College of General Dentistry News

Occlusion and perio symposia for early career dentists

The College of General Dentistry is delighted to partner with the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation to host a series of symposia for early career dentists on the topics of Occlusion and Perio. 

Carefully curated for early career dentists, the symposia will be open to dentists who qualified in the UK or overseas between 2019 and 2023 and have been practising in the UK for at least the past two years.

Introduction to Occlusion Symposium

The first of the symposia, Introduction to Occlusion Symposium for Early Career Dentists, will take place on Saturday 5 April 2025 at the Kensington Conference and Events Centre in London.

A line-up of renowned speakers will deliver a series of lectures to enhance delegates’ understanding of the fundamentals of occlusion and how these principles can support the placement of successful, long-term restorations for patients presenting with tooth wear and other conditions.

The opening lecture will be delivered by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, a general dental practitioner with a special interest in restorative dentistry and founder of the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation. Dr Bereznicki’s presentation will be followed by sessions from Professor Paul Tipton FCGDent, Dr Ken Harris FCGDent, Dr Tif Qureshi FCGDent and Dr Shiraz Khan, and Dr Koray Feran FCGDent.

Dr Tom Bereznicki
Prof Paul Tipton
Dr Ken Harris
Dr Tif Qureshi
Dr Shiraz Khan
Dr Koray Feran
introduction to occlusion symposium
5 April 2025

Perio-Occlusion Symposium

The second in the series of symposia for early career dentists will focus on the aesthetic aspects of perio and functional occlusal aspects post orthodontic treatment and will also take place at Kensington Conference and Events Centre in London on Saturday 20 September 2025.

The event will consist of two half-day sessions delivered by Dr Reena Wadia MCGDent, a Specialist Periodontist and founder of Perio School, and Dr Raman Aulakh FCGDent, a Specialist Orthodontist, Invisalign Platinum Elite Doctor and co-founder of Aligner Dental Academy.

Dr Reena Wadia
Dr Raman Aulakh
perio-occlusion symposium
20 September 2025

Alongside the programme of lectures, delegates at either symposia who wish to develop their knowledge of occlusion or perio further, can visit a selection of education stands to learn more about leading postgraduate courses available in these fields.

To ensure the symposia are accessible to early career dentists, the fee for each event has been set at an affordable rate of £75 per symposium and they will each take place on a Saturday to avoid time away from clinic.

Tickets for the Introduction to Occlusion Symposium for Early Career Dentists will be made available from January 2025. Bookings for the Perio-Occlusion Symposium for Early Career Dentists will open later next year, and as places are limited, dentists are advised to secure a ticket early to avoid disappointment.

Eligible dentists interested in attending either or both symposia, are urged to ‘save-the-dates’ and sign-up to receive a notification as soon as tickets go on sale.

introduction to occlusion
5 April 2025
perio-occlusion symposium
20 September 2025

The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation supports educational initiatives for early career dentists and is working in conjunction with the College, and other collaborators, to provide a range of developmental opportunities for this cohort. Alongside the Introduction to Occlusion and the Perio-Occlusion Symposia, the Foundation funds the CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees, which offers the chance to win fully-funded composite layering training in Belgium. An advanced aesthetic dentistry competition, which will provide each successful candidate with a fully-funded place on a hands-on digital dentistry course, is launching soon and other projects are also planned.

Subscribe to the College for free to receive our monthly newsletter and stay informed about all upcoming opportunities with the College and the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation.

College of General Dentistry Event

CGDent Midlands Annual Symposium

Friday 11 July 2025, 9am-4.30pm (registration from 8am)

Conference Aston, Birmingham, B4 7ET

Oral Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment and Management 

This year’s Symposium is targeted at the core CPD topic of diagnosing and managing oral cancer. Including three sessions delivered by expert speakers, the day is targeted at early career dentists, but all are welcome.

Speakers, aims & objectives

Dr Ana Poveda
Professor StJohn Crean
Dr Sadiq Mawji
Speaker: Dr Ana Poveda +

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

Session aims:

Introduce intraoral soft tissue pathology and pre-malignant lesions

Session objectives:

  • Run through a systematic approach to assessing for intraoral soft tissue lesions
  • Revise the nomenclature used when describing soft tissue pathology when referring to secondary care
  • Provide differential diagnoses for potentially malignant lesions and be able to describe what features make them concerning
Speaker: Professor StJohn Crean +

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

Session aims:

Diagnosis and treatment of Oral Cancer

Session objectives:

  • Epidemiology, presentation and prognosis of oral cancer (including HPV positive SCC)
  • Pathology of cancer, TMN staging
  • Treatment modalities for Oral Cancer, radiotherapy vs surgery and their implications
Speaker: Dr Sadiq Mawji +

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

Session aims:

Equip DFTs with some skills for managing patients on the ward

Session objectives:

  • Provide personal experience of career journey and the Maxillofacial Surgery Pathway
  • Considerations for patient management immediately following surgery, eg tracheostomies, flaps, ITU, fluid maintenance
  • Tips and tricks for managing a cancer patient as a new DCT

6 hours verifiable CPD

GDC development outcomes: A, C, D

Delegates receive a three course lunch and morning and afternoon tea and coffee is provided.

