Tell us a little about yourself
As a General Dental Practitioner, I have benefitted in my career pathway undertaking Postgraduate qualifications of the FGDP and RCS England to enhance the provision of good clinical care for our patients. I maintain two predominantly NHS practices, and a private practice committed to delivering excellent primary care. I have been a VT (Foundation) trainer for almost 30 years and honorary teacher at Royal London Hospital Dental School and feel privileged to have tutored and mentored many young practitioners throughout my career. As past Regional Adviser and VT Adviser (London Deanery) for 17 years (1996-2014), I have good knowledge and experience of the need and support and mentoring for practitioners in developing career pathways. I have also served previously as an examiner for the DGDP (UK) the MFGDP and the MJDF examinations and Examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses. I bring additional experience in this role through my past experience as a member of the Fitness to Practice panel of the GDC, Board member at Dental Protection, Board member and Vice-Chair at Dentists Provident Society as well as the elected Chair of Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow LDC. I have financial experience of Audit and Governance from my experience at Dentists Provident.
How did you first get involved in the LDC?
I got involved with the LDC through colleagues locally and nationally and out of personal interest as a wet fingered GDP
What has been a highlight for you so far of being involved in your LDC?
The most valuable aspect has been assisting colleagues locally when they were in difficulties with the then PCTs or NHS England and advising on contract negotiations and aspects of General practice. The LDC was usually, and should remain. the first port of call if colleagues need advice.
What skills have you developed as a result of your involvement with the LDC?
From my other lives in dentistry, I brought experience and input into LDC and gained value from the experiences of policy development within the LDC. Local commissioners tangibly
worked with the LDC. In the current system the relationship is more remote.
How do you see yourself applying the skills you’ve developed at your LDC in your wider life and career?
I have valued the engagement in all aspects of LDC work and developed greater insight into the workings and development of policy in relation to Dentistry and widely.
What would you say to colleagues who are interested but hesitant to get involved in the LDC?
Please, please register with your LDC, and join our online briefings or better still come to face to face meetings and see what benefit you can bring. Visit the website. we want to listen and hear from you. LDCs are a good conduit to involve and influence local changes and improvement as well as develop new initiatives.
If LDCs didn’t exist what would that mean for the profession?
Without the LDCs the conduit of championing the cause of GDPs would be lost and the profession would lose a pivotal voice.
What do you do to relax outside of dentistry?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and watching sport.