David Westgarth, Editor, BDJ Student

Almost eight years ago, I had the pleasure of being named the editor of BDJ Student. In that time, there have been many changes, but one thing has remained constant: the value of the student voice.

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Take the student editor, for example. In BDJ Student's previous life as Launchpad, the student editor was Jonathan Lewney, who today finds himself as Associate Editor of the BDJ Portfolio, overseeing submissions to BDJ Open. Having a voice, being active, being engaged with the BDA and the BDJ pays off. I have lost count of the number of authors who published in BDJ Student, have then gone on to BDJ In Practice and have seen their articles published in the BDJ. That applies to those who have held the role of student editor, too.

Taking a view from 30,000ft, you may not think - or even know about - the current political debate and commentary regarding dentistry, but those debates are taking place to safeguard the future of the profession, your future. The BDA's Future Leaders Programme, the BDA Student Committee, the BDA Young Dentist Committee, the BDSA - all programmes, committees and organisations designed to give you a platform, a voice and a say in dentistry of today and for tomorrow.

Fast forward to today and this issue of BDJ Student, we're focusing on careers and professional development to be another branch of that preparation. As ever, we cannot do it without you. Are you a first year student with burning thoughts about the profession you've embarked on? Are you a fifth year student about to attach a larger set of training wheels and feel like you could impart wisdom on your younger colleagues? We always want to hear from you. We are published for students by students; your voice matters to us.

If you have an idea, drop me a line. If you've nailed down your article, submit it through our manuscript portal. If you want to see what we're up to at BDJ towers, follow us on social. To coin a phrase from a well-known supermarket, every voice helps.

David Westgarth