appointment

Agilio Software Announces New Senior Appointments to Lead on Further Growth and Expansion

Leading healthcare technology firm, Agilio Software, has announced Neil Laycock as its new Chief Executive Officer and Andy Sloan as its new Dental Managing Director, to support the continued growth of the Group.

Agilio Software has quickly established itself as one of the leading technology providers in the primary care, dental, and hospital sectors – providing compliance, HR, and e-learning software solutions to over 70,000 dental professionals in the UK and 4,400 GP practices in England.

Mr Laycock joined the Agilio group in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer, arriving with over 15 years of experience in senior roles across the healthcare and technology sectors. His previous roles included Managing Director of EMIS Health and Managing Director of Servelec’s Community, Mental Health, and Acute business.

As COO, Mr Laycock managed and oversaw several significant milestones within the Agilio group, including the acquisition and integration of the dental software firms CODE and Isopharm, Myhrtoolkit, and primary care software solutions providers Clarity Informatics and My Locum Manager.

Starting from December, Mr Sloan will join as the new Managing Director of Agilio’s Dental division, bringing over 15 years of senior leadership experience across the dental industry both on the supply side as well as within corporate groups. He most recently held the position of Business Development Director for Portman Dental Care, overseeing more than 100 practice acquisitions, as well as previously working as Director of Business Solutions across Europe at Henry Schein.

On the appointment, Mr Laycock said: “Since joining the business back in 2020, I have been so impressed by our team and how they’ve come together to navigate Agilio through this period of exceptional growth. I am honoured to be leading this team into the next phase of Agilio Software, with our ambition to expand our reach and expertise into new healthcare sectors and regions to help answer the needs of users and ensure they have the time to focus on the things that matter most.”

Andy Sloan

Mr Sloan said: “It is very exciting to be joining Agilio Software at this stage and become part of the company’s ambitious plan to transform the way that dental practices operate through utilising our software and services.

Having worked in the industry for over a decade, I have had first-hand insight and experience of the key challenges that both, dental groups, and independent practices are facing when running their businesses. With Agilio’s wide range of software solutions and expertise I am looking forward to helping the industry get to improved operational efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and placing professional development at the heart of their businesses.”

Dr Sati Sian, Chairman of Agilio Software added: “Over the past two years, Neil has played a crucial part in our rapid growth, and we are delighted that he will be leading the business’s continued expansion. Andy brings huge knowledge and experience of the dental sector to Agilio, and we are very delighted to have him join our senior leadership group.

Our team is the main reason for our rapid growth so far, and these appointments strengthen an already strong team at Agilio. We are excited to be working with this team and their expertise to meet the needs of our users quickly and effectively, and to expand to new sectors.”

Dentsply Sirona Appoints Simon Campion as Chief Executive Officer

Dentsply Sirona today announced that Simon Campion has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and will join the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”), effective September 12, 2022. He succeeds John Groetelaars, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since April 2022. Mr. Groetelaars will continue to serve on the Board.  

Mr. Campion joins Dentsply Sirona from Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”), where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and President of the Medical segment and prior to that served as President of the Interventional segment following BD’s acquisition of C. R. Bard. He previously held several leadership roles across the C. R. Bard organization, including leading the Surgery business unit. 

With the hiring of Mr. Campion, the Board has requested a full review of the Company’s business and operations including competitive positioning and portfolio, margin enhancement opportunities, and capital structure.

Eric K. Brandt, Chairman of the Dentsply Sirona Board, said, “Simon’s appointment follows a comprehensive search process to identify the right leader to help the Company deliver on its strategic and financial goals. Simon is a high-integrity, transformational leader with a record of world-class operational expertise and sustainable growth.  In his 25 years in the medical device industry, Simon has led global business units, driven commercial execution, and developed and executed strategies to expand innovation and generate revenue growth at scale. During his tenure at BD, Simon delivered above-market annualized revenue growth, accelerated the segments’ M&A activity, and expanded the organic innovation agenda. We believe Simon’s values and leadership, will be highly impactful in moving the Company forward particularly as the Company prepares to complete the ongoing Audit Committee review, improve operational rigor, and drive accountability.”

Mr. Campion said, “It’s an honour to join Dentsply Sirona and have the opportunity to lead this great team. During my career, I’ve developed a clear understanding of what it takes for a global healthcare company to succeed, and I am confident that with its strong foundation of industry-leading products and patient-driven innovation, Dentsply Sirona is well-positioned to capitalize on the market opportunities ahead and deliver long-term growth and value creation.” 

