr Bal Sohal BDS (Kings) Hons
Dr Sohal is a cosmetic dentist who has showcased his work in presentations in the UK and US. He is experienced in the use of digital workflows, in particular for restoring single unit restorations and aesthetic multi-unit veneers, crowns and onlays. He graduated BDS from King’s College London in 2018, where he was undergraduate president of the dental society and was awarded the Guy’s Full Shield, awards from the Richard Dickinson USA Trust Fund and King’s Opportunity Fund, the Gold Star Award and the Jelf Medal for the most distinguished undergraduate.
Dr Tom Bereznicki BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng
After graduating from Edinburgh, Dr Bereznicki worked as a house surgeon at Guy’s and The Royal Dental Hospitals before entering general dental practice, in which he has over 40 years’ experience. With a special interest in restorative dentistry, in particular occlusion and emergence profile, he was also a visiting clinical specialist teacher at King’s College London Dental Institute and later joined the teaching faculty for the university’s MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. In 2018, he joined the Academy of Dental Excellence as a senior specialist teacher, and in 2021 became a partner associate lecturer for the University of Portsmouth’s Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. In 2023, he founded the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation which supports educational opportunities for early career dental professionals. A former member of the FGDP and Founder Member of CGDent, he has been a Fellow of the College since 2022 and is a member of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a regional speaker on occlusion for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Attending the course
The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course has been created solely for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, which is open to dentists who qualified between 2020 to 2024 and who practise in the UK or within the European Union. Successful candidates will each be awarded a fully funded place on one of two course dates, and hotel accommodation, UK travel and subsistence will also be covered.
To enter, eligible dentists must submit an aesthetic case they plan to treat with a mainly analogue workflow, which involves more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth.
Dentsply Sirona Academy, Building 3, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY
The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course, which combines theory, demonstrations and hands-on experience, has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki and Dr Chris Leech specifically for early career dentists with limited or no experience of practising within a digital workflow. It provides a comprehensive introduction to digital dentistry techniques, and how harnessing them can enhance your aesthetic practice and patient care.
The two-day course will include hands-on elements of learning, demos and lectures with additional theory and material science modules delivered through pre-course videos.
The course will take you step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, from scanning to cementation, and provisionally includes:
Presentations on digital dentistry and digital dentures
Short demonstrations followed by hands-on experience of:
Scanning each other
Scanning a preparation of a restoration on a pre-prepared model
Using software to design your final restoration
Demonstration of programming and milling processes
Adjustment and polishing techniques using pre-milled crowns that fit the model
Dr Chris Leech FCGDentDr Bal SohalDr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent
Dr Chris Leech BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent
A graduate of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Leech is a partner in a private dental practice and President-Elect of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for which he is now an examiner. He was also the first dentist to be awarded the Membership for Advanced General Dental Surgery by RCS Edinburgh and is a Fellow of its Faculty of Dental Surgery. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry.
Dr Bal Sohal BDS (Kings) Hons
Dr Sohal is a cosmetic dentist who has showcased his work in presentations in the UK and US. He is experienced in the use of digital workflows, in particular for restoring single unit restorations and aesthetic multi-unit veneers, crowns and onlays. He graduated BDS from King’s College London in 2018, where he was undergraduate president of the dental society and was awarded the Guy’s Full Shield, awards from the Richard Dickinson USA Trust Fund and King’s Opportunity Fund, the Gold Star Award and the Jelf Medal for the most distinguished undergraduate.
Dr Tom Bereznicki BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng
After graduating from Edinburgh, Dr Bereznicki worked as a house surgeon at Guy’s and The Royal Dental Hospitals before entering general dental practice, in which he has over 40 years’ experience. With a special interest in restorative dentistry, in particular occlusion and emergence profile, he was also a visiting clinical specialist teacher at King’s College London Dental Institute and later joined the teaching faculty for the university’s MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. In 2018, he joined the Academy of Dental Excellence as a senior specialist teacher, and in 2021 became a partner associate lecturer for the University of Portsmouth’s Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. In 2023, he founded the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation which supports educational opportunities for early career dental professionals. A former member of the FGDP and Founder Member of CGDent, he has been a Fellow of the College since 2022 and is a member of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a regional speaker on occlusion for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Attending the course
The Introduction to Digital Dentistry course has been created solely for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, which is open to dentists who qualified between 2020 to 2024 and who practise in the UK or within the European Union. Successful candidates will each be awarded a fully funded place on one of two course dates, and hotel accommodation, UK travel and subsistence will also be covered.
