From dental nursing to senior academic in dentistry: a personal career journey

Dr Louise Belfield AssocFCGDent is the College Council‘s Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy Representative and Chair of the College’s Research Advisory Panel. The first dental nurse in the UK to achieve a PhD, here she reflects on the key moments, influences and lessons from her career to date.

My career in dentistry started at the age of 17 with an apprenticeship in Dental Technology. I worked as a trainee Dental Technician for 18 months and developed skills in crown and bridge work. During this time, I wondered with increasing frequency about the patients we were making prostheses for and decided to apply for a patient-facing role as a Dental Nurse. I trained in a small mixed NHS and private practice, and in 2003 gained my National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) Certificate in Dental Nursing. I was fortunate to work with a supportive team, and I was proactively included in continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The critical CPD event that changed the trajectory of my career in dentistry was a session exploring the links between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and how the oral microbiome might connect them. This sparked my curiosity and drive to find answers. What might this mean for our patients? What might we be able to advise if we knew more about it? The only path forward that I could see was to embark on scientific training at university.

The decision to leave my practice and enrol on a university degree was a difficult one because I was very happy where I was, and I enjoyed Dental Nursing. As I had gone straight into apprenticeship after leaving school, I chose a BSc in Human Biosciences university course which included a “Year Zero” to cover the prerequisite scientific knowledge in lieu of traditional A-levels. Throughout the university course I continued practising as a dental nurse, working as bank staff for a local hospital trust. This provided invaluable experience and kept me clinically active in the profession. I worked across a range of settings, including domiciliary care, school visits, emergency clinics, dental access centres, special care dentistry, and even on a mobile dental surgery van. I also worked at an emergency out-of-hours weekend service, and in a private practice which I fitted in around my lectures.

It became apparent to me through the course of my studies that it was the immune system that was the pivotal link between periodontal and systemic diseases, and in the final year of my degree course I focused my studies on the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, and how it interacts with immune cells. This formed the basis of my further studies leading to a PhD, investigating how these immune cells behave in response to P. gingivalis when they are involved with oral cancer or chronic inflammation. As is often the case at the end of a PhD, there were many new questions formulating and I knew I wanted to continue to investigate these relationships further to answer some of these questions.

Career in dental research and education

At the end of my doctoral studies, an academic position became available and I was appointed as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in 2013. This has enabled me to explore both the scientific and educational facets required in an academic career, and I have been able to establish research in both of these areas. My scientific research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, and I have been fortunate to work on multiple projects, including development of three-dimensional oral mucosa models, association of subgingival lipid A profiles with periodontal disease status,1,2 and in 2019 I received the Colgate Robin Davies Dental Care Professional Research Award from the Oral and Dental Research Trust (ODRT), for a project investigating modulation of osteoclast differentiation and activity by endotoxin tolerance. This Dental Care Professional (DCP) specific award was instrumental in developing an independent research career and I remain grateful to the ODRT for the opportunity.

Subsequently, working together with two colleagues at the University of Plymouth, we established the Oral Microbiome Research Group, where we run clinical and translational research investigating links between human health and disease, and oral bacteria. Two current clinical studies link the oral microbiome with pre-eclampsia, and formation of cerebral abscesses.3 Our research also explores how modifying the oral microbiome can be detrimental to maintaining oral and physiological health mechanisms; a study using chlorhexidine mouthwash to disrupt the normal microbiome found that a decreased diversity of species was associated with a decreased salivary pH buffering capacity, increased lactate and glucose levels, and reduced availability of nitrate and nitrite, with an associated increase in systolic blood pressure.4

Alongside my scientific research, I have also been able to develop scholarly activity, with a focus on inter- and intra-professional education, particularly relating to assessments and standard setting in multi-cohort programmes.5,6 Having come into higher education via a non-standard route, an area I have been particularly keen to invest in is access and participation, and a significant part of my academic role has been to develop a Foundation (Year Zero) entry pathway for the BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene programme at Peninsula, with the specific focus on Dental Nurses, who make up the majority of our cohort. This Foundation pathway has been running successfully now for three years, and we will welcome our first cohort of BDS year zero students in September 2023, specifically designed to enable fairer access to dental education for local, South West students with non-traditional entry backgrounds.