Mr. Brandt continued, “The Board is most grateful to the employees of Dentsply Sirona for their patience, resiliency, and commitment to our providers and patients during this time of uncertainty as the Company prepares for completion of the ongoing Audit Committee review. Additionally, the Board thanks John Groetelaars for his service as Interim Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, John put in place management systems that are key to focusing and advancing the Company’s top priorities and set an exemplary standard of integrity and accountability. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his expertise on the Board.” 

Mr. Groetelaars said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Dentsply Sirona’s Interim CEO. Over the last several months, I’ve gained deep insight into Dentsply Sirona’s business, operations, and opportunities. Dentsply Sirona has a solid strategy in place, and I am eager to apply the perspectives I’ve gained as I continue to support the Company’s progress from the Board.” 

About Simon Campion 

Simon Campion previously served as Executive Vice President & President of the Interventional and Medical segments at BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). When BD acquired C. R. Bard in 2017, he initially led the integration of the BD & Bard Surgery businesses into a single business unit and upon taking on the role of Executive Vice President & President of Interventional, a $4.2 billion segment in 2021, led the broader segment through integration, and oversaw the global strategic, financial and innovation performance of the segment. Mr. Campion’s leadership generated revenue growth at scale through expansion of the segment’s organic innovation agenda and acceleration of its M&A objectives. Prior to BD’s acquisition of C. R. Bard, Mr. Campion held several leadership roles across the C. R. Bard organization in the U.S. and Internationally, including President of the Surgery business unit. Previously he held marketing and R&D roles at Cook Medical and Boston Scientific.  

Mr. Campion earned a Bachelor of Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick, Ireland and an MBA from the Open University in the UK. 

Eugene Chan appointed first overseas CGDent Ambassador

The College of General Dentistry has announced the appointment of Dr Eugene Chan as an ambassador.

Drawn from a variety of backgrounds, College Ambassadors have a remit to advocate for the College’s mission and vision, and Dr Chan’s appointment further expands the range of expertise and scope of influence within its ambassadorial team.

Eugene Kin Keung Chan is the principal of a multi-disciplinary dental group practice in Hong Kong, where he was born and raised, and the Dental CEO of Union Medical Healthcare. He graduated BDS from the University of Adelaide in 1988, and later attained the certificate of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada, memberships of the FGDP(UK), Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) and the Hong Kong College of Dental Surgeons, and the FGDP(UK) Diploma and Advanced Certificate in Implant Dentistry.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Dr Chan is a visiting professor at Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and was previously a part-time Clinical Lecturer in the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Dentistry.  For ten years he was also an Examiner for the FGDP and RCS.

A past President of both the Australian Doctors & Dentists of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Dental Association, he has also served as Co-Chairman of the 26th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress, Vice President of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, a member of the Dental Council of Hong Kong, and a Governor of Prince Philip Dental Hospital.

In 2006, he was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the FGDP for his contribution to continuing dental education, and he also holds fellowships of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Academy of Dentistry International.

Outside of dentistry, he has been a member of the Advisory Committee of the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University, the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee and the Council of City University of Hong Kong, as well as both Chairman and President of the Association of Hong Kong Professionals, and an independent non-executive director of PuraPharm Corporation. He has also served on over 15 government committees and was made a Justice of the Peace in 2011 and awarded a Bronze Bauhinia Star for meritorious public service in 2016.

Co-author of eleven books, and host of a health awareness television show, he publishes news articles about Hong Kong, previously hosted a current affairs television programme and was Chairman of the Board of Advisors of Radio Television Hong Kong.

Dr Chan is the College’s sixteenth ambassador to be appointed, and the first based outside the UK. Previously appointed College Ambassadors include:

  • Dr Louise Belfield, Associate Professor of Biomedical and Oral Health Sciences, Peninsula Dental School
  • Professor Jonathan Cowpe, former Director of Postgraduate Dental Education in Wales
  • Dr Shelagh Farrell, Founder Member of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK
  • Dr Marina Harris, Senior Lecturer and Periodontology Lead, University of Portsmouth Dental Academy
  • Professor Jacky Hayden CBE, President, Academy of Medical Educators
  • Professor Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet
  • Dame Parveen Kumar DBE, Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Education, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
  • Professor Jason Leitch CBE, National Clinical Director, Scottish Government
  • Dr Ian Mills, Past Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK
  • Dr Govin Murugachandran, Founder, Flynotes
  • Dr Yewande Oduwole, Associate Dentist
  • Marie Parker, Deputy Programme Director of Hygiene and Therapy at University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London
  • Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning, Member of Parliament
  • Dr Wendy Thompson, Lecturer in Primary Dental Care, University of Manchester
  • Dr Pouya Zohrabpour, Associate Dentist

