Main

It is the role of a retiring president to leave the stage quietly and with decorum so that his successor can fully bask in the glory of the occasion. Short and to the point must be the order of the day for a valedictory address and you will be pleased to hear that I intend to follow it.

The dental profession in its widest sense is in very good heart while its membership includes people of such calibre.

However, I cannot depart from office without thanking the members of the BDA and colleagues in our sister professions who have made Joan and me so welcome during the course of the past year. To say that we have had a wonderful time would be an understatement; it has been a privilege to be able to travel and meet such outstanding people and to see at so many dinners their generosity to the Benevolent Fund that is so important to me. The dental profession in its widest sense is in very good heart while its membership includes people of such calibre.

It has of course been an interesting year to be President on the political front as well. While the role is purely ceremonial and non political it would be impossible to avoid the debate among members and to observe that morale among NHS practitioners is fragile. It has been a disappointment to hear occasional unjust criticism of the BDA from individuals whom I would have expected to know better. In that context, what I have learned, from personal observation, is that the BDA is fortunate to have both staff and elected officers who are dedicated to the best interests of our members and their patients.

As I step down,I must thank the Armed Forces Group for nominating me for what has been the outstanding year of my professional life and wish Tony as much fun as I have had. He is in for a wonderful year.