Month: June 2019

Sale achieved

“After my practice had been on the market for a few years with another agency, I changed to Dental Elite. I was pleased to finally receive a sensible offer, which I was more than happy to accept in light of the market knowledge shared with me by Dental Elite.”

Dr Mohammed Othman is one of many venders who have successfully sold a dental practice with Dental Elite.

“The sale process was very lengthy, frustrating and sometimes daunting, however, Dental Elite were very supportive, helpful and constantly in communication with both solicitors. They always kept me updated and the team were very helpful after the sale, when some minor issues were raised.

“In addition, all the NHS and CQC elements of the process were taken care of efficiently. I would certainly recommend Dental Elite.”

 

 

For more information contact Dental Elite. Visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.ukor call 01788 545 900

Harness innovation to enhance the patient experience – Phillip Silver

Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers form one of the largest segments of modern society. By 2029, the last of the baby boomers will reach the age of 65 and in the next 30 years, these individuals are likely to be those in the greatest need of dental care and treatments to restore, maintain and replace the dentition.

Fortuitously, this generation has enjoyed the security of economic growth, a ‘cradle to grave’ welfare system and after the establishment of the NHS in 1948, baby boomers have had access to the dental care that previous generations were unable to afford. Nevertheless, during the early years, general NHS dentists were remunerated with a “fee per item” treatment system in order to meet the demands of the nation’s previously untreated mouths. This method of payment placed an emphasis on quantity of care rather than quality and it has been reported that a significant amount of unnecessary treatment was carried out. In the mid 1970s the flaws of the system were recognised and the remuneration system and structure of NHS dentistry was reformed.[i]Yet, it was not until this time that dental professionals were actively encouraged to provide preventative care and educate patients on oral health matters.

Most baby boomers now understand the concept of preventive dentistry, and can reasonably expect to keep at least some of their natural teeth for life.[ii]However, it is likely that they will have experienced numerous dental procedures and are often referred to as the ‘heavy-metal generation’ as they present with a high number of fillings and other restorations. This poses further challenges for the dental profession as many of these restorations are not expected to last a lifetime and dentists may need to deliver complex treatment plans to repair or replace them. Additionally, the effects of ageing can also impact on oral health and place individuals at an increased risk of periodontal disease or decay to teeth that are already heavily restored or in a weakened state.

It is important to remember that this group of patients do not consider themselves to be old. In fact, baby boomers are highly focused on self-improvement and maintaining a youthful appearance and lifestyle. What is more, this generation are likely to seek out and make use of the latest technology and advancements to achieve it. Consequently, dental professionals need to be able to offer highly innovative solutions to meet the oral health needs of this cohort, as well as their expectations.

To replace missing teeth with a modern, premium solution, patients can now opt for a removable partial denture created with Ultaire®AKP. This is an advanced, metal-free denture base material that has been developed by Solvay Dental 360®specifically for removable partial dentures (RPDs). Frames created with Ultaire®AKP can be designed in the digital workflow to offer a long lasting, customised fit. Plus, bridging the gap between metal and flexibleRPDs, Ultaire®AKP offers a biocompatible, lightweight, natural feelingand more aesthetically pleasing alternative. Certainly, by harnessing innovation, dental professionals can offer solutions that accelerate dentistry and improve the overall patient experience.

 

To book a Solvay Dental 360®Professional Lunch and Learn or to find more information on Ultaire®AKP and Dentivera®milling discs,
please visit www.solvaydental360.com

 

References

[i]Improving NHS Dentistry. CM2625. July 1994. Annex A. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/272023/2625.pdf[Accessed 13th March 2019]

[ii]The Information Centre for health and social care. National Statistics.

 Complexity and maintenance – a report from the Adult Dental Health Survey 2009. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-dental-health-survey/adult-dental-health-survey-2009-summary-report-and-thematic-series. [Accessed 13th March 2019]

The new found stress of a final year student

Embarking on her dental career, Charlotte Gentry considers the pressure placed on dental students.

I am sure I’ve written about stress at some point earlier on in my dental career. However, on just completing the written aspect of my finals examinations I feel it needs to be addressed again as it has been on a whole new level.

