Reader panel

Aisha Mehmood 

Aisha Mehmood is a highly motivated student dental hygienist and therapist at the University of Manchester. In March 2023 Aisha wrote about her route into dentistry in BDJ Team in 'Dental nursing gave me a kick start'. Later in 2023 Aisha wrote about how oral health campaigns are promoted in general dental practice. 

 

 

Rebecca Silver  

Rebecca Silver FdSc MSc RDN is a multi-award-winning dental nurse. She has worked within the NHS and private dentistry and has worked with numerous dental specialists. She has obtained post-qualification certificates in Oral Health Education and Conscious Sedation and an MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare (Applied Dental Professional Practice). Rebecca has written a wide range of thought-provoking articles for BDJ Team.

 

 

Fiona Ellwood 

Fiona Ellwood Doctoral Researcher, MEd L.M, PG Cert HF, PG Cert PH, PG Cert MDent, BA (Hons) Ed S, PGCE is the Executive Director and Emeritus Chair of the Society of British Dental Nurses (SBDN) and the Acting Chair of The National Oral Health Group. She acts as a key opinion leader and is an advisor for oral health education and preventative programmes across the dental arena, as well as infection control and professional practice. She has been an examiner for NEBDN and writes prolifically, including articles for BDJ Team.

Fiona is a trained mentor, the founder of ‘Dental Mentoring Network’ and a member of Dental Mentors UK. She is an External Examiner in the UK and in Ireland and a GDC Education Associate and Registration Panel Member. She holds an MSc PG Cert in Human Factors for Patient Safety and leads the Human Factors in Dentistry Group. During the pandemic Fiona was a driving force behind Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry and is Co-Chair of the Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry Group. She is a p/t Academic Lead and Moderator for Dental Nursing at Bangor University Bangor.

She received an honorary Fellowship from the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) (the first DCP to do so), a Fellowship from the Faculty of Dental Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the Institute of Administrators and Managers. She recently became a member of the Academy of Medical Educators and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Fiona is a trustee for Dentaid and a co-founder of the International Federation of Dental Assistants and Nurses (IFDAN) and speaks both nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics. She was hugely honoured to receive a Queen’s Honour in 2019 and has become a dental nurse historian.

Leon Bassi

Leon graduated with distinction as both a dental therapist and dental hygienist from Queen Mary University (Bart’s) and the London Dental School, receiving academic and clinical prizes. Since graduation, he has worked within community and hospital services as well as specialist private practice environments. Leon has provided treatment under inhalation sedation within the hospital setting within a consultant led service. He has a postgraduate diploma in paediatric dentistry for dental therapists and is completing his MSc in Advanced specialist healthcare. He is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Liverpool and co-leads Year one of the BDS and BSc programmes.

Leon has presented scientific poster presentations at both national and international level. His research interest is using the ICCMS [International Caries Classification and Management System] caries prevention toolkit with the primary dentition.

Leon is an active member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) – he has previously held the position of London regional rep for BSHDT, elected council member and Elected council member to the executive team of the BSDHT. He previously sat on the publication committee for BSDHT and the newly formed Diversity, inclusion and belonging group, and has been re-elected to the BSDHT Council as elected council member by the membership which ended in November 2023.

Leon is an external examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, and Portsmouth University Dental Academy. He has published in peer reviewed journals for the BSDHT. He is a visiting lecturer for Health Education England where he provides CPD for dentists and dental therapists. He has presented at conferences and on paediatric dentistry in the primary care setting. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Member of the Faculty of Dental Trainers.

Stephanie Boothroyd 

Stephanie began dental nursing in an NHS practice at the age of 19 and now has 18 years of experience. Once she had qualified, Stephanie joined a mixed independent practice and is still there today. She has gained additional post qualifications in dental radiography, dental nurse assessing/tutoring, and practice management.

Stephanie currently works as a CQC registered manager and is a tutor for DenTTrack & Glenys Bridges Academy, tutoring dental care professionals wanting to achieve post qualifications.

Stephanie says: ‘I have a passion for learning, leadership and training, sharing and growing others’ knowledge and skills to be their best self’.

Alison Brown 

Alison Brown MSc, BSc. Dip. Dental Hygiene, AFHEA is an award-winning dental hygienist living in Cornwall. She currently works in private practice and as a clinical supervisor at Peninsula Dental School. She is a GDC Education associate and an Honorary Ambassador for the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Alison says: ‘I have a passion for education and research. I gained my MSc at the Eastman institute, UCL in Dental Hygiene in 2023. I was recommended for the Dean’s research prize.

‘I also have an interest in behaviour change, not only that of patients, but ours, as professionals. I am currently looking at the barriers that prevent us from discussing oral cancer and how to approach patients about this subject. I have spoken about this subject at the Oral Health Conference in the UK.’

Alison is a member of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) and is part of the BSDHT working group promoting and offering mentoring and coaching for members of the BSDHT. She is also part of the BSDHT Education group.

Robert Leigh 

Robert started out as a dental nurse and went on to qualify as a dental hygienist and therapist from the Eastman Dental Hospital in 2021. He completed a PGDip in Periodontics the following year and is currently studying for a BSc (Hons) Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care degree with Anglia Ruskin University.

Robert splits his working week between NHS Community Dental Services in Oral Health Promotion and a Private Specialist Periodontal Practice, which he says allows him ‘a unique perspective on the dental landscape outside of the typical dental surgery’.

Lauren Long 

Lauren Long is a dental therapist with over 15 years’ experience, working exclusively in private practice in Edinburgh. She is a Clinical Educator, Lecturer and KOL [Key Opinion Leader] for several leading dental companies, as well as writing regular articles for professional publications. Lauren wrote the article ‘Dental therapy: The hidden superpower within your practice’ in BDJ Team in October 2022.

Lauren was awarded ‘Dental Therapist of the Year’ at The Dental Awards 2022, as well as ‘Best Therapist’ at the Dentistry Scotland Awards 2022.

Alongside her clinical work, Lauren currently holds the position of Therapist Clinical Director for Pain Free Dentistry Group, allowing her to explore her passion of supporting other dental therapists and hygienists to achieve the best possible working environment, whilst utilising their entire skillset to create a career they love.

Join us

BDJ Team reader panellists write annually for BDJ Team and are involved with content discussions and feedback. If you are interested in joining the Reader Panel, please contact the Editor, Kate Quinlan.