Five new recruits to BDJ Team reader panel

Introduction

BDJ Team would like to welcome five new dental care professionals (DCPs) to our reader panel for 2024. They join continuing panellists Aisha Mehmood, Rebecca Silver and Fiona Ellwood. All current reader panellists will appear on the relevant page of the BDJ Team website: https://www.nature.com/bdjteam/readerpanel.

BDJ Team reader panellists write annually for BDJ Team and are involved with content discussions and feedback. We are grateful to have so many highly experienced and skilled dental professionals contributing to BDJ Team's success!

Reader panellists 2024

Leon Bassi

Leon graduated with distinction as both a dental therapist and dental hygienist from Queen Mary University (Bart's) and the London Dental School, receiving academic and clinical prizes. Since graduation he has worked within community and hospital services as well as specialist private practice environments. Leon has provided treatment under inhalation sedation within the hospital setting within a consultant led service. He has a postgraduate diploma in paediatric dentistry for dental therapists and is completing his MSc in Advanced specialist healthcare. He is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Liverpool and co-leads Year one of the BDS and BSc programmes.

Leon has presented scientific posters at both national and international level. His research interest is using the ICCMS [International Caries Classification and Management System] caries prevention toolkit with the primary dentition.

Leon is an active member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) - he has previously held the position of London regional rep for BSHDT, elected council member, and elected council member to the executive team of the BSDHT. He previously sat on the publication committee for BSDHT and the newly formed Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Group, and has been re-elected to the BSDHT Council as elected council member by the membership which ended in November 2023.

Leon is an external examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, and Portsmouth University Dental Academy. He has published in peer reviewed journals for the BSDHT. He is a visiting lecturer for Health Education England where he provides CPD for dentists and dental therapists. He has presented at conferences and on paediatric dentistry in the primary care setting. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Member of the Faculty of Dental Trainers.

Leon is planning to write about the role of the dental therapist in dental caries management for the September issue of BDJ Team.

Stephanie Boothroyd

Stephanie began dental nursing in an NHS practice at the age of 19 and now has 18 years of experience. Once she had qualified, Stephanie joined a mixed independent practice and is still there today. She has gained additional post qualifications in dental radiography, dental nurse assessing/tutoring, and practice management.

Stephanie currently works as a CQC registered manager and is a tutor for DenTTrack & Glenys Bridges Academy, tutoring dental care profesionals wanting to achieve post qualifications.

Stephanie says: ‘I have a passion for learning, leadership and training, sharing and growing others' knowledge and skills to be their best self'.

Stephanie has written an article for BDJ Team this February, all about what is involved in being a CQC registered manager and the process to become one.

Alison Brown

Alison Brown MSc, BSc. Dip. Dental Hygiene, AFHEA is an award-winning dental hygienist living in Cornwall. She currently works in private practice and as a clinical supervisor at Peninsula Dental School. She is a GDC Education associate and an Honorary Ambassador for the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Alison says: ‘I have a passion for education and research. I gained my MSc at the Eastman institute, UCL in Dental Hygiene in 2023. I was recommended for the Dean's research prize.

‘I also have an interest in behaviour change, not only that of patients, but ours, as professionals. I am currently looking at the barriers that prevent us from discussing oral cancer and how to approach patients about this subject. I have spoken about this subject at the Oral Health Conference in the UK.'

Alison is a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT), part of its working group promoting and offering mentoring and coaching for members as well as part of its Education group.

Alison is planning to write about oral cancer self-screening or MSc career pathways later this year.

Robert Leigh

Robert started out as a dental nurse and went on to qualify as a dental hygienist and therapist from the Eastman Dental Hospital in 2021. He completed a PGDip in Periodontics the following year and is currently studying for a BSc (Hons) Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care degree with Anglia Ruskin University.

Robert splits his working week between NHS Community Dental Services in Oral Health Promotion and a Private Specialist Periodontal Practice, which he says allows him ‘a unique perspective on the dental landscape outside of the typical dental surgery'.

Rob's article for BDJ Team in 2024 will be about the steps he has taken in his career so far and how he balances roles.

Rob was also published in BDJ Team in 2020: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41407-020-0464-0.

Lauren Long

Lauren Long is a dental therapist with over 15 years' experience, working exclusively in private practice in Edinburgh. She is a Clinical Educator, Lecturer and KOL [Key Opinion Leader] for several leading dental companies, as well as writing regular articles for professional publications. Lauren wrote the article ‘Dental therapy: The hidden superpower within your practice' in BDJ Team in October 2022: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41407-022-1651-y.

Lauren was awarded ‘Dental Therapist of the Year' at The Dental Awards 2022, as well as ‘Best Therapist' at the Dentistry Scotland Awards 2022.

Alongside her clinical work, Lauren currently holds the position of Therapist Clinical Director for Pain Free Dentistry Group, allowing her to explore her passion of supporting other dental therapists and hygienists to achieve the best possible working environment, whilst utilising their entire skillset to create a career they love.

This year, Lauren plans to write about clinical examination for dental hygienists and therapists for BDJ Team, taking into account the changes to the NHS system allowing dental hygienists and therapists to open a course of treatment.

Would you like to find out more about writing for BDJ Team? Visit our Author Guide: https://www.nature.com/bdjteam/forauthors.