Certificate of Merit

In October the Pierre Fauchard Academy awarded a certificate of merit to Russ Ladwa, general dental practitioner and BDA PEC member, for distinguished contribution to the profession of dentistry.

Honorary Doctorate

Professor Stephen Porter, Director of the UCL Eastman Dental Institute, has received an Honora ry Doctorate in Medicine by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in recognition of his significant achievements allied to international oral medicine.

Best start-up

SS Dental Services, dental engineers, based in Plymouth, have won an award for best start-up company in the South West at the South West Biomedical iNet's second Innovation Award Ceremony in Bristol.

Inaugural chair

Dr Jim Lafferty, a dentist in Sheffield, has been elected as the inaugural Chair of the BDA's new English Council. The English Council exists to advise the BDA Principal Executive Committee (PEC) on all matters relating to policy in England, and to liaise with BDA's branches and sections.

Accreditation award

Dorset HealthCare is the first individual dental service in the UK to receive University Practice Development Accreditation (UPDA). The award was presented to the dental team at the official opening of a new special care dental clinic in Bournemouth in October.

BSDHT President

Dental hygienist Julie Rosse is the new President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT); successor to Sally Simpson. Ms Rosse had held the post of President Elect since 2010.

BDA Scotland Director

Pat Kilpatrick has been appointed as the new Director of the BDA for Scotland. She will take up her post next month and brings to the post extensive experience in the healthcare sector including operational and strategic management and postgraduate teaching and research.