To enter, eligible dentists must submit an aesthetic case they plan to treat with a mainly analogue workflow, which involves more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth.
Successful candidates on the Introduction to Digital Dentistry course in November 2025
Following a successful inaugural year, and an expansion to the award’s eligibility criteria, the 2026 award is open to dentists who qualified between 2020 and 2024 in the UK or within the European Union (EU), and who practise in the UK or the EU. Entrants must submit an aesthetic case they are about to start treating which involves more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth. It must also mainly follow an analogue workflow.
There are 23 winning places available, with each successful candidate receiving a fully-funded place on a hands-on, two-day digital dentistry course at the Dentsply Sirona training facility in Surrey. The prize is worth around £2,000 per place and includes the costs of UK travel, hotel accommodation and subsistence.
Successful candidates in the inaugural competition took part in the tailor-made digital dentistry course, which is not available commercially, in November 2025. Led by Dr Chris Leech FCGDent and Dr Bal Sohal, participants were guided step-by-step through the complete process of creating a digitally produced crown, including the science behind material choice.
One participant described the course as “an incredible introduction into the future of dentistry” and another said they “had no expectations upon attending the Introduction to Digital Dentistry Course but I have got out far more than I could have imagined. I now feel a lot clearer on how to progress and elevate my clinical skills moving forward.“
The 2026 award is now open, the closing date for entry is Monday 20 July 2026* and final cases must be submitted by Monday 16 November 2026. The winners will be announced in December, and their course, which is repeated on two separate dates, will take place on Friday-Saturday 29-30 January 2027 and Friday-Saturday 12-13 February 2027.
The Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry is funded by The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and organised in conjunction with the College of General Dentistry and Dentsply Sirona. The Foundation supports educational opportunities for early career dentists, and was founded by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, a general dental practitioner with a special interest in restorative dentistry. Dentsply Sirona is a global company that designs and manufactures leading-edge dental products, enabling enhanced patient care through the adoption of a digital workflow.
Click the button below for further information about the award and links to guidance for entrants and the entry form.
The College is collaborating with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, and other partners, to deliver a range of educational opportunities for early career dental professionals.
CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees Dentists and dental therapists who qualified in 2025 or are enrolled on DFT are eligible to enter the CGDent-GC Award 2026, to win fully funded composite layering training in Belgium. Full details and entry form.
Funded places on this course are reserved for successful candidates in the Tom Bereznicki Award for Tooth Wear Cases. It is not possible to register on this course separately.
GC UK training facility, Buckinghamshire
The Composite Injection Moulding Technique course, which combines theory, demonstrations and hands-on experience, has been designed by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent and Dr Chris Leech FCGDent for early career dentists. It aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to deliver successful composite restorations using the injection moulding technique.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Select appropriate cases
Identify ideal indications and contraindications for composite injection moulding
Assess occlusion, wear patterns, and patient expectations
Apply a structured approach to case planning and consent
Plan & design predictable outcomes
Understand the role of diagnostic wax-ups and digital planning
Translate aesthetic principles into functional restorative designs
Fabricate accurate stents
Select appropriate materials for stent construction
Produce precise, well-fitting stents to ensure predictable composite flow
Avoid common errors that compromise outcomes
Execute the Injection Moulding Technique
Follow a step-by-step clinical workflow
Achieve predictable composite placement with minimal finishing required
Manage isolation, bonding protocols, and composite handling
Refine & finish restorations
Perform efficient finishing and polishing protocols
Optimise occlusion and surface anatomy
Achieve high-end aesthetic outcomes with longevity in mind
Deliver long-term success
Implement maintenance protocols and review strategies
Identify and manage complications or failures
Communicate effectively with patients regarding longevity and expectations
Approx 6 CPD hours. GDC Development Outcomes: C
Refreshments and lunch are provided. The course accommodates 20 participants.