Full venue details including facilities and how to get there, are available here.

A car park is available and you must book and pay for your place in advance – pre-book your space here.

Fee:

  • Current member of the College of General Dentistry – £120
  • Non-member – £160

Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

To book your place at the CGDent Midlands Annual Symposium 2025, please sign in to your online account or create a new subscriber account for free and then refresh this page.

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College of General Dentistry Event

The hygienist’s role in the management of the implant patient in primary care

CGDent webinar, Wednesday 9 July 2025, 7pm

This webinar explores the essential role of dental hygienists and therapists in the long-term success of dental implants within a primary care settings. It provides a comprehensive overview of best practices for prevention, early detection, and management of peri-implant diseases. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of their clinical responsibilities across all stages of implant care — from pre-operative risk assessment and patient education, to post-operative maintenance and monitoring. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based techniques, communication skills, patient motivation, and collaboration with the wider dental team.

Objectives:

  • To demonstrate the ability to explain implant-related risks and maintenance strategies clearly and effectively to patients.
  • To communicate effectively with the wider dental team to support continuity of care for implant patients.

Outcomes:

After completing this course the learner will gain an understanding of:

  • The role of the dental hygienist in primary care throughout the patient’s implant journey during the three identified areas of implant placement.
  • The communication needed within a multidisciplinary team through the implant journey.

Speakers:

  • Kate Reading, dental hygienist
  • Lisa Knowles, dental therapist

CPD approx 40 minutes

GDC development outcomes: A, B, C

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

It is 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 

REGISTER FOR webinar

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Inaugural College lecture (by Martin Kelleher)

Friday 13 June 2025, 2pm-4.30pm

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

The Inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture was delivered by Martin Kelleher FCGDent.

‘Satisficing’ standards in dentistry: Who decides? Who benefits? challenged the notion of the ‘ideal treatment plan’ and contended 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.

Intended to stimulate and provoke healthy debate, the lecture built on the rich legacy of the Malcolm Pendlebury Lectures hosted by the College’s predecessor organisation, the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP).

Martin Kelleher has been a Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at King’s College Hospital, London since 1984 and has well- known interests in solving seemingly complex dental problems with various minimally destructive approaches. He is on the GDC specialist lists for Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics and owned his own practice in Bromley, Kent for nearly 40 years.

He is a Fellow of the Faculties of Dental Surgery at the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England, as well as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is also a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry, a Fellow and former President of the British Society for Restorative Dentistry, and a former Chairman of the Southern Counties Branch of the British Dental Association. 

Mr Kelleher graduated from University College Dublin in 1971, holds a Master’s degree in Conservative Dentistry and is the author or co-author of very numerous peer-reviewed articles on a wide variety of topics, as well as chapters in dental textbooks and a book on dental bleaching. He served on the board of Dental Protection for a decade, including three years as Chair of its Advisory Committee for Dental Claims. He is a renowned speaker, having lectured to many national dental associations and specialist societies as well as internationally for over 40 years.

CPD approx. 2 hours

Members of the College were invited to attend a self-funding lunch prior to the lecture, hosted by Sir Nairn Wilson CBE and the 1992 Circle, which took place at 12pm-2pm.

Registration for the inaugural College of General Dentistry Lecture started at 2pm, with the lecture and Q&A taking place from 2.30pm-4.30pm. This was followed by the College Summer Reception from 5pm-8pm, including the ceremonial admission of Associate Fellows and new Fellows of the College.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SUMMER RECEPTION

For these events, we also gathered alumni, course directors and examiners to celebrate the achievements of the Diploma in Restorative Dentistry programme which was established 20 years ago by our predecessor organisation, the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP). 

All dental professionals, and others with professional interests in contemporary dental practice, were eligible to attend both the Inaugural College Lecture and Summer Reception.

Students and staff at the University of Sheffield who wished to attend the College Lecture were asked to email us at [email protected] using the subject header ‘University of Sheffield place at Lecture’

Tickets were priced as follows:

Lecture onlyReception onlyLecture & Reception
Member or Fellow£20£55£65
Non-member£30£75 £95

Associate Fellows and recent Fellows expecting to be ceremonially admitted could book their place at the reception free of charge until 30 April.

Non-members or existing members applying for Fellowship who wished to be ceremonially admitted at the reception were advised to submit their applications as soon as possible in order to allow enough time for admissions procedures to be completed.