Throughout the whole course, the stress has obviously been there and we are constantly bombarded with ‘the stress when you become a dentist is so much worse than what you’re experiencing now’ or ‘you wait until you’re in the real world. I have absolutely no doubt that practicing is highly taxing, but is it really comparable? I think everything is relative and what seems like a fairly straightforward situation to one, can be extremely taxing to another.

The past few months I have found extremely difficult. It has to be said, I have hugely neglected myself. The pressure of finals and the fear of failure have meant I have worked round the clock seven days a week. This has not only been at the expense of my relationship (I quite honestly don’t know how my partner has put up with me – and its fair to say he now realises how much I do around the house!) but also, my health and finances. I have had to sacrifice much needed shifts in order to study and that has put stress on me in another dimension, just making things worse. I felt that I didn’t have time to stand cooking healthy meals, so I’ve eaten junk. I absolutely know that this is completely the wrong thing to do and can actually hinder your learning – but everyone knows what it feels like to feel consumed by something.

I guess some people may be thinking – blimey how is she going to cope with the demands of being a practicing dentist? I like to think I’m someone who can leave what happens at work, at work. I’ve hated having to finish my day at university and come home and think about it again in order to study. I am actually very much looking forward to the 9-5 and then not having exams or assignments to study for when I get home. However, as I said, I am not undermining the stress of working life – but I really do believe it is all relative and perhaps the stresses of university are what prepare us for dealing with the demands when we get into practice.

Mental health of students is something that has been in the media of late. I genuinely believe that this course has had a negative impact on so many people’s mental health. To be honest, dentistry as a whole clearly has some impact on dentists health, as we as a career have one of the highest suicide rates. I look around at fellow students and have seen changes in them. Heightened anxiety, exhaustion and insecurity are definitely prevalent and have been traits we have developed over the five years due to the pressures and expectations.

Although I feel that stress and mental health wasn’t hugely addressed in my first years, I am so pleased to see that Birmingham have really recognised the feelings amongst students. We have had some amazing resilience training bought to us by professionals to help us cope with stress and our welfare tutors are incredible. Our tutors have openly recognised the pressures on the younger generation these days, not only at university, but outside too and to know someone understands and has realised this, is actually really nice to hear.

I have no doubt my practicing life will be stressful, but in a different way.

I will take the lessons I have learnt from University forward with me to enable me to cope with whatever is thrown my way.

BADN WELCOMES STATEMENT ON REFLECTIVE PRACTICE

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, welcomes the joint statement issued by regulators – including the General Dental Council (GDC) – on the benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner.

“The information in the joint statement is helpful in a broad sense” said Jacqui Elsden, BADN’s Education Representative and President-elect, “but dental nurses find it increasingly difficult to secure protected time in the workplace to implement effective reflective practice with colleagues.

“BADN would therefore welcome further statements from the GDC advising employers to grant protected time to dental nurses (and other registrants) to complete regular peer review meetings, appraisals and also to meet their CPD requirements,  to ensure that all registrants can develop meaningful life-long learning and a reflective journey, to the benefit of patients.

“We look forward to discussing this further at the National Dental Nursing Conference in November when Colin MacKenzie, the GDC’s Head of Nations and Engagement, will be updating delegates.”

Endodontic therapy and the elderly patient – Mark Allen – Coltene

The challenge that the UK’s ageing population will present to health and social care provision is a pertinent topic. In 1948, when the NHS was founded, just over half of the population lived beyond the age of 65; now that figure is around 14 per cent.[i]Although there is new evidence that life expectancy is stalling[ii], according to projections over 20 per cent of the UK will be aged 65 or over by 2027.[iii]

Advances in research, science and technology have given us wonderful things, but a longer life isn’t always a healthier one. Dentists, like healthcare professionals in every discipline, will be treating more patients who are physically and mentally frail and find it hard to communicate. Older patients can lack the dexterity to clean their teeth properly and diet is often poor because shopping for and preparing healthy meals from scratch is problematic. They may miss routine appointments. Older adults can be susceptible to xerostomia and impaired salivary flow can cause a range of oral health problems, such as a propensity to dental caries. The patient may wear dentures, or the teeth may be heavily restored following decades of wear and tear. Gingival recession is more common in the elderly too.  

