The Dental Awards 2021

This year marks the 23rd annual Dental Awards, the original and most respected awards programme in British dentistry. For almost quarter of a century, this prestigious event has recognised the outstanding individuals and teams whose commitment and drive continues to raise standards throughout the UK dentistry profession.

While the pandemic and current restrictions prevent us from gathering in person at a glittering gala dinner, it’s important that we still recognise the unbelievable amount of talent and the immense skill present within the sector – now more than ever.

The 2021 Dental Awards Ceremony is available to watch on-demand at the-probe.co.uk and is brought to you by Colosseum Dental, Dental Elite, and Waterpik, in association with The Oral Health Foundation, ADAM (Association of Dental Administrators and Managers), BADN (British Association of Dental Nurses), BADT (British Assocition of Dental Therapists) and BSDHT (British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy).

The nominees, finalists, and winners can all be seen below:

Best National Smile Month Initiative – in association with the Oral Health Foundation

Oral Health Promotion Team, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Share a Smile Campaign – Winner: Best National Smile Month Initiative

The Finalists:

  • Stuart Porter, DPHC Dental Centre Seria, For serving soldiers and families British and Nepalese (Brunei)
  • Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe’s digital and social media campaign
  • Oral Health Promotion Team, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Share a Smile Campaign

Winner: Oral Health Promotion Team, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Share a Smile Campaign

The “Share A Smile” campaign was created to support the local community during the pandemic. Face to face contact was not possible so a range of activities were promoted and delivered across a myriad of digital platforms. Creativity and innovation was key.

Highly Commended: Stuart Porter, DPHC Dental Centre Seria, For serving soldiers and families British and Nepalese (Brunei)

 

Dental Receptionist of the Year

Linda Williams, The Waterside Dental Clinic, Preston – Winner: Dental Receptionist of the Year

The Finalists: 

  • Victoria Heath, Cirencester Dental Practice, Gloucester
  • Kerry Robinson-Williams, Wallasey Village Dental Practice, Wirral
  • Lisa Fee, Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool
  • Linda Williams, The Waterside Dental Clinic, Preston

Winner: Linda Williams, The Waterside Dental Clinic, Preston

Linda is the public face of her clinic. Always warm and welcoming, she is an amazing listener often picking up on something a patient says and then helping them to discuss the issue. She seems to sense what a patient is feeling is a great counsellor for both her patients and the practice team. Extremely professional and well organised, Linda’s energy and warmth has become as infectious as her smile.

Highly Commended: Kerry Robinson-Williams, Wallasey Village Dental Practice, Wirral

 

 

Dental Therapist of the Year – in association with the BADT

The Finalists:

  • Yazmyn Felix, Country Park Dental, Colchester
  • Amy Hills, Kingwood Parks Clinics, Hull
  • Chloe Squire, No 5 Dental Care, Hindhead, Surrey

Winner: Chloe Squire, No 5 Dental Care, Hindhead, Surrey

Chloe Squire, No 5 Dental Care, Hindhead, Surrey – Winner: Dental Therapist of the Year and Dental Hygienist of the Year

Joining the profession as a dental nurse, Chloe realised the impact teeth have on health, well-being and self-confidence, motivating her to become a dental hygienist and therapist. Graduating in 2019 and going on to be awarded the BSDHT graduation award for the Best Case Base presentation. Chloe always makes particular efforts to ensure her patients feel valued, understanding the importance of communication when explaining procedures and hygiene routines She also assists in training, trainee dental nurses prior to them being placed with dentists.

 

Dental Hygienist of the Year – in association with the BSDHT

The Finalists:

  • Amanda Harbrow-Harris, Springfield Dental Practice, Wickham Bishops, Essex
  • Joanne Vaughan, Cirencester Dental Practice, Gloucestershire
  • Chloe Squire, No 5 Dental Care, Hindhead, Surrey

Winner: Chloe Squire, No 5 Dental Care, Hindhead, Surrey

A second win for Chloe. The judges were just as impressed with her Hygienist skills as her Therapy credentials. Chloe has demonstrated she excels in both disciplines and this award is richly deserved.