Engagement with the professional community

I remain actively engaged with the Dental Nursing community through a number of external roles; I uphold my registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), and I am a trustee for the NEBDN, where I also chair the Education Standards Committee. In 2020, I was appointed as a Dental Clinical Fellow with Health Education England, which continues to afford me an insight into NHS dentistry, service commissioning, workforce challenges, DCP skill mix, and training needs, in line with the Dental Education Reform Programme.7 I am also a representative for Dental Nursing on the Council of the College of General Dentistry (CGDent), and with a dedicated and experienced team, we are working to establish the first Faculty of Dental Nursing. I am also grateful to the College for the opportunity to chair the Research Advisory Panel, espousing the message that research is open to all dental professionals.

Key learning points and recommendations

Instrumental in my career have been support and encouragement from those I work with, and seizing opportunities despite the frequent imposter syndrome! While by no means perfect, there tends to be more clarity in the pathway to an academic career for dentists, which is lacking for other dental professionals, which means it can be extra challenging to carve your own route. Promisingly, I come across more and more outstanding DCPs in academic positions and I hope this will continue. This is one of the reasons I am excited about the CGDent Career Pathways in Dentistry: Professional Framework and the establishment of the faculties, and to promote the CGDent vision to make research opportunities accessible for all members of the dental team, to pro-actively support Dental Nurses and all team members to excel in their profession to their fullest potential.

The skills and experience I accrued as a Dental Nurse helped me to progress in other areas, including academia and research; working as a bank dental nurse had its challenges, arriving each morning to a new practice, with different staff, surgery set-ups and protocols was difficult at times, but I learned to be adaptable, and to think on my feet. Communication and team working skills were vital; and I was privileged to work with a variety of patients with their own range of perspectives and experiences and I learned a lot from them. Finally, working in a high-pressure environment, developing effective time management was crucial to being a competent Dental Nurse and these skills have also served me well in academia. I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone with an interest in research or an academic career to pursue that, to reach out to potential mentors or advisors for guidance, and to explore the CGDent Career Pathways frameworks, as well as membership of the College and its Faculties.

References

1. McIlwaine C, Strachan A, Harrington Z, et al. Comparative analysis of total salivary lipopolysaccharide chemical and biological properties with periodontal status. Arch Oral Biol. 2019;110:104633.

2. Strachan A, Harrington Z, McIlwaine C, et al. Subgingival lipid A profile and endotoxin activity in periodontal health and disease. Clin Oral Investig. 2019;23(9):3527-3534.

3. Roy H, Bescos R, McColl E, et al. Oral microbes and the formation of cerebral abscesses: A single-centre retrospective study. J Dent. 2023;128:104366.

4. Bescos R, Ashworth A, Cutler C, et al. Effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash on the oral microbiome. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):5254.

5. McIlwaine C, Brookes ZLS, Zahra D, et al. A novel, integrated curriculum for dental hygiene-therapists and dentists. Br Dent J. 2019;226(1):67-72.

6. Zahra D, Belfield L, Bennett J. The benefits of integrating dental and dental therapy and hygiene students in undergraduate curricula. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018;23(1):e12-e16.

7. NHS Health Education England (HEE). New plans for dental training reform in England to tackle inequalities in patient oral health. HEE. 21 September 2021. [Internet]. Available at https://www.hee.nhs.uk/news-blogs-events/news/new-plans-dental-training-reform-england-tackle-inequalities-patient-oral-health-0 [Accessed Dec 2022]

This account was first published in the Primary Dental Journal (vol. 12, issue 1, March 2023)

Update (June 2023): Since this article was published, Louise has been appointed Academic Head of Assessment at Brunel University Medical School and has stood down from the College Council to focus on her new role; however she remains on the College’s Research Advisory Panel.

Remimazolam CPD training day

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Manchester

Remimazolam training for sedationists and dental teams: one day hands-on CPD course, delivered by UK Sedation

Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP

Course leads:

  • Dr Roy Bennett FCGDent, accredited mentor in IV sedation & founder of Mellow Sedation Training
  • Dr Rob Endicott, accredited mentor in IV sedation

This CPD course was designed to train experienced dental sedationists in the use of the new benzodiazepine Remimazolam, and was also suitable for all members of the dental team involved in the treatment of the sedated patient: dentists, nurses and hygienists.