Information on eligibility for Fellowship of the College (FCGDent) and Associate Fellowship (AssocFCGDent) is available here

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College of General Dentistry News

New register of implant dentistry mentors

The College has launched an online register of qualified mentors in implant dentistry.

Developed in conjunction with the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) and the International Team for Implantology (ITI), the new Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry will support high standards of training and practice in implant dentistry by providing recognition to those who have met specific standards in their clinical and mentoring practice. Freely accessible and searchable by the profession at large, it will also enable those undertaking training in implant dentistry to identify and contact appropriately experienced and qualified mentors.

Mentoring is recognised as a critical element of a practitioner’s training in implant dentistry, and is among the requirements of the College’s Training Standards in Implant Dentistry document, which sets the minimum standards for training which those practising implant dentistry in the UK must have undertaken.

The specific experience, skills and qualities required of a mentor are articulated in the College’s Mentoring in Implant Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines and are the basis for the eligibility criteria for inclusion the new register, all of which must be met:

  1. Postgraduate degree or qualification in implant dentistry, or documentary evidence of completion of a structured implant training course with at least 70 hours of verifiable contact learning and meeting, or (for those who commenced implant dentistry before 2005) demonstrably equivalent training and experience.
  1. Placed and/or restored at least 250 implants in a variety of clinical situations, depending on which aspects of care are being mentored. (Suitability can also be demonstrated from a lower number of cases with appropriate insight and reflection).
  1. Five years’ experience in the specific prosthetic or surgical technique that the mentee is being trained in. This should be in the form of a description of the mentor’s overall post-qualification experience and specifically their implant training, courses attended and clinical experience.
  1. Successful completion of an accredited medical education or mentoring course, or two years in a substantive implant-related teaching post which includes clinical supervision.

Applications to join the register are reviewed by a panel comprising representatives of CGDent, the ADI and the ITI. Once admitted, mentors will be subject to a Code of Conduct to ensure that any mentoring provided is in accordance with the guidelines, and they will also need to provide an annual declaration that they are still undertaking implant dentistry and that they are maintaining their expertise in both clinical and mentoring skills.

There is currently no application fee, however those admitted to the register will pay an annual fee for inclusion. The introductory annual fee is £500, but Full Members, Associate Fellows or Fellows of the College pay only £250. Members of the ADI and ITI also benefit from a reduced rate of £400, and those who are members of both the College and either the ADI or ITI pay just £160 per annum. The effective cost of the fee can be significantly reduced through tax relief.

For further information, visit the Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry

APPLY TO JOIN THE REGISTER

PDJ Implant Dentistry issues

Anyone joining the Register of Mentors in Implant Dentistry (and/or the College) before 31 December 2024 will receive printed copies of the two upcoming issues of the Primary Dental Journal devoted to implant dentistry.

College of General Dentistry Recent event

Progressing your career in implant dentistry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Standards in Dentistry, 3rd edition: what’s changing?

Friday 16 May 2025, 4.15pm-5.00pm, Birmingham

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

This lecture will provide an overview of what is changing in the forthcoming third edition of the College’s Standards in Dentistry publication, which will be published in 2025, including new standards tables and new areas of guidance coverage.

It will be delivered by Professor Chris Tredwin FCGDent, Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Principal Dental Practitioner, Dean and Director of Queen Mary University of London Institute of Dentistry, and former Chair of the Dental Schools Council.

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

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

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

Consent in general practice in 2025

Friday 16 May 2025, 12.15pm-1.00pm, Birmingham

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

This lecture will be delivered by Moira Duncan, Dento Legal Advisor for the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland. Dr Duncan, who graduated from Glasgow Dental School in 2001, joined the MDDUS in August 2021 after being one of the first cohort of dentists to complete the Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship. As well as her role with MDDUS, she works part time in a busy NHS dental practice and is also a vocational trainer. In 2020, she completed a Master of Laws (LLM) in Healthcare Law from the University of Dundee.

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

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

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College of General Dentistry Recent event

British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show

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

College lecturers at BDCDS25 (clockwise from bottom left): Leon Bassi, Dr Moira Duncan, Professor Chris Tredwin FCGDent, Sarah Murray MBE and Dr Abhi Pal FCGDent

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

The College will once again be a key education partner for the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS), hosting four lectures in the Enhanced CPD Theatre during the two-day conference.

Members and non-members alike will be welcome to the College’s sessions, in which experts in their fields will share their knowledge and give advice on a range of subjects encompassing clinical dentistry and professionalism. Lectures include:

Friday 16 May:

Saturday 17 May:

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

BDCDS is the UK’s largest dental event, bringing together the whole dental team with 10,000 dental professionals gathering under one roof.

FREE to attend for all registered dental professionals, attendees can expect 200 CPD lectures across 11 theatres. 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.

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