Details of all College of General Dentistry ambassadors are available at https://cgdent.uk/about/college-ambassadors/

New Director of Dentistry of NHS Lanarkshire

A new director of dentistry has been appointed in Lanarkshire. Following a formal interview process, Shelley Percival has accepted the role after fulfilling the interim post since 1 January 2022. Shelley will continue to provide leadership on all issues relating to dentistry in NHS Lanarkshire, ensuring high quality, safe and effective oral care across the area.

“I’m absolutely delighted to accept the position” said Shelley.

“Where my interim role has given me the opportunity to support colleagues during all the challenges of the pandemic, as we recover and look to the future, I look forward to building on the strong relationships and culture of partnership that exists in Lanarkshire. Our unremitting focus, of course, remains on looking after the dental and oral health of local people.”

As well as promoting the improvement and overall quality of care, Shelley will also provide leadership in reducing any oral health inequalities across the area. She will report to Soumen Sengupta, director of health and social care for South Lanarkshire.

“A fundamental and guiding principle of our future direction is the continued expertise, compassion and focus of our staff and partners supporting the health and wellbeing of people Lanarkshire” said Soumen.

“As we take careful steps out of the pandemic, the dental community has a really important and continued contribution to make to the overall effort of delivering health and care fit for the demands of today – and the future.

“Shelley brings a wealth of experience to the role and she is well placed to continue the excellent leadership she has demonstrated in the interim position. We are delighted to formally welcome her to the director post.”

Shelley replaces Anne Moore who officially retired on 31 March 2022. Prior to taking up the post of interim director at the turn of the year, Shelley was clinical director for general dental services in Lanarkshire in October 2020. She has, and will continue to, fulfil a clinical director role alongside her director responsibilities, providing a single professional source of advice regarding all aspects of dentistry.

Shelley graduated from Glasgow University in 1997 and worked in practices in Whitburn, Hamilton and Falkirk before setting up Clyde Valley Dental Practice in 2006. She has pursued post-graduate education by completing a diploma in Forensic Medical Science in 2001 and gained the Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners in London in 2007.

Shelley has been a vocational trainer and also a tutor for the Faculty of General Dental Practice diploma.

In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and running marathons throughout the world.

Wesleyan Financial Services appoints new head of dental

Wesleyan Financial Services has appointed Iain Stevenson as head of the dental segment.

With dedicated specialist financial advisers who exclusively support dentists, the segment has gone from strength to strength. Wesleyan Financial Services is therefore pleased to invest further in this area to enable the team to be united in delivering the strategy to support dentists and their dependents in achieving brighter financial futures.

Iain has been working in financial services for over 25 years, including roles as a senior financial consultant and a senior area manager. Most recently, Iain has been a senior area manager for Scotland and the Northeast of England for Wesleyan Financial Services, managing a team of specialist financial advisers to the dental profession.

Linda Wallace, Director at Wesleyan Financial Services, congratulates Iain, saying: “We are thrilled to have appointed Iain into this newly created role. Iain brings with him a vast knowledge and experience in providing specialist financial advice for dentists across the UK. His skill will be invaluable as we continue to progress our financial advice for dentists in need of support during what has been a very turbulent period within the profession.

“The dental segment will continue to be a key area of focus for Wesleyan Financial Services moving forward and we will continue to develop our team of specialist financial advisers and increase brand awareness within the profession, so that dentists can have access to tailored financial advice, overcome financial barriers and secure better financial futures.”

Not only is Iain passionate about his work, he is also a keen outdoorsman and sports enthusiast.

Commenting on his appointment, Iain said: “I feel tremendously honoured and privileged to be leading the dental segment with Wesleyan Financial Services. Having been working with Wesleyan for almost 19 years, the majority of which has been working with, coaching and developing specialist dental financial advisers, I am acutely aware of the significant value and contribution they make to their dental clients, families and practices every single day.

We are passionate about ensuring we are at the cutting edge of both financial planning and the world of dentistry to ensure we genuinely add value at every interaction.

Finally, financial planning and dentistry is all about people. There are so many talented people within the Wesleyan Group who are all driven to be the best and provide the best possible service to dentists and their families. Dentists need a “challenging friend” when it comes to their financial planning, but it needs to be someone they can trust, believe in and work with.