Highly Commended: Joanne Vaughan, Cirencester Dental Practice, Gloucestershire

 

Dental Nurse of the Year – in association with BADN

The Nominees:

  • Jade Cousins, Space Dental, Wakefield
  • Katie Rowe, Smile Together CIC, Bodmin
  • Claire Dennison, Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield
  • Nicola Smith, Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Natalie Daley, South Elmsall Family Dental Centre, Wakefield
  • Cynthia Manyika Manor Park Family Dental Centre, Sheffield
  • Gemma Hinton, Hoyland Family Dental Centre, Barnsley
  • Chloe Clappison, Kingswood Park Dental Clinic, Hull
  • Alexandra Fisher, Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool

The Finalists:

  • Jade Cousins, Space Dental, Wakefield
  • Katie Rowe, Smile Together CIC, Bodmin

    Katie Rowe, Smile Together CIC, Bodmin – Winner: Dental Nurse of the Year

  • Chloe Clappison, Kingswood Park Dental Clinic, Hull
  • Alexandra Fisher, Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool

Winner: Katie Rowe, Smile Together CIC, Bodmin

The judges agreed that Katie is a brilliant Dental Nurse being efficient, caring and inspirational in her willingness to get involved. Katie was one of the first dental nurses working in Cornwall’s first Urgent Dental Care Hub when it became operational at Easter 2020 and has been instrumental in helping others transition to the new way of working.

Highly Commended: Jade Cousins, Space Dental, Wakefield
Commended: Alexandra Fisher, Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool

 

Practice Manager of the Year – in association with ADAM

The Nominees:

  • Chelsea Foster, Treeline Dental Care, Sleaford & Lincoln
  • Kaldeep Sohal, BPI Dental, Birmingham HC
  • Suzie Sonnabend, Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull
  • Sophie Etherington, mydentist Padiham Rd, Burnley W
  • Natasha Evans, Wallasey Village Dental Practice, Wirral
  • Lindsay Jephcote, Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe
  • Jean Henry, Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield
  • Claire Lewis, Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Michaela Bartosova, Sileby Family Dental Centre, Leics
  • Kamila Soja, Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Normanton, Derby
  • Norma Watson, Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere C

    Sophie Etherington, mydentist Padiham Rd, Burnley W – Winner: Practice Manager of the Year

The Finalists:

  • Kuldeep Sohal, BPI Dental, Birmingham HC
  • Suzie Sonnabend, Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull
  • Sophie Etherington, mydentist Padiham Rd, Burnley W
  • Norma Watson, Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere C

Winner: Sophie Etherington, mydentist Padiham Rd, Burnley W

Starting her career as a receptionist, Sophie was soon chosen to progress to Practice Manager. She has since gone from strength to strength, transforming both her original Blackburn practice and the much larger Burnley practice, which she led through the pandemic. She is an excellent manager who readily gives her time to develop her team and improve oral health across the East Lancashire region.

Highly Commended: Kuldeep Sohal, BPI Dental, Birmingham HC

 

Website and Digital Campaign of the Year

The Finalists:

  • Dr Sulaman Anwar, Independent website

    Bow Lane Dental Group, London – Winner: Website and Digital Campaign of the Year

  • Wallasey Village Dental Practice, Wirral
  • Bow Lane Dental Group, London
  • Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool
  • Imogen Dental Benson and Kingsclere

Winner: Bow Lane Dental Group, London

Bow Lane’s new website is beautifully presented and very easy to navigate so patients can easily access details of treatments and the all important pricing. The judges felt this was an excellent and welcoming site that enhances the patient experience.

Highly Commended: Imogen Dental Benson and Kingsclere

 

Best Outreach or Charity Initiative

Dental Buddies, Well Connected, Plymouth – Winner: Best Outreach or Charity Initiative

The Finalists:

  • Dental Buddies, Well Connected, Plymouth
  • Ajay Mehta, Dental Arts Studio, Middlesex
  • Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe ‘On the Door Step’
  • Verwood Dental Care, Dorset, Self-funded Bridge 2 Aid Missions
  • Sulaman Anwar, London, Sufra Foodbank and Kitchen 3

Winner: Dental Buddies, Well Connected, Plymouth

A brilliant scheme aimed at children and their parents, delivered via kids groups such as the Cubs and Brownies exploring the level of sugar content in food and its impact on Oral health.

