About the Course

This year marks the 24th 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 continue to raise standards throughout UK dentistry.

Since announcing last year’s awards we have passed some significant milestones in terms of returning to normality as we learn to live with Covid, thanks in large part to the success of the vaccine roll out.

Whilst this is undoubtably good news, it is essential to remember that all the clinicians and practices that are being recognized in this year’s awards have been at the very forefront of the country’s fight against covid putting themselves at risk on a daily basis in order to provide the highest quality dental care for their patients. So thank you to you all.

What is also particularly gratifying is that, even in uncertain times, the UK dental sector can be relied upon to provide the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient care as amply demonstrated by the significantly increased numbers and the quality of entries received for this year’s awards.

The 2022 Dental Awards Ceremony is available to watch on-demand at the-probe.co.uk and is brought to you by B.A International, 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 finalists, highly commended and winners can all be seen below:

Best National Smile Month Initiative

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

Faced with the pandemic challenge, the tooth fairies had to be more innovative than ever for their National Smile Month campaign. Deciding that rather than rely on one single event, they would create lots of opportunities to share ‘THE SMILE’ message.

Developing a broad range of initiatives, examples included a virtual tea party, working with trainee teachers and the creation of a monthly E-bulletin. They demonstrated a creative and multidimensional approach to spreading the oral health message within their community.

 

Dental Receptionist of the Year

The Finalists: 

• Lisa Fee – Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery, Liverpool
• Barbara Bolton, {my}dentist Oswaldtwistle
• Dena Russell, Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull
  

  Winner: Barbara Bolton, {my}dentist Oswaldtwistle

• Beth Donkin – Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull

Winner: Barbara Bolton, {my}dentist Oswaldtwistle

Joining her practice in 2019, Barbara is now considered as the “heart and soul of the practice”. Not only does she do a brilliant job as a dental receptionist, she has worked tirelessly during the pandemic to support patients and her team. She is considered to be one in a million. With one comment being that, “If you could clone Barbara and have one in every practice, you would.”

Barbara is well-known among the community for always trying her best for patients. She was the first to suggest sending care packs to the vulnerable and she came in on days off and sat by herself calling patients over 70 years old to check in on them and organise support with prescriptions or shopping if they needed it.

On rare occasions when she wasn’t answering the phone, Barbara turned her attention to the practice itself to spruce it up to welcome patients back. Sometimes in her own time she worked to give surgeries a new coat of paint, created a new filing system for paperwork and worked on the practice garden to make it more welcoming.

Highly Commended: Dena Russell, Kingswood Parks Clinics

 

Dental Therapist of the Year

The Finalists:

• Karenn Helmrichne Davila – Gentle Dental, Salisbury
• Kirsty Chappell – Jamil Dental, Aberdare
• Lauren Long – Cherrybank Dental Spa, Edinburgh
• Amy Northen-Hills – Kingswood Parks Clinics, Hull
• Neringa Krusinskaite – Falkirk Dental Care

Winner: Lauren Long, Cherrybank Dental Spa

Lauren has been a champion of Dental Therapy for nearly 14 years. Graduating from Dundee University in 2008, she has continually promoted the role of Dental Therapists, successfully demonstrating how a dental therapist can be an important element in helping to grow a successful business. With a special interest in dental anxiety, Lauren believes in tailoring treatments to each individual, continually striving to improve her knowledge, she has just completed a post grad diploma in aesthetic and restorative dentistry. She is a great advocate for the profession.

Highly Commended: Karenn Helmrichne Davila, Gentle Dental

 

Dental Hygienist of the Year

The Finalists:

• Jenita Radhakissoon – Orchard Orthodontics, London
• Beata Knysak – SW1 Dental Studio, London
• Neringa Krusinskaite – Falkirk Dental Care
• Alison Craig – Direst Dental Hygienists, Great Dunmow, Essex
• Nancy Bentley – Appletree Dentistry, Cambridge

Winner: Beata Knysak, SW1 Dental Studio

Joining the profession as a receptionist, Beata trained as a Dental Nurse, before finally graduating from Kings College Hospital as a DHT with a distinction in 2017.   

