Outstanding members of the dental community were honoured last month at the third annual BDA Honours and Awards Dinner in London, supported by the British Dental Trade Association (BDTA).

The evening featured presentations to individuals by the BDA in recognition of service to dentistry and the BDA, along with a range of awards presented by the BDTA and dental care professional associations.

These included the BDA Good Practice Scheme Practice of the Year, awarded to the Priors Dental Practice in Penkridge, Staffordshire, BDA Fellowships to Ralph Davies and Patrick Denning and BDA honorary membership to Sir James Carlisle.

Ralph Davis, recipient of the BDA Fellowship is retired from practice and currently works part-time as a primary care adviser for the National Clinical Assessment Service. As well as lecturing he is a local level BDA Branch President, Founding Chair of the Trent Local Dental Committee (LDC) Liaison group and Chair of both Nottinghamshire and North Nottinghamshire LDCs. He said, 'I feel very honoured and humble to receive this award.'

The British Dental Practice Managers' Association Outstanding Achievement Award went to Bridget Crump, who commented, 'It was a privilege to receive my award among such well-respected achievers and contributors to the dental industry. I am delighted to continue working alongside both the BDA Executive and the BDPMA team to define and promote the contribution and training of dental practice managers against an ever-expanding business and clinical management remit.'

The other awards were: BDA life membership to Derek Debuse, Adrian Flower, John Hobkirk and Gary Whittle; the BDA Certificate of Merit for outstanding contribution and services to the BDA to Barry Devonald and Rosemary Longhurst; entry on to the BDA Roll of Distinction to Mary Newing and Anwar Tappuni; the BDTA Award to mark outstanding contribution to the dental industry to John Davis; the 2008 British Association of Dental Nurses' Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing Award to Elena Graham; the Dental Laboratories Association Significant Achievement Award to David Smith; and the Dental Technologists Association Award in recognition of an outstanding contribution to dental technology to John Goodman and Dame Margaret Seward.

The event was attended by around 250 members of the dental community.