**COLLEGE MEMBERS RECEIVED 20% OFF USING DISCOUNT CODE CGDENT20**

The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry, on which the College is represented and which publishes the UK’s Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care, has recently issued a statement on the clinical use of Remimazolam for intravenous conscious sedation for dental procedures.

Dr Roy Bennett FCGDent and Dr Rob Endicott host an on-demand webinar which provides an introduction to Remimazolam and its use in different situations. The webinar recording is free to view for College members and is available for a fee for non-members.

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Updating postnominals

Professor Emeritus Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, Honorary Founding President of the College, encourages former members and fellows of the FGDP, together with colleagues who have recently joined CGDent, to update their postnominals.

While honours and university degree postnominals may normally be used throughout life, the use of postnominals linked to membership and fellowship of colleges, academies and other bodies, including memberships and fellowships earned by examination and assessment, is more complex.

The College has previously issued guidance on the continuing use of postnominals awarded by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP). This guidance states that, while postnominals relating to diplomas awarded by FGDP(UK) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England – i.e. Dip. MFGDP(UK), Dip. FFGDP(UK), Dip. MJDF, DGDP (RCS Eng.), Dip. MGDS (RCS Eng.), Dip. Imp. Dent. (RCS Eng.) and Dip. Rest. Dent. (RCS Eng.) – were not affected by the transfer of FGDP(UK) into CGDent, postnominals which conveyed ongoing membership or fellowship of FGDP(UK) – i.e. MFGDP(UK) and FFGDP(UK) – should no longer be used, as the FGDP(UK) no longer exists.

The only exceptions to these arrangements are honorary memberships and fellowships of FGDP(UK), i.e. Hon. MFGDP(UK) and Hon FFGDP(UK), which are honours rather than denoting ongoing, substantive membership.

Continuing use of the redundant, membership-specific Faculty postnominals MFGDP(UK) and FFGDP(UK) could be considered misleading, specifically to patients, and therefore to contravene the GDC’s guidance on advertising.

Equally, failure to use recently acquired CGDent postnominals – MCGDent, AssocFCGDent or FCGDent – contributes to the unhelpful misunderstanding that dentistry continues to lack its own independent standards setting body.

In addition, it fails to convey our professional standing, and our commitment to the CGDent Code of Conduct and, in turn, the standards established and promoted by the College, to other healthcare professions, and more importantly to patients.

In updating their postnominals, former members and fellows of FGDP(UK) who have not yet joined CGDent may replace their redundant FGDP(UK) postnominals with CGDent ones by doing so – former members and fellows of FGDP(UK) being eligible, respectively, for MCGDent and FCGDent.

In this process, there is opportunity for former members of FGDP(UK) who have obtained experience and postgraduate qualifications since obtaining their FGDP(UK)/RCS Eng. diploma to apply for Associate Fellowship (AssocFCGDent) or even Fellowship (FCGDent) of the College ‘by experience’ or ‘by equivalence’.

Also, all retired oral healthcare professionals (i.e. colleagues who are no longer GDC registrants) who wish to maintain a link with their chosen profession, are most welcome to join the College through its ‘by experience’ or ‘by equivalence’ processes, with opportunity for those who become Fellows (FCGDent) in retirement to join the College’s recently established 1992 Circle.

The College’s online register of current members can be used to confirm the membership status of any individuals using CGDent postnominals.

The College will be most pleased to assist former members and fellows
of FGDP(UK) in updating and possibly upgrading their postnominals, together with all other oral healthcare professionals, both in the UK and elsewhere, wishing to join CGDent, which is increasingly gaining recognition and standing as a ground-breaking, world-first for the dental team – just get in touch with us here

This blog is adapted from a Letter to the Editor published in the British Dental Journal on 10 February 2023.

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Domiciliary denture provision: a Clinical Dental Technician’s approach part 2

CGDent recorded webinar, Thursday 22 June 2023

This is the second webinar in a two-part series on providing domiciliary denture care. In the first webinar, we explore the benefits that Clinical Dental Technicians can provide with domiciliary denture care, particularly with an ageing demographic where mobility issues and additional assistance may be deciding factors when opting for denture treatment.