Putting excellence at the forefront of everything she does, Beata is a laser treatment specialist and is also strong believer that great patient rapport can be as important as the actual treatment program making patients feel motivated and genuinely cared for.

Highly Commended: Jenita Radhakissoon – Orchard Orthodontics, London and Neringa Krusinskaite – Falkirk Dental Care

 

Dental Nurse of the Year – in association with BADN

The Finalists:

• Sarah Andrews – Smile Together Dental CIC, Penzance
• Lorraine Hanvey – {my}dentist Portadown, Belfast
• Kerry Kellock – Falkirk Dental Care
• Lucy Hales – New Square Dental Practice, Cambridge
• Kim Russell – New Square Dental Practice, Cambridge

Winner: Lorraine Hanvey – {my}dentist Portadown, Belfast

The judges agreed that Lorraine is a fine example of a Dental Nurse, being efficient, caring and inspirational. A vital member of the practice team she has a particular interest in assisting and supporting nervous patients, particularly when confronted with long term dental issues. A richly deserved award, well done and congratulations to Lorraine.

Highly Commended: Sarah Andrews – Smile Together Dental CIC, Penzance
Commended: Kerry Kellock – Falkirk Dental Care

 

Practice Manager of the Year – in association with ADAM

The Finalists:

• Stephen Potter – Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery, Liverpool
• Claire Lewis – Seven Dental, Nottingham
• Toni McGuire – Cahill Dental & Implant Clinic, Bolton
• Maiara Ban – ODL Dental Clinic, London
• Kamila Soja – Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Derby

Winner: Maiara Ban – ODL Dental Clinic, London

Starting as a receptionist and progressing to Practice Manager in just 3 years, Maiara is an essential part of the ODL team. Working alongside the practice principle, she has carefully designed every role within the practice and has been instrumental in recruiting the talent to fulfil them. The quality of her input is evidenced by the growth of the practice which has seen a 44% increase in patient numbers.   

The judges said that Maiara is an inspirational practice manager that continually strives to improve her own skills and those of her team.

Highly Commended: Stephen Potter – Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery, Liverpool

 

Website and Digital Campaign of the Year

The Finalists:

• ODL Dental Clinic – London
• Smilessence – East Molesey, Surrey
• Neel Dentistry – Welwyn, Herts
• Courtyard Dental – Huddersfield
• Cannon Street Dental Centre – London

Winner: ODL Dental Clinic – London

ODL’s website is beautifully presented, coming across as warm and welcoming to all visitors. The essential practice information is well presented enabling visitors to easily find details of treatments and pricing. The judges particularly liked the quality of the video testimonials which they felt was of real value to end users.

Highly Commended: Neel Dentistry – Welwyn, Herts

 

Best Outreach or Charity Initiative

The Finalists:

• The Happy Smiles Club, Caister – On – Sea
• Forest Dental, Blackwood
• Dental Arts Studio, Enfield
• Cahill Dental and Implant Clinic, Bolton
• Basingstoke Orthodontics

Winner: The Happy Smiles Club, Caister – On – Sea

Whilst all the entries in this category were excellent, Happy Smiles outreach campaign particularly impressed the judges due to the range of oral health groups the campaign covered. Realising that oral health was being neglected by some patients during pandemic lockdowns, the team linked with The Young Minds Charity and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to run an in practice campaign and also holding fund raising events in support the great work of undertaken by these organisations.

Highly Commended: Basingstoke Orthodontics

 

Dental Team of the Year

The Finalists: 

• Smile Max Studio @ Falkirk Dental Care – Falkirk
• Baycliff Dental & Implant Surgery – Liverpool
• Church Street Dental Centre – Somerset
• ODL Dental Clinic – London
• Community Dental Services CIC, Prisons Team – Bedfordshire

Winner: ODL Dental Clinic – London

The remarkable ODL team is diverse, multidisciplinary and multilingual and is able to offer the full range of dental treatments in one practice. From recruitment onwards, the whole team is mentored and encouraged to develop their skills sets, which in turn enables them to support both their colleagues and patients alike. This laser like focus on detail and training is demonstrated by the extremely impressive results in clinical and patient satisfaction surveys.