Highly Commended: Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe ‘On the Door Step’

 

Practice Decontamination Award

Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere – Winner: Practice Decontamination Award

The Finalists:

  • Smile Together CIC, Bodmin
  • Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield, Notts
  • Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Normanton Road Family Dental Centre
  • Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere

Winner: Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere

Like us all Imogen were faced with total shutdown at the start of the pandemic. They quickly realised that it was vital to maintain communication with their patients and did so by using social media and even creating a short advice video for patients.

When coming back after 3 months Imogen ensured that full covid protocols were implemented across the practice so patients could be confident that safety was the number one priority.

In addition to looking after their patients, the team at Imogen instigated a Covid team lead, whose role is to look after the well-being of team members.

 

Dental Team of the Year

The Nominees: 

  • Treeline Dental Care, Sleaford
  • Vitality Dental Care, Edinburgh
  • Kingwood Parks Clinics, Hull
  • Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent C
  • Cavity Dental Staff Agency, Wokingham
  • Euston Place Dental Practice, Leamington Spa, Warwick
  • Honour Health, Jesmond, Newcastle W
  • Beech House Smile Clinic, Dereham
  • Cobbins Brook Smile Clinic, Waltham Abbey
  • Staffa Lodge Smile Clinic, Ipswich
  • Harrow Smile Clinic, Harrow
  • Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe HC
  • Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield, Notts
  • Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • South Elmsall Family Dental Centre, Wakefield
  • Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Normanton, Derby
  • Hoyland Family Dental Centre, Barnsley
  • Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool
  • my dentist Burley Rd Oakham, Rutland C
  • Allington Dental Clinic, Bridport, Dorset
  • Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, Little Venice, London

The Finalists: 

  • Treeline Dental Care, Sleaford
  • Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent
  • Honour Health, Newcastle
  • Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe
  • {my}dentist Burley Rd Oakham, Rutland

    Honour Health, Newcastle – Winner: Dental Team of the Year

Winner: Honour Health, Newcastle

A very well-deserved award for this exceptional team. Honour Health’s focus on creating a positive workplace culture ensures a fun and inviting environment for both staff and patients. The key to this positivity is communication and laughter, so everyone is aware of what is expected of them whilst being encouraged to enjoy life. Hence their mantra ‘Smile More. Live Life’.

Highly Commended: Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe

Commended: 

  • {my}dentist Burley Rd Oakham, Rutland
  • Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent

 

Young Dentist of the Year

Guy Laffan, Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent – Winner: Young Dentist of the Year

The Nominees:

  • Balraj Singh Sohal, Ridgeway Dental, Wimbledon C
  • Justin Underwood, Spring Hill Dental Practice, Tavistock
  • Sulaman Anwar, The Kensington Clinic, London
  • Ajay Metha, Dental Arts Studio, Middlesex
  • Kunal Rai, Bupa Dental Care, Pontefract
  • James Gartshore, Thorpe Lea Dental, Staines
  • Christian Lucas, Castle View Dental Spa, Eccleshall
  • Affan Saghir, Space Dental, Wakefield HC
  • Gulshan Dhanoya, Honour Health, Newcastle
  • Krishan Shah, Smile Cliniq, St Johns Wood, London
  • Anas Ashekhi, Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield
  • Syed Zain-Ul-Aideen, Somercotes Family Dental Centre, Alfreton
  • Hashan Bhojani, Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Satya Gupta, Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Normanton, Derby
  • Rukhsar Hussain, Hoyland Family Dental Centre, Barnsley
  • Jaimini Vadgama, Woodbury Clinic, Tenterden, Kent
  • Raabina Maan Bridge Dental Practice and Cosmetic Studio, Isleworth
  • Amit Patel, my dentist Queensway, Bognor Regis
  • Guy Laffan, Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent W

The Finalists:

  • Balraj Singh Sohal, Ridgeway Dental, Wimbledon
  • Sulaman Anwar, The Kensington Clinic, London
  • Affan Saghir, Space Dental, Wakefield
  • Raabiha Maan Bridge Dental Practice and Cosmetic Studio, Isleworth
  • Guy Laffan, Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent

Winner: Guy Laffan, Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent

The judges were most impressed with Guy’s dedication to his  profession. He demonstrates great leadership qualities and has very close attention to detail. With people like Guy in the profession the future of dentistry is assured with one judge saying they would really love to work with him. High praise indeed.