In this second webinar, speakers Mike Brindle and Caroline Persaud, both Clinical Dental Technicians, look at some of the more practical components involved in delivering domiciliary denture provision, including equipment required and the clinical techniques that can be used to treat patients in residential settings.

They share tips on gaining a patient’s trust and confidence and ensuring you provide the best denture care to suit your patients’ needs. The speakers also give an overview of an ongoing pilot programme that involves a Clinical Dental Technician working within the NHS system to provide denture care in the Lancashire & South Cumbria Financial Healthcare Trust.

View the recording of the first webinar in this two-part series.

Speakers:

  • Mike Brindle, Clinical Dental Technician
  • Caroline Persaud, Registered Dental Technician and Clinical Dental Technician

CPD approx 1 hour

GCD development outcomes: C , D

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 £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

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Artificial Intelligence in cariology

CGDent recorded webinar, Tuesday 20 June 2023

AI is entering our everyday lives – but what is behind this technology, and how can that be used in dentistry? This CGDent webinar discusses these aspects and focuses on the link between modern diagnostics using AI and modern caries therapy.

Speakers:

  • Dr Abhi Pal, President of the College of General Dentistry
  • Prof. Falk Schwendicke, Professor and Director, Department of Oral Diagnostics, Digital Dentistry and Health Services Research

CPD approx 1.5 hours

GCD 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 £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

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BSRD spring meeting 2023

**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. IF YOU HAVE BOOKED A TICKET TO THIS EVENT, THE BSRD WILL CONTACT YOU SHORTLY. FOLLOW THE LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION**

Thursday 18 May & Friday 19 May 2023, RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

Biomimetics…..bio sustainability?

The British Society for Restorative Dentistry’s Spring Meeting, will examine a range of topics related to Biomimetics in dentistry, delivered by an array of speakers from across the dental profession.

Speakers & topics:

  • Maarten de Beer – Biomimetic Dentistry: Unravelling the Hype; IDS & DME: Creating the Biobase; Lifehacks in Dentistry
  • Erik-Jan Muts – White spots: the Infiltration Concept; Direct and Indirect Posterior Restorations
  • Pedja Pavlovic – Perio and Implants: Marriage Made in Heaven or Hell?
  • Robert Stone – Reflecting on 20 Years of Biomimetics in Practice. Biomimetics and Microscopy Practice
  • Eoin O’Sullivan – Can Digital Workflows Facilitate Biomimetic Dentistry?

Early bird offer ends 31 March

COLLEGE MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE EVENT FOR THE SAME DISCOUNTED FEE AS BSRD MEMBERS

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Introduction to Remimazolam in Procedural Sedation in Dentistry

CGDent recorded webinar, Thursday 18 May 20237pm

In this CGDent webinar, experts in sedation in dentistry, Dr Roy Bennett and Dr Rob Endicott, will discuss the new ultra short acting benzodiazepine sedative, Remimazolam, which was approved for use in the UK in dentistry in 2023.

As well as examining the pharmacology of Remimazolam, the speakers will discuss their experience of using the drug in many different situations. 

Speakers:

  • Dr Roy Bennett FCGDent, accredited IV sedation mentor and founder of Mellow Sedation Training
  • Dr Rob Endicott, accredited mentor in IV sedation

CPD approx 1.5 hours

GDC development outcomes: C

This webinar is hosted by the College of General Dentistry and powered by our CPD delivery partner, ProDental CPD – watch 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 £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry, on which the College is represented and which publishes the UK’s Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care, has recently issued a statement on the clinical use of Remimazolam for intravenous conscious sedation for dental procedures.

College members are eligible for a 20% discount for a one-day CPD training course in the use of the Remimazolam taking place in Manchester on 5 July 2023

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British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show

Friday-Saturday 12-13 May 2023, Birmingham

On 12 & 13 May 2023, the College returned to the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show, for its biggest presence to date.

The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show is the UK’s largest event for dental professionals, with an expected 200 CPD lectures, 400 exhibitors and thousands of colleagues to meet, and it took place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th May 2023 at the NEC Birmingham. You can find out more on the conference website.

