BDSA: Broadening our horizons

Joshua Kennedy, BDSA President 2022-2023

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In March 1942, the British Dental Students' Association (BDSA) was founded in Manchester. The aims of the BDSA, as stated in its Constitution, are to promote unity and liaison between dental students in Britain, to promote the educational and social interests of the dental students of the UK and to establish as well as facilitate liaison with dental students within the European region and throughout the world. The Constitution has been subsequently amended in further Council meetings in various locations in the UK. Since the inauguration of Douglas Jackson, each President has built upon the foundations of this historic Association. As part of the vision for my term of office, I have placed emphasis on building relationships both in the UK and further afield.

The vibrant European Dental Students' Association (EDSA) was founded in 1988 and represents the voice of over 70,000 dental students from 182 dental schools in 33 different countries. This Association is a longstanding partner of the BDSA and shares many of the same values.

I am very fortunate to work closely alongside exceptional individuals from all over Europe. My predecessor, Jitesh Jassal, is the Vice-President of Internal Affairs on the EDSA Board and my 'EDSA Mentor' is Marta Adam, the current President of the EDSA. The mentorship I receive has ensured that, as national delegate, I have a greater understanding of the past, present and future of this Association.

Jitesh and I will be attending the 71st EDSA meeting in Istanbul alongside five other UK dental students. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity to network with and learn from the members of other national dental associations across Europe.

I have held meetings with members of the Union Nationale des Etudiants en Chirurgie Dentaire (UNECD). The French national dental student association carries out a range of impactful projects. I hope that this collaboration allows for shared resources, the overcoming of any obstacles and greater community awareness of the activities of both organisations.

The BDSA are delighted to welcome the 72nd EDSA meeting which is being held in Liverpool from 20 to 25 August 2023. This meeting will be held in collaboration with the Association of Dental Education in Europe and is currently calling for abstract submissions from dental students.

The EDSA provides an array of opportunities for UK dental students. European Visiting Programmes (EVPs) allow students to visit other dental faculties in foreign countries with an educational purpose, along with summer and winter camps organised for dental students involving workshops, lectures and projects. Excitingly, the most recent EDSA mobility projects have just been announced. These include trips to Slovakia, Croatia, Turkey, Bucharest and Estonia. For information regarding how to apply and the relevant deadlines, please visit @edsaweb on Instagram.

I am thrilled at the prospect of closer ties with our EDSA colleagues. It's an Association that provides an opportunity for UK dental students to be part of a wider global community, and on behalf of the BDSA, I welcome the prospect of our organisations working together for the betterment of students across Europe.