The Dental Defence Union (DDU) has announced the names of the outstanding teachers and trainers who have reached the final of the 2007 DDU Educational Awards. The finalists, selected from a shortlist of nominees, will be competing in three different categories at the award ceremony this month in London.

The two finalists in the category of DCP Teacher of the Year are Jane Holt from the Leeds Dental Institute and Judy Fraser from the School of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry, Portsmouth.

Head of the DDU, Rupert Hoppenbrouwers said, ‘We feel it is important to publicly recognise the nominees' achievements.’

The finalists in all the award categories will compete for the titles in front of a selected audience of dental academics and professionals at the awards ceremony. Finalists will be judged across a number of criteria, including knowledge of the subject, enthusiasm and ability to motivate. Winners and runners-up will be awarded £250 each and the overall winners in each category will receive £1,000 towards the cost of educational materials for their schools or VT schemes. In addition to the main sponsor, Dentsply, the awards are also supported by the BDA.