The world is changing, the world of dentistry is changing, and I am excited to be part of the team helping to guide our clients through those changes. Good financial planning is important, and I am determined to ensure we make ourselves available to every dentist in the UK.”

If you’re looking for help with your financial planning, you can speak to a specialist Wesleyan Financial Services Adviser as part of a no-obligation financial review by visiting www.wesleyan.co.uk/dental or calling 0800 316 3784.

Abhi Pal to be first elected President of CGDent and final FGDP Dean

Abhi Pal has been elected as the next Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP), and will become the first elected President of the College of General Dentistry (CGDent). 

Dr Pal qualified in 1987 with honours and distinction from Guy’s Hospital, London, and has worked in general dental practice ever since, joining The University Dental and Implant Centre, a mixed NHS and private practice in Edgbaston of which he is Principal, in 1991.

With special interests in dental implantology and restorative dentistry, he is Editor of FGDP’s Training Standards in Implant Dentistry, for which he is currently leading the development of mentoring requirements, and was a tutor in Risk Management on the University of Warwick’s MSc courses in implant and restorative dentistry for seven years.

He joined FGDP in 1997, becoming active in its West Midlands division as a tutor and examiner for the MJDF, and later being awarded the Diploma of Fellowship. He was elected to represent the region on the National Faculty Board in 2014, was re-elected in 2017 and 2020, and is Chair of the FGDP Professional Affairs Committee, and a Senior Member of the Faculty Academy. In addition he represents the Faculty at meetings of Health Education England’s Advancing Dental Care Stakeholder Forum, and is involved in the development of a GDP career pathway for CGDent.

He has also previously served the Faculty as Chair of both the Education and Finance Committees, as Junior Vice-Dean (2016-17) and Senior Vice-Dean (2019-20), and as its representative on the Health Education England dental advisory group and NHS England clinical reference group on record-keeping standards.

He is one of the authors of the FGDP-CGDent guidance, Implications of COVID-19 for the safe management of general dental practice, and has played a leading role in developing the Faculty’s international relationships, most recently organising a joint webinar on dental practice during the coronavirus pandemic in conjunction with the dental associations of Kenya, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Abhi also holds the Expert Witness Certificate from Cardiff University Law School, and has twenty years’ experience of providing clinical assessments and reports, and giving evidence at courts and hearings, as an independent expert for lawyers, regulatory bodies, insurers and defence organisations. He advised Heart of Birmingham NHS Primary Care Trust on dental complaints, clinical governance and commissioning for twelve years, and brings his dento-legal knowledge to bear in representing the Faculty on the GDC’s complaints handling policy group, and at Dental Complaints Service stakeholder meetings. In 2019 he was also Guest Editor of a themed issue of the Primary Dental Journal on dento-legal matters.

He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, has a Postgraduate Award in Medical Education from the University of Warwick, and holds the Membership in General Dental Surgery qualification of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He has also been a Foundation Trainer for twenty-five years, and is a member of NHS Education for Scotland’s National Review Panel for Vocational Training.

Elected for a three-year term, he will be inaugurated as FGDP(UK)’s eleventh and final Dean on 25th June 2021, succeeding Ian Mills. He will become the first elected President of the College of General Dentistry, succeeding the Honorary Founding President, Nairn Wilson, upon the transfer of the Faculty to CGDent. It is intended that the transfer will take place on 1 July, though membership of CGDent is already open to all dental professionals.

Commenting on his election, Dr Pal said: “I would like to thank my colleagues for the faith they have placed in me.  It will be an enormous privilege to lead this country’s only professional body dedicated to general dental practice, an organisation with which I have been involved for 24 years, and a deep responsibility to be the first elected President as the Faculty fulfils its destiny of becoming an independent College of General Dentistry. I invite all those in the general dental professions in all four nations of the UK to join us as we take this historic step.”

Ian Mills, current Dean of FGDP(UK) and a Trustee of the CGDent, added: “Many congratulations to Abhi on his election as Dean. An accomplished practitioner, with a proven commitment to postgraduate dental education and a detailed understanding of good practice and standards, he is a highly respected colleague and members should be delighted that our organisation will be in such good hands at this critical time.”

FGDP appoints new DCP Representative

The Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) has appointed Mrs Sarah Hill BSc RDH FHEA as its new Dental Care Professional Representative.