Highly Commended: Affan Saghir, Space Dental, Wakefield

Commended: Balraj Singh Sohal, Ridgeway Dental, Wimbledon

 

Dentist of the Year

The Nominees:

  • Nicola Z Gore, Totteridge Dental Studio, London HC
  • Martina Hodgson, The Dental Studio, Wakefield
  • Ross Cutts, Cirencester Dental Practice, Gloucestershire
  • Frank Goulbourne, Bancroft Dentistry, Hitchin
  • Samia Khan, Stonydelph Dental Practice, Tamworth
  • Jin J Vaghela, Smile Clinic Group, Harrow W
  • Thuha Jabbar, Peace Dental Centre, London
  • Kishan Patel, Harrow Smile Clinic, Harrow
  • Collins Atalor, Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield, Notts
  • Cristina Perilla, Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Agnieszka Lasek, South Elmsall Family Dental Centre, Wakefield
  • Marcin Cajdler, Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Derby
  • Zaidoon Al-Kenani, Hoyland Family Dental Centre, Barnsley
  • Faiz Khan, Clay Cross Family Dental Centre, Chesterfield
  • Salman Khan, Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool
  • Neel Tank, Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere
  • Pedro Gutierres, Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, Little Venice, London

    Jin J Vaghela, Smile Clinic Group, Harrow W – Winner: Dentist of the Year

The Finalists:

  • Nicola Z Gore, Totteridge Dental Studio, London HC
  • Frank Goulbourne, Bancroft Dentistry, Hitchin
  • Jin J Vaghela, Smile Clinic Group, Harrow W       
  • Neel Tank, Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere
  • Pedro Gutierres, Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, Little Venice, London

Winner: Jin J Vaghela, Smile Clinic Group, Harrow W

Jin has an insatiable passion for dentistry :- not only in developing his own clinical, leadership and mentoring skills, but he has also been inspirational in nurturing the postgraduate development over 3000 dentists in his groups’ Smile Academy. His outstanding presentation of multiple clinical cases is a testament to the excellence of his work.

Highly Commended: Nicola Z Gore, Totteridge Dental Studio, London HC

Commended: Pedro Gutierres, Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, Little Venice, London

 

Dental Practice of the Year

The Nominees:

  • Cirencester Dental Practice, Gloucestershire
  • Vitality Dental Care, Edinburgh
  • Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull
  • Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent HC
  • Perfect Smile Clinic, Sudbury, Suffolk
  • Euston Place Dental Practice, Leamington Spa, Warwick W
  • Honour Health, Jesmond, Newcastle
  • Smile Together CIC, Bodmin
  • Beech House Smile Clinic, Dereham
  • Cobbins Brook Smile Clinic, Waltham Abbey
  • Staffa Lodge Smile Clinic, Ipswich C
  • Harrow Smile Clinic, Harrow
  • The Waterside Dental Clinic, Preston, Lancs
  • Church Street Dental Centre, Wincanton
  • Torrs Park Dental Practice, Ilfracombe
  • Otley Dental Centre, Otley, Leeds
  • Market Place Family Dental Centre, Mansfield, Notts
  • Seven Dental, Hyson Green, Nottingham
  • Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Normanton, Derby
  • Baycliffe Dental and Implant Surgery, Liverpool
  • Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere
  • Creekside Dental Clinic, Deptford, London
  • Oval Dental Clinic, Kennington, London
  • Bancroft Dentistry, Hitchin
  • Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, Little Venice, London

The Finalists:

Euston Place Dental Practice, Leamington Spa, Warwick W – Winner: Dental Practice of the Year

  • Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent HC
  • Euston Place Dental Practice, Leamington Spa, Warwick W
  • Smile Together CIC, Bodmin
  • Staffa Lodge Smile Clinic, Ipswich C
  • Imogen Dental, Benson and Kingsclere

Winner: Euston Place Dental Practice, Leamington Spa, Warwick W

The judges agreed that Euston Place is a progressive practice with an inspirational team. Combining a strong practice ethos with good leadership, teamwork, training and collaboration skills that creates beautiful dentistry and a wonderful patient experience.

Highly Commended: Laffan Dental Care, Blackwood, Gwent HC

Commended: Staffa Lodge Smile Clinic, Ipswich C

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and we offer a virtual round of applause to every one of our nominees.