Course leaders
Dr Chris Leech FCGDentDr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent
Dr Chris Leech BDS, MAGDS RCS (Ed), MFDS RCPS (Glasg), Dip Imp Dent RCS (Ed), FDS RCS (Ed), FCGDent
A graduate of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Leech is a partner in a private dental practice and the Scientific Director of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, for which he is now an examiner. He was also the first dentist to be awarded the Membership for Advanced General Dental Surgery by RCS Edinburgh and is a Fellow of its Faculty of Dental Surgery. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry.
Dr Tom Bereznicki BDS (Edin), FDS RCS (Ed), MFDTEd, FCGDent, MFDSEng
After graduating from Edinburgh, Dr Bereznicki worked as a house surgeon at Guy’s and The Royal Dental Hospitals before entering general dental practice, in which he has over 40 years’ experience. With a special interest in restorative dentistry, in particular occlusion and emergence profile, he was also a visiting clinical specialist teacher at King’s College London Dental Institute and later joined the teaching faculty for the university’s MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. In 2018, he joined the Academy of Dental Excellence as a senior specialist teacher, and in 2021 became a partner associate lecturer for the University of Portsmouth’s Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry. In 2023, he founded the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation which supports educational opportunities for early career dental professionals. A former member of the FGDP and Founder Member of CGDent, he has been a Fellow of the College since 2022 and is a member of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a regional speaker on occlusion for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Attending the course
The Composite Injection Moulding Technique course has been created solely for the Tom Bereznicki Award for Tooth Wear Cases, which is open to dentists who qualified between 2020 to 2024 and who practise in the UK. Successful candidates will each be awarded a fully funded place on the course, and hotel accommodation, travel and subsistence will also be covered.
To enter, eligible dentists must submit an tooth wear case they plan to treat, which involves at least four anterior teeth, and the use of composite applied by hand or by injection moulding.
The College of General Dentistry, Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and Dentsply Sirona would like to congratulate the successful candidates of the inaugural Tom Bereznicki Award for Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry.
The competition, which recognises aesthetic dentistry skills and patient care, was open to dentists who qualified in the UK or Ireland between 2019 and 2023, or who qualified overseas between 2019 to 2023 and had been practising in the UK for at least the two years.
The 19 winning entrants are:
Dr Cordelia Ashby
Dr Milton Justinsuthakaran
Dr Golasa Sheikh Akbari
Dr Alastair Campbell
Dr Nafeesa Khan
Dr Arav Soin
Dr Nathaniel-Edouard Davidson
Dr Adam Kingsley
Dr Mojgan Talibi
Dr Farah Elnaqa
Dr Emily Lawton
Dr Nickhalas Tan Chun Khye
Dr Puyan Heydari
Dr Ronan Lee
Dr Jarmima Uddin
Dr Victoria Hillson
Dr Tendai Manangazira
Dr Abida Islam
Dr Parth Patel
To enter the award, participants each submitted an aesthetic case which involved more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and the use of composite to restore teeth. Cases also followed a mainly analogue workflow. Cases entered featured a range of restorative treatments including those for diastema,severe tooth wear, and peg shaped laterals. View all successful cases here.
A selection of the winning cases which illustrate a range of different types of cases entered in the competition. Cases submitted by (L-R): Dr Nafeesa Khan, Dr Mojgan Talibi, Dr Cordelia Ashby
The assessors scored each case based on a set of assessment criteria which allocated points to overall improvement in the patient’s oral health, the standard of aesthetic treatment, the complexity of the case and the quality of the entrant’s reflection.
The successful candidates will each receive a fully funded place on a bespoke, hands-on two-day digital dentistry course next month at the Dentsply Sirona Academy in Weybridge, Surrey. Travel costs, hotel accommodation and subsistence are included in the prize, which is worth around £2,000 per place.
Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies.
Dr Bereznicki commented:
“I would like to thank everyone who entered our first competition for early career dentists, and congratulate the successful candidates. We were impressed by the high standard of entries we received as well as the interesting and wide variety of aesthetic cases. I am sure the winners, and their patients, will all benefit immensely from the intensive hands-on course on Digital Dentistry, which has been generously supported by Dentsply Sirona.”
Further details about the award are available on the award web page. To register your interest in next year’s award and receive a notification as soon as the competition opens, sign up to our notification list.
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