Highly Commended: Smile Max Studio @ Falkirk Dental Care – Falkirk

 

Young Dentist of the Year

The Finalists:

• Risha Patel – Fulham Road Dental, London
• Aly Virani – North Cardiff Dental & Implants
• Christian Lucas – Castle View Dental Spa, Eccelshall
• Amir Nazim – mydentist, Ayr
• Simon Rana – Halesowen Dental

Winner: Risha Patel – Fulham Road Dental, London

Qualifying in 2012 and taking a post grad in 2019 Risha impressed the judges with the quality of the clinical case studies she has undertaken, combined with her passion for teaching and keenness to learn and continually improve her skills and knowledge. Equally notable is Risha’s desire to always give something back, as demonstrated by the many charitable works she has undertaken and in particular volunteering to join the first Super Acute Dental Care Unit to be set up in the UK, at Guy’s Hospital in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

Highly Commended: Aly Virani – North Cardiff Dental & Implants

 

Dentist of the Year

The Finalists:

• Kiran Shankla – Wood Lane Dentistry, Reading
• Rachel Derby – St Mary’s House Dental Care, Shoreham by Sea
• Rashmi Chattopadhyay – Southport Road Dental Practice, Chorley
• Neil Simkin – {my}dentist Newtown Advanced Oral Health Centre, Powys
• Manrina Rhode- DRMR Clinic, London

Winner: Manrina Rhode- DRMR Clinic, London

Manrina has had a most impressive career to date, graduating from Guy’s Hospital in 2002 her unusual professional dental journey has taken her from Harvey Nicholls via Harrods and the USA to setting up her own dental brand DRMR. Working as an associate until recently, which has enabled her to focus on clinical excellence, Manrina is now in the process of setting up her own ‘super clinic’.

Building a great rapport with patients is central to Manrina’s philosophy, always focussing on the best clinical approach and outcomes rather than financial considerations.

As a respected key opinion leader, Manrina sits on a number of professional association boards and is a recognised figure on several international lecture circuits and editorial committees.

Highly Commended: Kiran Shankla – Wood Lane Dentistry, Reading

 

Dental Practice of the Year

The Finalists:

• North Cardiff Dental and Implants
• Normanton Road Family Dental Centre, Derby
• ODL Dental Clinic, Finsbury Circus, London
• Balham Smile Clinic, London
• The Portland Road Family Dental Centre, Hucknall, Notts

Winner: ODL Dental Clinic, Finsbury Circus, London

Another richly deserved award for ODL. This remarkable London based practice is proud to offer the full range of dental treatments under the one roof. With an emphasis on staff training and development, the multilingual team is focused on delivering the very best in patient care and clinical outcomes, whilst cultivating a culture of support and personal development for all the members of its team.

Showing highly impressive figures in patient satisfaction and recommendation, the ODL practice is also active in the wider community, supporting
a range of oral health and children’s charities and launching a post grad program to teach dentists form across the globe.

Highly Commended: North Cardiff Dental and Implants

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and to every one of our nominees.

Click here to watch the full awards ceremony on demand.

About the Course

Niki Keyhani, founder and owner of the Horsham Dental Studio, discusses starting a practice during lockdown, life as an ambitious young dentist, Denplan’s Next Generation Dental Group, and coffee

In the summer of 2021, Denplan launched a new initiative to develop the next generation of leaders in dentistry, bringing together a small select group of young Denplan member dentists. Dubbed the ‘Next Generation Dental Group’, the initiative provides aspiring young dentists with the opportunities to develop their leadership skills outside the traditional clinical setting. Denplan has created the platform for this group to serve as a national voice for young dentists, helping to shape the future of the dental profession.

One member of the Next Generation Dental Group is Niki Keyhani, founder and owner of the Horsham Dental Studio. At the age of 28, Niki is not only responsible for running and operating the business while keeping clinical hours, but she is also studying for a four-year Masters of Clinical Dentistry degree in Prosthodontics, following receipt of her diploma in restorative dentistry.

Here, Niki took some time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions.

You founded the Horsham Dental Studio in 2020. What challenges did you face in opening a practice during lockdown?

