Dr David Edwards is a member of the British Endodontic Society (BES) council. He shares a little bit about himself and his career:
I have a fairly broad clinical background. After two years as a general professional trainee, I served in the Royal Army Dental Corps for 12 years. During this time, I completed tours throughout the UK and overseas, including Afghanistan and Kenya. I also completed several postgraduate qualifications with a focus on restorative dentistry and medical education during my time in the Army. In addition, I completed combined academic and speciality training at Newcastle University in 2025. I currently work for Newcastle University, combining specialist clinical service delivery with research and education. My main research interests include pulp biology, orofacial pain, vital pulp treatments, medical education and forensic odontology. I am currently the Degree Programme Director for the MClinDent in Endodontics at Newcastle University, as well as a lecturer on a number of other undergraduate and postgraduate courses. I also maintain my primary care practice, operating a private endodontic referral service at Cleadon Dental Practice in South Tyneside. I am currently the President of the North of England Odontological Society which provides education and networking events.
Although I am new to the BES council, I hope that my broad and diverse clinical background will enable me to contribute to the society’s aims. I am especially passionate about supporting research and education, having previously received a research grant from the BES. This grant enabled me to obtain pilot data, which ultimately resulted in the award of doctoral research fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Wellcome Trust.
Dr Edwards describes the factors that made him select endodontics as a focus and the aspects he enjoys most about it:
There are several aspects of restorative dentistry which I enjoy, but during my master’s degree, I developed a passion for endodontics, and decided that it would become my main focus. I thoroughly enjoy working out ways to overcome challenges and thinking outside of the box, which fits nicely into endodontics. I have always enjoyed surgery, and the opportunity to undertake endodontic microsurgery is particularly rewarding for me. Working in secondary care enables me to take on more advanced cases, where there really is no ‘text-book’ answer and you have to just apply the latest literature to come up with a solution, often using a multidisciplinary approach.
When it comes to BES membership, there are numerous benefits for practitioners interested in endodontics. Dr Edwards describes his journey with the BES:
I have been a member for about 8 years. It feels good to support endodontic education, research and promotion in the UK, and it also gives amazing networking opportunities. No doubt, I enjoy the networking most! Something as simple as ‘putting a face to the name’, or those ‘corridor chats’ which go on to form research collaborations and long-lasting friendships.
In addition, the links to the European Society of Endodontics are very beneficial. After the first conference I attended, I met a number of influential academic endodontists, and went on to publish several papers with them over the last few years. Keeping in touch with the society enables me to keep up-to-date with the latest research and guidelines which I can implement in my own practice and embed in my educational programmes.
Outside of work, Dr Edwards offers an insight into what keeps him busy:
Most of my time is devoted to my family – my wife (Helen) and I have two children, Phoebe (12) and Max (8), who have many hobbies and interests which keep us busy! In my limited spare time, I like to keep fit on the Peleton, do a bit of gardening and I play bass in a pop-punk tribute band – ‘Skint £1.82’. I have been involved in music for most of my life, and it’s great to still get the chance to play!
For more information about the BES, or to join, please visit the website www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk or call 07762945847
