Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

May 21-27, 20126 News United Kingdom Edition K ing’s College London Dental Institute host- ed the first conjoint in Orthodontics on 23-26 April 2012 under the auspices of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Previous successful arrange- ments had been in place for the previous four years allowing a conjoint MClinDent and MRD examination in the restora- tive specialties. This conjoint, in the era of major governance frameworks, was one of the new style conjoint arrangements. In the Orthodontic specialty, the Membership in Or- thodontics is assessments were closely intertwined with the assessment for the Master of Science in Orthodontics. The conjoint ar- rangement offers major ad- vantages for all those involved, exposing candidates to a rig- orous and robust assessment process yet supporting the can- didate experience. The examiners represent- ed both organisations and had a broad experience in exami- nation of all aspects of spe- cialist knowledge. They all adapted well to the combined process with major positive outcomes from this unique integration. The examinations were or- ganised by Fraser McDonald, Professor of Orthodontics at the Dental Institute. He said: ‘In the days of professional leave restrictions and constraints in health service financial rewards in all employing authorities, this seems the only way forwards to ensure objective specialist eval- uation. It can only help support the basis of having independ- ent bodies approving specialist knowledge’. The examiners included (shown in the picture, back row from left to right) David Tew- son, Alan Jones, Fraser McDon- ald, Dirk Bister, Jeremy Breck- on, and Nigel Taylor (front row from left to right); Samantha Hodges, Anna Gibilaro, Marga- ret Collins, Robert Evans. Lindsay Winchester and Martyn Cobourne (not shown) also supported the combined process with their experience in aspects of the examinations. The process was observed by Simon Camilleri and Kevin Mulligan from the University of Malta. DT King’s hosts first conjoint in Orthodontics under the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Back row from left to right) David Tewson, Alan Jones, Fraser McDonald, Dirk Bister, Jeremy Breckon, and Nigel Taylor (front row from left to right); Samantha Hodges, Anna Gibilaro, Margaret Collins, Robert Evans. B ridge2Aid are delight- ed to announce that A P McCoy OBE joins us as a new Patron. A P Mc- Coy won BBC Sports Person- ality of the year in 2010 and has been British Jump Rac- ing Champion Jockey every year since 1995/96. The previous winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cham- pion Hurdle, King George VI Chase and the Grand Na- tional had this to say of his involvement with Bridge2Aid: “I am delighted to be a patron of Bridge2Aid as I have been aware for some time of the invaluable work the charity does. My dentist has been involved with Bridge2Aid for several years, and we have tried over the years to support him and his practice with their fundraising efforts. “Bridge2Aid provides sup- port which is not built on one- off aid, but on a sustainable approach to the communities they serve. I admire the pas- sion and dedication the char- ity’s staff and volunteers bring to their work; qualities which are not out of place in National Hunt racing, of course; as well as their commitment to train- ing and long-term investment in people. “I really do feel that together we can make a real difference to people’s lives in one of the poorer parts of the world and urge you to sup- port them in whatever way you can”. Shaenna Loughnane, Bridge2Aids UK Manager said: “We are really pleased that A.P has agreed to become a pa- tron. He has been a supporter of our work for many years now, showing an interest in the work that we do and help- ing raise much needed funds for Bridge2Aid.” DT A P McCoy OBE joins Bridge2Aid as new patron P atients in rural Uganda have potentially avoid- ed extractions and kept more of their own teeth thanks to DENTSPLY glass ionomer materials. The company do- nated materials to the Teeth for Life project organised by DENTAID and Christian Relief Uganda. Project leader Barbara Koffman, who has been visit- ing Uganda since 1996 to run free dental pain relief clinics, says donations make a big dif- ference to people with little or no access to dental care. “When I first went to Uganda, I found a government clinic with very little in it, just two or three forceps and a mouth mirror without a handle,” says Barbara. She developed a mobile clin- ic, staffed by volunteer dentists, hygienists and nurses to give hy- giene instruction alongside clini- cal care. Onthemostrecenttrip,inFeb- ruary and March, a small drill and the DENTSPLY GI material made a big difference. “Rather than take painful teeth out, we were able to restore them,” says Barbara. “We are very grateful for any help we are given.” The next visits to Uganda will be leaving on 1st June and 6th September. Any qualified staff wishing to volunteer to help – with partners attending as help- ers – can find out more at www. dentaid.org DT Donated materials save teeth in rural Uganda L eeds-based solici- tors Cohen Cramer has been instructed by Derek Watson, former CEO of the Dental Professionals Association (DPA), in his un- fair dismissal claim follow- ing the proposed transfer of DPA assets. After taking independent legal advice on behalf of the members, Derek Watson ad- vised the DPA’s Council that the transfer was unlawful, requiring a majority vote of DPA members. The proposed transfer went ahead and shortly afterwards, Derek was suspended for gross miscon- duct and subsequently dis- missed despite having an ex- emplary employment record. Derek Watson said “I am devastated, having worked for the DPA and its members for seven years, by Council’s de- cision to instantly dismiss me following my advice on their legal obligations regarding the transfer of DPA assets. I am still hoping for, and work- ing towards, a positive solu- tion for the Association and its members.” Cohen Cramer, specialist lawyers to the dental profes- sion, have submitted a claim to the Employment Tribunal. “No employee should have to tolerate the kind of treat- ment described by Mr Watson. We are pursuing a number of claims with both the DPA and CODE to address this situ- ation”, says Sarah Leyland, Head of Dental Employment Law. DT CEO of DPA takes legal action over unfair dismissal Derek Watson Dentsply donates materials to Teeth for Life project