Teacher's branch study day

Dr Sondos Albadri, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, Vice Dean for Research and PG Studies, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool 

Sondos is a Professor in Paediatric Dentistry and is the Vice Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University of Liverpool. She works clinically as a consultant at  Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Sondos's research focuses on improving the quality of clinical outcomes, enhancing patient experience, and optimising care pathways, with a special interest in Dental Trauma and Children with complex health conditions. Sondos developed the PG programme in Liverpool and holds various leadership roles, including chair of the Royal College of Surgeons England Faculty of Dental Surgery research committee. She served as the President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry in 2021/2022. Sondos is the UK Councillor for EAPD  and a member of the educational committee.


Dr Alaa Bani Hani, Chair of BSPD Teachers’ Branch

Dr Alaa Bani Hani is a consultant in paediatric dentistry at Kings College Dental Hospital-London. She is the chair of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry Teacher’s Branch, and the Teachers’ Branch representative at the Quality Improvement Research and Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons-Edinburg Speciality Advisory Board in paediatric dentistry and a member of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry Media team.  Alaa obtained the Bachelor Degree in Dental Surgery in 2006. Following that she worked as a General Dental Practitioner for three years before she obtained her clinical masters in Paediatric Dentistry in 2010. In 2016, she was awarded PhD in Paediatric Dentistry from School of Dentistry, University of Leeds-UK. Her PhD aimed to assess the outcomes, cost effectiveness and treatment acceptance of different caries management techniques in children. Following that she was appointed as NIHR funded a Clinical Lecturer and Specialty Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry at University of Leeds and Leeds Dental Institute in 2017-2021. Alaa became a specialist in paediatric dentistry in 2021 and a consultant in 2023. Alaa Bani Hani is a regular speaker at national and international conferences and is a referee for a number of international journals. She has more than 18 peer-reviewed publications mainly in the field of dental caries prevention and arrest as well as tooth wear. Her most recent publication ‘Minimal intervention dentistry for managing carious lesions into dentine in primary teeth: an umbrella review’ has contributed to the development of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry guidelines on caries management in children. Alaa is a co-author of these guidelines. Alaa was awarded the first poster prize at the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry in Turin-Italy (2017) for her PhD work and the second poster prize at the Health Education England Academic Presentation Day in York (2017) for Clinical Lecturers category for her collaborative research project “Raised in Yorkshire: Supporting School Children to Undertake Oral Health Projects”. The latter won the University of Leeds Public Engagement award for doing research in partnership in 2017. 


Professor Siobhan Barry, Clinical Lead Paediatric Dentistry, Professor and Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, University of Manchester

Professor Barry attended the Leeds Dental Institute for her Paediatric Specialty Training. She also completed a Clinical Doctorate in Paediatric Dentistry through the University of Leeds, with a thesis entitled, “Improving Access and Reducing Barriers to Dental Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”. After an additional 2 years consultant training in the Leeds Dental Institute, she was appointed as a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester in October 2014 and was promoted to Professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Manchester in 2020. She is the Director of Graduate Education and also the academic lead for undergraduate Paediatric Dentistry for the Division of Dentistry, and Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Dental Department. She regularly speaks nationally and internationally and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals.


Dr Fiona Ellwood, Academic Lead and Lecturer at University Bangor, and Exec Director at Society of British Dental Nurses 

Mental Health First Aider and campaigner. Fiona is the Chair of the Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry and an advocate for Mental Health Wellness for the whole dental team. She has presented nationally and internationally on this topic and continues to raise awareness through articles and presentations regularly. She is also part of MINDSETUK, who are currently writing a number of papers based on a 4 nation research study. She is also presenting at the NHS Sumit in June and is part of nhs One Voice. Fiona Has 42 years in dentistry and is currently employed part-time at Bangor University as a lecturer (Dental) on the Dental hygiene IPE module and is the Academic Lead and moderator for dental nursing. She is an External Examiner at Athlone Institute and at Portsmouth University. Fiona Has co-edited a recent textbook and has presented a model of career opportunities that is relatable to the whole dental team.Her clinical work is currently limited to charity work for Dentaid where she is trustee. Fiona has established a number of academic courses over the years and is an education associate and member of the overseas registration panel. She is also a co-investigator in a vast NIHR research project (Enhance-D)at Newcastle University.In her academic career, she has written broadly, with a keen interest in professional and ethical practice, reflective practice and reflexivity and professional identity. Her research interests lie in governance, Human Factors and patient safety sciences and inequalities in health. Fiona is renowned for her extensive work in mentoring both in dentistry and beyond and her drive for Mental health Wellness in dentistry. She is also behind the dental nurse historian special interest group.Fiona has held privileged seats such as the Chair of the National Oral Health Promotion Group and the President of the Society of British Dental Nurses and has been a representative voice on the extensive and fast-paced research during the pandemic, the wider NHS mental health voice and is a co- founder of the International Federation of Dental Assistants and Nurses. Fiona also founded the Dental Professional Alliance and co-chaired the Mental Health Wellness Group and the Human Factors IN Dentistry Group. She is a member of the Diversity in Action Group as a member of British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry and the driving force behind the International Coalition for Oral Health Practitioners, being awarded a certificate from Berlin and Glasgow Universities.Her qualifications include working towards a Doctorate in education, a Master’s in Education with an additional arm of Leadership and Management, an MSc postgraduate certificate in Human Factors in patient safety sciences, an MSc Post graduate certificate in public health, an MA Postgraduate certificate in Mentoring in Dentistry, a BA in Educational Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Compulsory Education. Fiona was the first dental care professional to be awarded an honorary Fellowship by the Faculty of General Dental Practice and an early recipient of a Fellowship of the Faculty of Dental Trainers by the Royal College of Edinburgh. She is a key opinion leader and author for a number of dental journals and undertaking Expert Witness work.Fiona was an honorary Vice President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, a former president of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) and an examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses. She was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award to Dental Nursing by BADN and the Special Recognition Award by NEBDN, she was awarded a Queen’s Honour in 2019 for her contribution to dentistry.Fiona holds professional memberships through qualification and experience with the Faculty of Public Health, Royal Society of Public Health, Institute of Administrators and Management, the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and the Academy of Medical Educators and the European Mentors and Coaching Council, to name but a few.