Throughout the conference, the College hosted the brand new CGDent Professional Development Theatre, in which knowledgeable speakers covered a wide range of career development and clinical topics, including:

  • Advertising and social media: dento-legal considerations            
  • How to move into orthodontics
  • How to make the most of your career in dentistry          
  • The many routes to Fellowship: what will yours be?
  • How to waste your time and money on the wrong training
  • Mouth cancer: what does the dental team need to know?
  • How to get into practice in the UK after qualifying abroad
  • Creating prevention-led growth for your practice
  • The changing nature of dental careers
  • How to move into facial aesthetics
  • How to get into practice ownership
  • Beyond clinical practice: how to expand into teaching and research

Full and up-to-date details of the CGDent Professional Development Theatre programme can be found on the BDCDS website – click Conference then 2023 Conference Programme.

The College also hosted the CGDent Careers Clinic, a fantastic new initiative which offered visitors the opportunity to discuss their career aspirations with our speakers, who were on hand following their lectures to offer informal advice and answer questions. Themed time slots included:

  • College membership
  • Identifying the right training
  • Developing your career
  • Gaining Associate Fellowship & Fellowship
  • Moving into orthodontics
  • Moving into facial aesthetics
  • Becoming a practice owner
  • Expanding into teaching and research
  • Expanding into dento-legal work
  • Getting into practice after qualifying abroad

Full and up-to-date details of the CGDent Careers Clinic programme can be found on the BDCDS website – click Conference then On-stand Education.

Delegates were also be able to visit the CGDent Stand (Q01) at any time, where staff and senior members of the College were available to answer any queries you may have about the College and membership, or just to say hello – members and non-members alike were strongly encouraged to come and introduce themselves.

Conference registration was FREE for all dental professionals.

Admissions to Associate Fellowship

The College has admitted over 150 dental professionals to date into Associate Fellowship in recognition of their high level of practice.

The membership grade, newly instituted in 2021, acts as a stepping stone to Fellowship. It is open to all dental professionals holding a qualifying award, and applicants do not need to be an existing member of the College to apply.

Qualifying awards include:

  • FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry
  • FGDP(UK) Diploma in Primary Care Oral Surgery
  • FGDP(UK) or RCS Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry
  • Any other Level 7, 120 credit Postgraduate Diploma (or 180 credit Masters-level qualification) in a subject relevant to the enhancement of oral healthcare
  • Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS) of a UK faculty
  • Specialty membership of a UK faculty

Associate Fellows are entitled to use the post-nominal designation ‘AssocFCGDent’, are eligible to attend the College’s biannual Fellows’ Receptions, and are listed in the College’s online Member Register.

Should Associate Fellows wish to progress, their qualifying award for Associate Fellowship will automatically meet the requirements of the clinical domain of Fellowship – one of five domains, three of which must be satisfied for admittance.

Associate Fellows also have the option to enrol in the College’s Certified Membership programme, an enhanced membership which provides structured support with a trained facilitator to map out the next steps in their career. Those meeting the programme’s requirements over a period of two years would then be recognised as Certified Associate Fellows (AssocFCGDent(Cert.))

The following members have been admitted to Associate Fellowship of the College*:

Amir Hossein AbediDentist, Barrow-in-Furness
Mohanad Abu-MughaisibDentist, Brunei
Graham Richard AdlardDentist, Yelverton
Kelvin Ian AfrashtehfarDentist, Surrey, British Columbia
Ahmed Shihab Al MashhadaniDentist, Riyadh
Nibras AlnaimiDentist, Nottingham
Anoushiravan AriakishDentist, London
Nicholas Brian BakerDentist, Edinburgh
Caroline BatistoniDentist, Tonbridge
Louise BelfieldDental Nurse, Plymouth
Anuschka BenekeDentist, Waterlooville
Sarah Jane BottomleyDentist, York
David William Peter BrownDentist, Romsey
Darren BywaterDentist, Derby
Miguel Lains CardosoDentist, Edinburgh
Kevin CaruanaDentist, Stockton-on-Tees
Louisa Mary ClarkeDental Hygienist, London
Melanie Elizabeth ClarksonDentist, Stamford
Russell Stephen ColcloughDentist, Tynemouth
Padraic ConroyDentist, Jordanstown
Mario Arvino Joe CorreiaDentist, East Barnet
Orang DadashianDentist, Hayes
Jane DalgarnoDental Nurse, Sharnbrook
Brett DavidsDentist, Nottingham
Natalie Ann DunnDentist, Falmouth
Robert Joseph EadesDentist, Tadcaster
Jeremy Jameson EdmondsonDentist, Ellesmere
Marion Rose EnglishDentist, Broxbourne
Ekaterina FabrikantDentist, London
Peter FarrageDentist, Eaglescliffe
Timothy Graham FildesDentist, Guernsey
Alexa Caroline Fyfe-GreenDentist, Bognor Regis
Amanda Zoe GallieDental Therapist, Oakham
Santhira Kumar GanasanDentist, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Affar GhafoorDentist, Stockport
Daniel James GhentDentist, London
Chris GollingsDentist, Christchurch
Callum John GrahamDentist, Larkhall
Anthony James HandsDentist, Cullompton
Madalina HarmerDentist, Willington
John-Joe HartiganDentist, Belfast
Sami James HassanDentist, London
Hussein HassanaliDentist, York
Gareth John HattersleyDentist, Preston
Angela Heilmann MBEDental Nurse, Bedford
Sarah Suzanne HillDental Hygienist, Stourbridge
Elizabeth Joy HitchingsDentist, Wellington, New Zealand
John Alexander Ho-A-YunDentist, Cupar
Frances HodsonDentist, Seaton
Zhi Yen HoeDentist, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
James HudsonDentist, Huddersfield
John Francis Alexander Hume-SpryDentist, Derby
James Robert Robert HyslopDentist, Ormskirk
Charles Olajide IlesanmiDentist, Kaduna, Nigeria
Gaurav JamnadassDentist, Newcastle
Sherley Princess Deborah JohnDentist, Middlesbrough
Simon-Quentin JonesDentist, Swansea
Jimmy KafeeroDentist, Sittingbourne
Jasvinder Singh KailaDentist, Egham
Priyadarshini KarthikeyanDental academic, Chennai
Bashir Haji KassamDentist, Birmingham
Gurpreet KaurDentist, Wellingborough
Graham Roderick KeelingDentist, Rottingdean
Patrick Gerard KilkerDentist, Sunderland
Stamatios KioufisDentist, Athens
James KolankoDentist, Stafford
Paul James KolathingalDentist, Thrissur, Kerala
Raj KumarDentist, London
Matthew LambDentist, Alfreton
Caroline Frances LappinDentist, Belfast
Gareth LaveryDentist, Kelso
Georgios LazaridisDentist, Trowbridge
Kim B LeeDentist, Hong Kong
Stewart Keith LentonDentist, Rugby
Max LeslieDentist, Cambridge
William MaguireDentist, Belfast
Christopher John MaherDentist, Bishop Burton
Amit MaisuriaDentist, St Albans
Nadim Nadim MajidDentist, Blackburn
Usmaan Fazal MajidDentist, Dewsbury
Sarah MapplebeckDentist, Ludgershall
Stuart MarshallDentist, Adelaide
Dinesh MartinDentist, St Augustine, Trinidad
Oskar MasonDentist, Aylesbeare
Grainne Josephine McCloskeyDentist, Crumlin
Laura McCluneDental Hygienist, Southwater
Andrew David McDonnellDentist, Reading
Aine McIverDentist, Belfast
Martin McKinstryDentist, Kilmacolm
Panagiota MelitouDentist, Manchester
Richard MichaelDentist, Plymouth
Sanjay MiglaniDental academic, Delhi
Katherine Felicity MillsDentist, Benllech
Sharon Alice Johnson MorrowDental Nurse, Largs
Gulshan Kumar MurgaiDentist, Watford
Tan Minh NguyenDental Therapist, Melbourne
Amr NoseirDentist, Manchester
Keerut Singh OberaiDentist, Egham
Adedeji Daniel ObikoyaDentist, Athlone
Gemma Joanne O’CallaghanDental Hygienist, Southport
Jake O’ConnellDentist, Sandhurst
Margaret Omoemin OkonkwoDentist, Weybridge
Georgina Padgett-DuncanDentist, South Cerney
Kapil PaiwalDental academic, Kota, Rajasthan
Sonal PandeDentist, Horsham
Bhavin PatelDentist, Loughton
Vilas PatelDentist, Bolton
Anu Anna PaulDentist, Kochi, Kerala
Gordon James PenmanDentist, Kirkcaldy
Helen PeppiattDentist, Norwich
Noel John PerkinsDentist, Kirkby Lonsdale
Amith Joy PhilipDentist, Epsom
Richard PinsDentist, London
Robert PittackDentist, London
Manju PonnampalamDentist, Canterbury, New South Wales
Colin Alexander PrattDentist, Glasgow
Hong Ping PuaDentist, Singapore
Alison RaeDentist, King’s Lynn
Savithra RathinasabapathyDentist, Colchester
Paul William ReaneyDentist, Markethill
Philip John RedfearnDentist, Hamilton
Frances Claire RobinsonDental Hygienist, London
Vaibhav SahniDentist, New Delhi
Irfan SalimDentist, Peshawar
Azam SandhuDentist, Bridgetown, Barbados
Hasveer Singh SanghaDentist, Coventry
Elizabeth SebastianDentist, Kochi, Kerala
Shaun SellarsDentist, Bury Saint Edmunds
Amit SharmaDentist, Blandford Forum
Tarik ShembeshDentist, London
Richard SkeggsDentist, Nottingham
Sami StagnellDentist, Winchester
William John StanfieldDental Hygienist, Winsford
Anita StanforthDental Nurse, Gillingham
Thomas William Newell StapletonDentist, York
Miranda Clare Lydia SteeplesDental Therapist, Pevensey Bay
Carol SubadanDentist, Milton Keynes
Katerina SusickiDentist, Edinburgh
Anthony SweeneyDentist, Beckenham
Stephen Andrew TaylorDental Technician, Leyland
Calum Robert TevendaleDentist, Glasgow
Heather Jean Anne ToppingDentist, Lisburn
Priyanka Venkata VasantavadaDentist, Middlesbrough
Jacob VergheseDentist, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Andrew John WallaceDentist, Belfast
Michael WhiteDentist, Lindfield
John WillmottDentist, Nottingham
Chee-Siang YieDentist, Miri, Malaysia