We were meant to open the week before the first lockdown started. We were scheduled for our CQC inspection a day or two before. So, not exactly wonderful timing for us.

The CQC inspection was ultimately done remotely, but our NHS inspection actually took place on-site and in-person. It was a nerve-wracking time – for so many reasons – but, in the end, we were good to go.

It must have taken some resilience to get through that time. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I always knew I wanted to go into dentistry and I qualified in 2017. Once I’d reached that life goal, I started wondering, ‘What do I do now? What’s the next step?’ Looking around, there were almost too many options.

I knew for sure that I wanted to be in the practice environment, which I love. But I also wanted to continue developing my skillset. So, I went in for the diploma in restorative dental practice at the Eastman Dental Hospital, which got the ball rolling as far as my postgraduate education is concerned. The first year went really well and I got the bug; I learned a lot, met incredible industry leaders and made some great friends. I even won an award! And then I realised that I wanted to keep going and keep learning so I decided to apply for the MClinDent in Prosthodontics.

Timing wise, it was a little crazy, because this was while I was opening the practice, but I submitted my application because you’re always told that you’re never going to get in on the first time you apply. However, I was extremely fortunate and I received the offer, which of course I couldn’t reject. So, I went straight from being an associate and doing a diploma to owning the practice and working my way towards specialising.

You find yourself wearing many hats. When do you find time to sleep?

I find time to make and drink a lot of coffee! That counteracts the lack of sleep nicely.

What’s your favourite type of coffee?

Depends on the weather. Is it warm or cold? Honestly, I could go for anything: a cappuccino, chai latte, an iced latte… As long as it has caffeine, I’m good for it.

You’re also a part of the Denplan Next Generation Dental Group. What does that entail?

The Next Gen is a group of young dentists; all of us are Denplan members and the majority of us are principals. We all work in either mixed or private practices and Denplan connected us to essentially form a community in which we can discuss and tackle the issues that we’re facing at the moment within our profession.

I feel like dentistry is changing so much and at such a rapid pace that communication with the public is key. Patients don’t always know what to expect from the constant changes that are being made and how to access their dentists. So, the Next Generation Dental Group is an opportunity for us to discuss and hopefully advise on how to change things moving forward.

On top of that, the best part is having a group of colleagues who are in a similar position to you, with whom you can discuss the difficulties we have all been experiencing. We’re all based in practice and have to deal with the daily challenges that brings, and having that support network is incredible.

Most excitingly, we’re putting together a draft policy paper to advise the government at the moment. I don’t think I can reveal too much yet but, hopefully, everyone will be able to read that soon and see what we’ve been discussing, what we’ve identified and what we want to bring out and implement in the future.

What does the life of a young dentist look like in 2022? You certainly seem to have a lot to balance.

That’s right and my week is a little fragmented. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, I’m at university. On Thursdays, I’m in practice and get to see patients. And Wednesday is my ‘get to pick’ day, so I can decide whether I want to be in practice, or whether I’m better off doing some admin work for the practice, or whether I could use an extra day at university that week, so that gives me the flexibility that I sometimes really need.

Even the weekends can be a bit of a wild card. On Saturdays and Sundays, I get the chance to choose between doing some extra work for the practice or towards my university course. Of course, on occasion, I’ll stop and give myself some downtime too.

What keeps me going is my calendar and my to-do list! My friends have always known me as the ‘Filofax girl’. I’ve always had a very stringent daily list of tasks that had to be done. All that’s changed is that I’ve gone digital, so the Filofax has been replaced by my phone and its To-Do Lists button. This helps me make sure everything is in hand and nothing is overlooked.

Ultimately, the life of a young dentist has its challenges, but I feel fortunate to be in this profession at such an exciting time. We’re privileged to be able to contribute and steer dentistry forward in a positive way at a time our influence can be heard.

Niki joined us on The Probe Dental Podcast recently. You can find the full episode with her here – https://the-probe.co.uk/blog/2022/06/denplan-sessions-niki-next-gen/

For more from Niki, you can find her on Instagram @dr.nikikey

To find out more about the Denplan Next Generation Dental Group, visit denplan.co.uk.