Sarah qualified as a dental hygienist from the University of Bristol, with distinction, in 2012, and also holds a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Southampton as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Education from the University of Plymouth.

Working as a hygienist in a mixed orthodontic practice in Halesowen, where one of her passions is making sure that her patients are at ease during treatment, she also delivers presentations to dental hygiene and therapy students on behalf of TePe. She has previously been a lecturer in Community-Based Dentistry at Peninsula Dental School – a role which included clinical supervision, assessing practical and written examinations, and working with students on community projects – and a sales representative for GlaxoSmithKline.

Sarah has been an Affiliate Member of FGDP since 2013, and was recently co-opted onto the board of the Faculty’s West Midlands division as its DCP representative. An assessor for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she is also an active member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, and was Chair of its South West and South Wales group for three years.

FGDP is the only professional membership body in the UK specifically for general dental practice, and reflects and represents individuals across the whole dental team, welcoming all GDC-registered dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists.

Succeeding the late Janet Goodwin as the Faculty’s DCP Representative, Sarah will represent the interests of the wider dental team at meetings of the National Faculty Board, and in the FGDP’s work.

Speaking on her appointment, she said: “I’m absolutely delighted, and look forward to representing the interests of my colleagues on the Board, and helping the Faculty in its mission to raise standards of dental care for patients.”

Ian Mills, Dean of FGDP, added: “Many congratulations to Sarah on her appointment. I am delighted to welcome her as the new DCP Representative on the FGDP(UK) Board and I’m sure she will make a significant contribution in the months and years ahead. This is an extremely important time for the Faculty as we prepare to separate from RCS England and look toward the future as part of the new College of General Dentistry. Dental Care Professionals will be an integral part of the new College and it will be fantastic to have someone of Sarah’s experience on the FGDP(UK) Board.”

College of General Dentistry appoints further Ambassadors

The College of General Dentistry has appointed three more Ambassadors: Professor Richard Horton, Dr Govin Murugachandran and Professor Jonathan Cowpe.

College Ambassadors are drawn from different backgrounds and walks of life. They support the engagement of the College in general healthcare and society and promote its influence in the interests of patients and the public, building trust and confidence in the dental profession.

More Ambassadors will be appointed in the coming months as the College works towards its historic, formal launch, now planned for mid-2021.

Chair of the College Board of Trustees, Professor Nairn Wilson, said: “I am delighted that Professors Horton and Cowpe and Dr Murugachandran have joined the College’s exceptional team of Ambassadors. Collectively, they have a huge range of highly relevant expertise and knowledge, with opportunity to greatly increase awareness of the College and its importance. The College looks forward to having the support and encouragement of its new Ambassadors in working towards realising the goals of excellence in oral healthcare provision and new leadership and support for all dental healthcare professionals.”

In commenting on his appointment Richard Horton said: “It is a privilege to join the College as one of its Ambassadors. For too long, medicine has neglected oral health. I want to make it my mission to ensure that oral health receives the priority it deserves within the NHS, medical research, and medical education. The College has a vital part to play in advancing oral health nationally and globally. I look forward to working with the College to deliver these goals.”

Govin Murugachandran commented: “It is a privilege to join the College as Ambassador at a time when the need for a clear and independent voice has shown its importance. I am looking forward to working with the college to bring guidance and innovation to the profession”

Jonathan Cowpe added: “I’m honoured to be an Ambassador for the College of General Dentistry. Dentistry is at the forefront of significant challenges in the delivery of high standards of healthcare to communities, not least during the present pandemic. I look forward to supporting the College spearheading excellence in healthcare delivery and promoting education and training for professionals from across the dental team.”

Richard Horton

Richard Horton is Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet. He qualified in physiology and medicine with honours from the University of Birmingham in 1986. He joined The Lancet in 1990, moving to New York as North American Editor in 1993. In 2016, he chaired the Expert Group for the High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, convened by Presidents Hollande of France and Zuma of South Africa. In 2011, he was elected a Foreign Associate of the US Institute of Medicine and, in 2015, he received the Friendship Award from the Government of China. In 2019 he was awarded the WHO Director-General’s Health Leaders Award for outstanding leadership in global health and the Roux Prize in recognition of innovation in the application of global health evidence. He works to develop the idea of planetary health – the health of human civilizations and the ecosystems on which they depend.

