When I first joined the British Endodontic Society, like many clinicians, I simply wanted to stay connected with developments in endodontics. I respected the Society but, at the time, I had little understanding of the work that went on behind the scenes or how vital its role was in shaping the profession. Fast-forward to today, and I now serve as the Society’s Treasurer, a position that has transformed my professional outlook and deepened my commitment to our community.
My path into endodontics began in earnest in 2019, when I enrolled on an Advanced NHS 5-Day Endodontic Course at Wexham Park Hospital. It was a pivotal moment. The course, led by the excellent Allen Goen and Paul Cruci, gave me not just practical skills, but a renewed sense of purpose. Their clarity and passion for teaching reminded me of how rewarding endodontics could be when approached with precision, curiosity, and confidence.
That course lit a spark. Just after the first COVID lockdown in 2020, I decided to apply for the MSc in Endodontics at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). At 47 years old, it wasn’t a decision I took lightly. Alongside personal responsibilities, I was also running a busy NHS practice, balancing clinical demands, management pressures, and team responsibilities. There was no perfect time, but I felt strongly that it was the right step.
Amusingly, I turned to a couple of unlikely sources for endodontic application advice: a great friend who had recently sold their 18-year-old business (non-dental), a Cambridge graduate, and an A-Level student from Ukraine renting a room in our house. She had just received an offer to study Law at Oxford, and I asked her what Universities were looking for in a personal statement these days (30 years had passed since my last personal statement). Both their insights – write clearly, be authentic, tell your story – helped me frame my motivations honestly. I applied and was delighted and somewhat anxious to be accepted.
The MSc at QMUL was life changing. It challenged me academically and clinically, but also personally. I juggled lectures, assignments, and clinical sessions with the demands of running my NHS practice. During my first year, my mother became seriously ill, and in my second year, she sadly passed away. Her funeral took place the day after my second-year written exams. At the same time, my daughter was going through her GCSEs, and with two younger sons as well, a stressful time for any family, made more so by grief and high expectations.
Looking back, if it had not been for my wife’s strength, bearing the weight of the entire family, and the kindness and understanding of Professor Chong and his staff along with the encouragement from my four colleagues on the course, I couldn’t have fulfilled my quest. Otherwise, I’m not quite sure how I would have managed it at all. I was kept going by all their support. I graduated as a 51-year-old, and that moment meant everything. It was a quiet but powerful reminder that it’s never too late to grow, and never too late to invest in yourself. Life rarely offers a perfect window, but with determination and support, progress is always possible.
During my third and final year of the MSc, a tutor and the course lead encouraged me to stand for election to the Council of the British Endodontic Society (BES). I was hesitant at first, I didn’t see myself as someone who belonged in that space. But their encouragement stayed with me, and in February 2023, I stood for election, simply wanting to contribute and be part of the conversation. I was honoured to be elected.
Joining the council opened my eyes to the true scope of the Society’s work. The BES doesn’t just host conferences or offer CPD, it’s involved in advocacy, education, research support, and professional development at every stage of a clinician’s career. It fosters a strong community where ideas and expertise are shared generously.
Two years later, I stepped into the role of Treasurer. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Managing the Society’s finances is about enabling impact: supporting bursaries and research, funding events, and ensuring long-term sustainability. It’s strategic work, grounded in purpose and I’m proud to contribute in this way.
What I value most is the sense of connection. The BES brings together professionals at every stage – students, general dentists, academics, specialists – and creates a space where we learn from each other. The community is strong, and the shared vision for excellence in endodontics is energising.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue helping the Society grow to stay financially strong, strategically focused, and inclusive of all those passionate about endodontics. The dental landscape is evolving rapidly, and the BES has a vital role to play in leading through change.
If there’s one message I’d like to share, it’s this: it’s never too late to further yourself. There’s never a perfect time. Life will always present challenges whether it’s grief, family, or the day-to-day demands of clinical practice. But if something truly matters, you’ll find a way. I did, it has changed my life and is still evolving. The experience of studying later in my career not only allowed me to share my clinical experience and knowledge with my younger fellow postgraduate students but now having sold my practice I am fully immersed in my practice limited to endodontics. I’m deeply grateful to all those who encouraged me to take that first step and to all the council members, past and present of the Society that have given me the chance to grow and give back.
Promote, educate, advance – BES motto.
For more information about the BES, or to join, please visit the website www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk or call 07762945847