 

On a positive note, tooth retention has increased. In the last Adult Dental Health Survey, the majority of adults in everyage group – including the over 85s – were dentate; the first time this has been the case in the series.[iv]This also reflects the increasing trend to want to avoid extraction (if possible) and preserve the natural teeth. This will apply to your older patients too and is another challenge that dentists will be facing.

The modern dental landscape has shifted towards prevention, but practitioners will be treating elderly patients who may have been subject to years of dental disease and invasive procedures – even if they do present with a generally good level of oral health. Endodontic therapy will be required in some cases, to maintain their level of oral wellbeing that, in turn, will support general good health. Endodontics to save a tooth from extraction may be deemed necessary if the tooth is needed in order to help support surrounding prostheses in place. Other strategic reasons to treat a patient endodontically include if extraction would affect function, speech and eating and/or aesthetics. Practitioners should not underestimate the impact that poor aesthetics can have on the confidence and self-esteem of elderly patients. Being too embarrassed to speak or smile can be devastating, exacerbating any feelings of social isolation, loneliness and ultimately depression that are common for this vulnerable demographic.

During treatment planning for elderly endodontic patients, there are many risk factors that need to be taken into consideration before proceeding. Consent to dental treatment means that they understand the alternatives, limitations and consequences as well as what the process entails, including rehabilitation and aftercare. The elderly patient must be motivated to maintain their oral health following endodontic therapy. A full and thorough assessment of medical as well as dental history is important. Pre-tests, as well as the usual radiographs, will need to determine if and how old age has affected the pulp and surrounding tissue. There is the possibility of various pulpal changes due to ageing – including a decrease in the number and size of pulpal cells, vascular changes and arteriosclerotic changes – as well as issues due to dentine formation.

Once the patient has consented to treatment and all the relevant checks have taken place, efficient and ethical preparation is key. Proper irrigation of the root canal system will increase the chances of the treatment being a success. Reinfection for an elderly patient could have devastating consequence, so all debris and microorganisms must be assiduously removed. Along with scrupulous cleansing, the impact of any injury to this delicate area for elderly, vulnerable patients would be tremendous. In order to achieve endodontic success for these individuals, the practitioner must not only have the required level of skill, but selecting the right products and tools is fundamental. CanalPro™ Irrigation Solutions from COLTENE can be used for the irrigation/debridement of root canals during and after instrumentation. Multiple solutions are available to achieve a variety of goals, such as dissolving vital and necrotic tissue and lubricating the canal system. In order to cleanse well, the canals must be enlarged and shaped properly and endodontic practitioners might want to try the HyFlex™ EDM NiTi files, also from COLTENE.

Dental professionals will not only be treating more elderly patients in the future, but more edentate elderly patients, who want to avoid extraction just as much as younger ones do. Get endodontics right for this age group and you can dramatically improve both their general as well as their oral health related quality of life. Successful endodontic therapy for elderly adults requires skill, excellent planning and the very best tools for consistently successful outcomes.

To find out more visit www.coltene.com, email info.uk@coltene.comor call 01444 235486

 

References

[i]Making our health care systems fit for an ageing population. The King’s Fund. Published 6 March 2014. Link: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/making-our-health-and-care-systems-fit-ageing-population(accessed November 2018).

[ii]Stalling life expectancy in the UK. The King’s Fund. Published 28 September 2018. Link: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/stalling-life-expectancy-uk(accessed November 2018).

[iii]Office for National Statistics. Overview of the UK population: November 2018. Release date: 1 November 2018. Link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/overviewoftheukpopulation/november2018 – the-uk-population-is-ageing(accessed November 2018).

[iv]Adult Dental Health Survey 2009 – summary report and thematic series. NHS Digital. Published 24 March 2011. Link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-dental-health-survey/adult-dental-health-survey-2009-summary-report-and-thematic-series(accessed November 2018).

BDA welcomes the removal of wrong-site blocks from ‘never events’ list

Thanks to lobbying by the British Dental Association, dentists will no longer have to report giving a local anaesthetic at the wrong-site as a ‘never event’.