Govin Murugachandran

Govin Murugachandran is a dually qualified clinician with a medical degree from University College London and a dental degree from Kings College London. He completed his core surgical training in the London Deanery as part of pursuing a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

In 2017, Govin founded Flynotes, a digital health company that uses AI to optimise patient and clinical communications. Flynotes partners with leading organisation and institutions to deliver software solutions to health care professionals. Most recently, Flynotes worked with the FGDP(UK) and CGDent to deliver the Fallow Time Calculator for use by dental teams across the UK.

Jonathan Cowpe

Graduating from the Turner Dental School, Manchester in 1975, Jonathan embarked on a career in Oral Surgery in the NHS and through clinical academia, with senior posts in Dundee, Cardiff, and Bristol. His early research was on the application of quantitative cytopathology in early oral cancer detection. He has been involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education and training developments for 40 years. Elected to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Dental Council in 1995, he became Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (2005-08). He was appointed Head of the School of Oral & Dental Sciences, Bristol (2001-04). Returning to Wales in 2009, he was appointed Director of Postgraduate Dental Education in Wales. During that time, he was elected Chair of the Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in Dentistry (2009-13). These roles facilitate his continuing aspirations to smooth the transition from graduate dental professional into clinical practice, a springboard into a career-long period of CPD and promote an ethos of inter-collegiality and engagement across the profession. Jonathan led on the ‘DentCPD’ project (2010-12) and the recent ADEE reports ‘Review of CPD’ (2019), ‘Preparedness for Practice’ (2020) and ‘Professionalism’ (2020) published by the GDC. He continues to supervise students/trainees in minor oral surgery.

Russ Ladwa inaugurated as BDA’s 134th President

Russ Ladwa, who has held many of the leading roles in UK dentistry, has today taken office as the 134th President of the British Dental Association.

A former Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners, he has chaired both the Federation of London Local Dental Committees and the Dental Vocational Training Authority, and was a board member of the odontology section of the Royal Society of Medicine before being made its President. In 2012, having been a life-long member of the BDA, Russ was elected to its board, serving until 2019.

Russ qualified as a dentist from the London Hospital Medical College in 1975. He returned from a short spell as a civilian dentist in the US Army to work as an associate in an NHS practice in West London in 1977, buying the practice shortly thereafter.

In the 1980s Russ was involved in establishing the Asian Odontology Group and was a founding member of the Association of Dental Implantology. In 1990, he was one of the first London GDPs appointed as a Postgraduate Dental Tutor, a position he held for 23 years.

Russ Ladwa said: “Clearly the coronavirus pandemic will inevitably loom large over my presidency. So, I am heartened the BDA has stepped up and shown real leadership when it hasn’t always been forthcoming from the authorities. This challenge, huge as it is, will dominate, but not define my term of office.

“Yes, we have a responsibility to meet this threat head on, but we cannot shirk the other challenges we face. My predecessor, Roz McMullan, put mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of our agenda. She has my heartfelt thanks. In these uncertain times, the foundations she has laid are needed more than ever and will be built upon.

“And there is the task ahead to help this Association look more like the profession it serves. I have always believed in the mantra that any post should be won on merit alone, with equal opportunities afforded to all.  I am equally clear that every dentist requires strong role models to aspire to. They should be able to see themselves in the BDA, if they are to take part, to grow and even lead a strong membership organisation, such as ours.

“So, the underrepresentation of women across the BDA seriously concerns me just as much as the profession-wide under-representation of Black, Asian and other minority dentists. Democracy sometimes has to be helped along. As half the profession and half of our membership, the case for women to be better represented is undeniable. I am glad that this is being currently addressed positively and I promise to do all I can, during my term, to support their cause.

“I know many colleagues now face an uncertain future. Oral health inequalities we’ve struggled with for so long look set to widen. Prevention looks less attainable than ever. But a pandemic isn’t the time to step away from these challenges. It’s the moment to confront them head on.

“I pledge to be a listening President for all our members, regardless of their background, specialty, or discipline. In these trying times we are stronger together.”

BAPD elects Dental Students Committee

The British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) has announced the election of Shivam Kotecha as chair and James Wooton as secretary to the Student Liaison Committee.

This newly formed arm of the BAPD will provide fundamental input into how regulatory decision making will impact young dentists, and how it will affect their future careers. The BAPD recognises the fact that young dentists are vital to the profession, and applauds their energy and enthusiasm for positive change. The BAPD will support their cause through our work, helping to pave a brighter future for all.

In addition, the association has welcomed new committee members, Salma Daou, Rachel Derby and Zoe Wray. All three have reportedly made ‘an immediate impact’.