Dr Yasmin Egonu, Dental undergraduate student, University of Manchester

Dr Yasmin Egonu is a recent graduate from the University of Manchester. In 2023, she was the recipient of the BSPD undergraduate poster prize, following her poster presentation entitled “Expanding the community reach of Undergraduate Paediatric Dentistry – the DiPS project”. In her first year of undergraduate study, Dr Egonu founded the ‘Dentists in Primary Schools Project’ (DiPS) – a local outreach project focused on delivery oral health education to schools in disadvantaged areas.


Dr Laura Gartshore, Undergraduate Programme Director, Senior Lecturer & Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, University of Liverpool

Laura is a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Liverpool School of Dentistry, where she is Undergraduate Programme Director. She completed specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry in 2012, before heading to Sydney for a Clinical Fellow secondment. On return to the UK, Laura completed an academic and consultant training pathway in 2016. Laura is President Elect of the Education Research Group of International Association for Dental Research. Her own research interests include dental education, dental trauma, and leadership. She completed the Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leaders Fellowship in 2019, and holds roles with RCS England and WinS as a speaker, mentor, and educator. Laura is the Faculty National Specialty Director for Paediatric Dentistry, and she has a lead role within the ISFE team. Laura has presented widely as an invited speaker about opportunities and challenges faced in undergraduate education, and about how we can work together to 'train, retain and reform', our workforce. Scope of practice of the multidisciplinary team often remains poorly understood, to the detriment of teamworking. For children to access the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, the profession is required to have a flexible and appropriately trained skill mix. The NHS needs to develop healthcare professionals who can adapt to meet the oral health needs of the population whilst leveraging a sustainable workforce. In 2019, the School of Dentistry at the University of Liverpool introduced a novel ‘Centennial Curriculum’ designed to fully integrate the interprofessional training of dentists and dental therapists. Laura will discuss the drivers for change, and the opportunities and challenges faced, and how these have been addressed.


Dr Sadie Karia, Dental Core Trainee, University Hospital Crosshouse and Glasgow Dental Hospital 

Sadie Karia has recently completed her DCT 2 year, spending six months in OMFS at University Hospital Crosshouse and six months in Restorative Dentistry at Glasgow Dental Hospital. She graduated from Bristol Dental Hospital in 2021 and completed her Foundation Training on the North West London Scheme. She is aspiring to obtain a Speciality Trainee post in Paediatric Dentistry following her DCT 1 year in Paediatric Dentistry at Newcastle Dental Hospital. 


Dr Faye Henesy, Speciality Trainee in Paediatric Dentistry at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield

Faye Henesy is currently a Speciality Trainee in Paediatric Dentistry at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield and is completing a Masters in Paediatric Dentistry alongside this. She graduated from Sheffield in 2019 and has completed 3 dental core training years in different units around the country. She has a keen interest in recruitment and provision of the training pathway for speciality trainees. 


Dr Anastasios Plessas, Honorary University Fellow and General Dental Practitioner, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth

Anastasios Plessas is a general dental practitioner and an honorary fellow at the faculty of health at the University of Plymouth. Anastasios graduated from the Dental School of Athens in 2008 and completed an MSc in Periodontics in primary dental care at the university of Glasgow in 2014. Anastasios held an NIHR funded academic clinical fellowship post in primary dental care at the University of Plymouth between 2014 and 2020. Anastasios currently shares his time between general dental practice and academia undertaking a PhD in dental education. Anastasios led a project on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Dentistry: A Rapid Evidence Assessment, commissioned by the General Dental Council in 2021.  


Ms. Robyn Spencer, Clinical lecturer and Dental Therapist Tutor, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool

I have worked within NHS and private dentistry for 13 years with a real passion for paediatric dentistry and implementing dental therapist full scope of practice. I currently work in general practice and Liverpool dental hospital as a dental therapist and clinical lecturer. I have the additional pleasure of providing post graduate training courses and speaking at regional and international conferences to disseminate research and talk about undergraduate teaching and smile squad, the UOL community initiative. My recent achievements include Robin Davies’ DCP research award for my work with smile squad.


Professor Richard Welbury, Emeritus Professor in Paediatric dentistry, University of Glasgow 

  • BDS Hons (1978), MB BS (1984) and PhD (1989), University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • In 1991 Regional Consultant/Senior Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • 2001-2015 Professor in Paediatric Dentistry, Director of PG Education and Deputy Head of the UG School
  • 2015-2019 Director of Research at the Dental School of University of Central Lancashire
  • Published over 170 scientific articles, 11 book chapters, co-author of six textbooks including ‘Paediatric Dentistry’ (1st ed 1996 and 5th ed 2018) and has supervised over twenty research degrees including PhD, DDS, MPhil and MSc.
  • Training Programme Director for Specialist Training in both Newcastle and Glasgow and Chairman of the Standing Advisory Committee of the combined Royal Colleges for Specialist Training 2003-2006.
  • President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (2001-2002), President of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (2006-2008) and Dean of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (2013-2016).
  • Appointed CBE in 2019 for services to dental education and the safeguarding of children.


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