The BDA had long argued with NHS England and NHS Improvement that wrong-site blocks should be regarded as patient-safety incidents because they do not meet the threshold of a never-event. These are defined by the NHS as wholly preventable – due to the systemic barriers in place – and have the potential to cause serious harm or death.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have agreed to this change, which the BDA believes is the correct approach and will put an end to the unnecessary and highly stressful investigations associated with never-events.

Chair of BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, Dave Cottam, said:

“The original classification of a wrong-site block as a never-event was akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

“In my role as a clinical tutor in a dental school, I have seen first-hand the mayhem that can occur when a student has done a wrong-site block. It created a terrible stigma for the poor student concerned and patients could be left waiting longer for treatment when dental blocks were suspended during the subsequent investigation.

“The stigma and fear surrounding a never-event is horrific for any dentist (as for any healthcare professional) to go through and was a completely disproportionate response to something that can occur even when a dentist follows the guidelines on wrong-site blocks to the letter.

“It’s gratifying that NHS England and NHS Improvement have agreed to a pragmatic and sensible change without compromising on patient safety.”

The imperfect patient – Dr Boota Uhbi

While every effort must be taken to ensure patients receive the best treatment possible, many patients unfortunately do not take such pains over their own health. This can contribute to acute and systemic conditions, or in some cases create complications that could otherwise be avoided. This can create unusual challenges for the team providing dental care.

 

Oral hygiene

Failure to maintain adequate oral hygiene is the leading preventable factor behind many dental problems. Brushing teeth twice a day is recommended, yet nearly a third of Britons only brush once a day, while a further 1 in 50 don’t brush daily.[1]Dental biofilm bacteria are well established as the main cause of dental diseases, such as gingivitis, when left undisturbed.[2]Patients who brush infrequently are at greater risk of developing carious lesions.[3]Poor oral hygiene has been found to cause as much as a fivefold increase in risk of developing periodontitis, and is likewise the major risk factor for peri-implantitis.[4],[5]

 

DIY dentistry

While tooth extractions are routine, they are none the less a surgical procedure, and as with any type of surgery are not totally without risk. Complications from a tooth extraction can include bleeding, nerve injury, dry socket and infection.

It’s also unfortunately not unheard of for laypeople to attempt to extract their own teeth and it takes only seconds to find YouTube videos and how-to guides created by members of the public on how to perform extractions and other procedures (questionable methods of tooth whitening, using elastic bands as makeshift braces etc.).[6],[7]

Dental pain can be excruciating and circumstances can sometimes drive people to take pliers to the offending tooth. Because such efforts necessarily take place outside of the system, reporting of this problem is anecdotal in nature, preventing accurate statistics and making it impossible to gauge how commonplace this practice is. Where it does occur, amateur attempts at dentistry can result in the tooth breaking, damage to surrounding teeth, failure to remove the tooth completely, damage to the gums and underlying bone, infection – the potential for complications is enormous. It’s more than likely that patients who attempt their own extractions will ultimately require much more extensive care from a qualified dental practitioner afterwards, if not a visit to the emergency room.[8]

 

Substance abuse

“Meth mouth” caused by methamphetamines addiction is perhaps the most infamous example of the destruction drug abuse can wreck upon the oral cavity. However, while usage is increasing within Britain, only around one in a thousand people currently abuse meth. Much more commonly seen in the UK is cocaine, with in excess of 3 million people in England and Wales having taken the drug. In Britain, cocaine is the most common and frequently used illegal drug after cannabis, with 6% of 16-24 year olds reporting taking the drug in the past year (which may not reflect the true scale of the problem). While cocaine has increased in availability and decreased in relative cost over time, usage levels are significantly higher among those earning £40,000 or more.[9]

Cocaine can have numerous orofacial effects that can complicate dental treatment. Around 1 in 20 users will develop nasal septum perforation, and more than half exhibit olfactory changes and chronic sinusitis. Cocaine causes vasoconstriction, inducing local ischemia which can in turn cause necrosis of the septum and surrounding tissues (possibly causing gingival lesions in some cases). The hard palate can become significantly perforated, a complication that is substantially more prevalent in female users (80% of cases). Treatment of palatal necrosis requires complete cessation of the drug followed by surgical reconstruction. Cocaine is typically supplied in an impure form, and the substances it has been cut with can cause chemical irritation. Cocaine can also cause adverse reactions to various anaesthetics.[10],[11]