*as on 8 February 2023

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Presentation of new Fellows

The College formally presented over 35 individuals with their Fellowship at the first CGDent Fellows’ Winter Reception, which took place on 18 January at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

CGDent President Abhi Pal congratulating Jacqui Elsden FCGDent on her admittance into College Fellowship

College Fellowship, which is denoted by the postnominal letters ‘FCGDent’, is the mark of accomplishment in general dentistry, indicating a dental professional’s commitment to professional development and reflective practice, diligence in upholding the highest standards of clinical care, and distinction across clinical and professional domains. 

The primary means of application to fellowship is by experience, a route launched last year to recognise a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications relevant to dentistry and oral healthcare, offering has transparent criteria and a straightforward application process. Fellowship is open to all members of the dental team should they meet the detailed criteria, however a minimum of ten years’ registered practice is required for an application to be considered. Applicants do not need to be an existing member of the College, and all suitably experienced dental professionals are encouraged to apply.

Alternatively, Fellowship is available by equivalence to those already awarded Fellowship by the former FGDP(UK) or by any of the UK and Ireland Royal Colleges or their Faculties of Dental Surgery (FDS) or Dentistry (FFD), by the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Applications based on fellowship of other institutions may be successful if equivalence is established by the College’s Membership Assessment Panel.

The College Council can also award Fellowship where an individual has actively supported the College (and/or former FGDP) and its mission, and whose practice and career is deemed to meet the required standards. Honorary Fellowship can also be bestowed by the Council on those who have made an exceptional contribution to the profession, and entitles recipients to use the post-nominal designation ‘FCGDent(Hon)’.

The Fellowship presentations in Manchester were made in front of an audience of almost 100 Fellows and Associate Fellows of the College, members from the North West region and those enrolled in the College’s Certified Membership programme.

Those successfully applying for Fellowship over the coming weeks will have the opportunity to have their Fellowship conferred at the Fellows’ Summer Reception in London in June 2023.

A full list of those awarded Fellowship of the College since its launch will be published in due course.

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