 

Bruxism is a possible side effect of certain psychoactive substances, both legal and illegal. Alcohol, heavy caffeine use and smoking have all been linked to bruxism.[12]Bruxism has also been associated with some psychological conditions and states of mind, which may lead a patient to self-medicate (depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, stress, emotional instability, etc.), potentially causing further complications and frustrating efforts to isolate the root cause of the problem.[13]

 

Anticipating complications

 

If you are faced with a complex case and need support, working with the team at BPI Dental is a great solution. BPI Dental offers different levels of referrals; from second opinions all the way up to full case referral, we can accommodate you and your patient. Between our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, you can have full confidence in our ability to offer the highest standard of patient care and assistance.

Patients are people, with all the potential complicating factors that can entail. As dental practitioners we are limited to treating one aspect of the patient’s health, yet many other factors of their overall wellbeing can create complications within our sphere. Many of these are outside of the patient’s control, while others may well be behaviours that they can address or seek help for. The body is a deeply interconnected system. By understanding the potential ramifications of psychological and behavioural issues upon the patient’s oral wellbeing, we can more readily anticipate certain complications and plan treatment accordingly, ensuring better outcomes for all patients.

 

For more information on the referral service available from Birmingham Periodontal & Implant (BPI) Dental, visitwww.bpidental.co.uk, call 0121 427 3210 or email info@bpidental.co.uk

 

References

[1]Smith M. Three in ten Brits only brush their teeth once a day. YouGov.2017. https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2017/10/23/three-ten-brits-only-brush-their-teeth-once-dayMarch 1, 2019.

[2]Larsen T., Fiehn N. Dental biofilm infections – an update.  APMIS. 2017; 125(4): 376-384. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apm.12688March 1, 2019.

[3]Holmes, R. Tooth brushing frequency and risk of new carious lesions. Evidence-Based Dentistry. 2016; 17(4): 98–99.https://www.nature.com/articles/6401196March 1, 2019.

[4]Lertpimonchai A., Rattanasiri S., Vallibhakara S., Attia J., Thakkinstian A. The association between oral hygiene and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Dental Journal. 2017; 67(6): 332-343. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724709/March 1, 2019.

[5]Larsen T., Fiehn N. Dental biofilm infections – an update.  APMIS. 2017; 125(4): 376-384. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apm.12688March 1, 2019.

[6]Omran A. DIY whitening. British Dental Journal. 2017; 223(4): 239. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2017.696March 1, 2019.

[7]British Orthodontic Society. BOS statement: do-it-yourself braces. BOS.https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/BOS-Statements/BOS-Statement-Do-it-yourself-bracesMarch 1, 2019.

[8]Jadun S., Monaghan L., Darcey J. DIY dentistry: clip-on veneer. British Dental Journal.2018; 224(8): 557. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2018.314March 1, 19.

[9]Home Office. Drug misuse: findings from the 2017/18 crime survey for England and Wales. UK.GOV. 2018. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-2017-to-2018-csewMarch 1, 2019.

[10]Blanksma C., Brand H. Cocaine abuse: orofacial manifestations and implications for dental treatment. International Dental Journal. 2005; 55(6): 365-369. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1875-595X.2005.tb00047.xMarch 1, 2019.

[11]Brand H., Gonggrijp S., Blanksma C. Cocaine and oral health.British Dental Journal. 2008; 204: 365-369. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2008.244March 1, 2019.

[12]Bertazzo-Silveira E., Kruger C., Porto De Toledo I., Porporatti A., Dick B., Flore-Mir C., De Luca Canto G. Association between sleep bruxism and alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drug abuse: a systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2016; 147(11): 859-866. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(16)30541-4/fulltextMarch 1, 2019.

[13]Kuhn M., Türp J. Risk factors for bruxism. Swiss Dental Journal. 2018; 128(2): 118-124. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323757336_Risk_factors_for_bruxismMarch 1, 2019.

Rodericks helps to train two clinical officers with Bridge2Aid

Rodericks Dental is proud to have donated £6,240 to Bridge2Aid in 2018 as part of a special scheme arranged between the charity and Lloyds Bank.

Shaenna Loughnane, Chief Executive of Bridge2Aid, said:

“For us, the regular donation is fantastic because we know that money is coming in at certain intervals throughout the year. This helps us to plan our programmes more effectively and budget for the year.

“The £6,240 would have paid for the training of two clinical officers. This means that as a direct result of Rodericks’ donations, approximately 30,000 more people received dental care last year, which is amazing.”

If any practices are interested in getting involved and supporting this inspiring cause, contact Bridge2Aid today!

 

 For more information on what Bridge2Aid does or how you can get involved, visit www.bridge2aid.org

 For details about Rodericks Dental,

please visit www.rodericksdental.co.ukor call 01604 602491

#wearerodericks

QUEEN MARY DENTAL PROFESSOR BECOMES FIRST BRITISH WINNER OF PRESTIGEOUS VARSHNEYA AWARD

Professor Robert Hill, chair of dental physical sciences at Queen Mary University of London, has received the Varshneya Award for his pioneering research into halogen bioactive glasses for dental applications. 

Professor Hill, the first British scientist to win this award, was presented with his prize at the 25th International Glass Congress in Boston.  The Award was made by the American Ceramic Society.

An expert on fluorine containing glasses and glass-ceramics, Professor Hill initially worked on high fluorine content glasses used in steel making which lead to the development of fluorine containing bioactive glasses.

In 2009, Professor Hill moved from Imperial College to Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry to exploit fluoride glass technology in the dental field and was a founder of Biomin Technologies Ltd in 2014.

“It is a huge honour to receive this award and I am delighted that, through Biomin, the science behind my work is being widely used to improve oral wellbeing across the world,” said Professor Hill.

Biomin toothpastes contain the special glasses that Professor Hill and his team developed. These glasses dissolve slowly over 10-12 hours releasing calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions. “It is this slow release which is particularly beneficial compared to conventional toothpastes where the fluoride is washed away by salivary flow fairly quickly after toothbrushing,” explained Professor Hill.

Biomin Technologies now sells its toothpastes across Europe, China, India and Australia and the company is licensing its technology to dental companies for varnishes, composite fillings and adhesives.

The American Ceramic Society comprises more than 11,000 scientists, engineers and researchers as well as manufacturers, educators and marketing professionals from more than 70 countries.

Professor Hill has published over 260 refereed papers and filed over 20 patents. He is currently also research director for the Institute of Dentistry in London.

Speaking after the award Professor Arun Varshneya said, “Professor Hill’s talk was an excellent example of translating research in the laboratory into products and is exactly what I wanted to encourage by founding this Award.”

New Vice Deans at FGDP

Abhi Pal and Roshni Karia have been inaugurated as the new Vice Deans of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP(UK)).

Abhi has represented the West Midlands on the FGDP(UK) Board since 2014, and becomes Senior Vice Dean. The principal of a mixed NHS-and-private practice in Edgbaston, as well an experienced dento-legal expert witness, he has chaired the Faculty’s Education and Professional Affairs Committees and served as Junior Vice Dean from 2016-17.

Based in Surrey, Roshni qualified at Kings College London in 2010, and is an Associate Dentist in general practice as well as a clinical tutor in periodontology. She was elected to the Board in 2017 to represent the South East and South West Thames divisions, having previously served as an Early Career Representative, and at 32 is the Faculty’s youngest ever Vice Dean.

The new Vice Deans were elected by the Board for one-year terms, and succeed Onkar Dhanoya and Mark Richardson.

Ian Mills, Dean of FGDP(UK), commented:

“On behalf of all members of the Faculty, I congratulate Abhi and Roshni on their election as Vice-Deans. This is an exciting time for FGDP (UK) as we move towards establishment of an independent College of General Dentistry. I am extremely fortunate to be supported by such knowledgeable and committed individuals as Abhi and Roshni, whose combined experience and insight into general practice will undoubtedly benefit the profession. 

“I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to Onkar and Mark for their advice, support and hard work over the last twelve months, and I am delighted that they will continue to play a pivotal role within the Faculty.”