The winners of the Dental Defence Union’s (DDU) fifth annual Educational Awards have been revealed at an event in London.
Two finalists in each of the three categories battled it out to demonstrate how they had made a positive educational impact on their students or Vocational Dental Practitioners (VDPs).
They were challenged to show the innovative techniques they had used in teaching and mentoring students. These included a six step decision-making pathway to help DCPs when confronted with an ethical dilemma, shadowing sessions to enable VDPs to find out about a specialist area of dentistry, and an e-course that included podcasts, blogs and discussion forums, allowing students to participate in developing material under guidance from staff.
The winners received £1,000 towards the cost of educational materials for their schools or VT schemes, while all six finalists received a trophy, certificate and a cheque for £250.
The winners and runner-ups in each category were:
DCP Teacher of the Year
Winner – Jane Holt, Leeds Dental Institute
Runner-up – Judy Fraser, School of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry, Portsmouth
Dentist Teacher of the Year
Winner – Giles Perryer, University of Birmingham Dental School
Runner-up – Callum Youngson, University of Liverpool Dental School
VT Teacher of the Year
Winner – Anne Milarvie, Yorkshire Deanery
Runner-up – Catherine Brady, Oxford Deanery.
Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of the DDU, said: ‘Once again we were impressed with the quality of the presentations made by all the finalists and we congratulate all of them for making it to the final stage and setting such a high standard of competition.
‘These awards are an important part of the DDU’s substantial commitment to dental education and I’m delighted that they have captured the imagination of so many students and VDPs, who in large numbers nominate the teachers and trainees who have inspired them.’
Dentist Teacher of the Year Giles Perryer said: ‘The University of Birmingham has an international reputation for supporting excellence in education and I have been encouraged to develop and implement a web-based learning platform, called the e-course, which allows great flexibility to try out new ideas immediately, and this keeps it at the cutting edge of web-based learning.
‘As a GDP myself until very recently, I would also like to pay tribute to the contribution made by GDPs who are involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education and thank the students and staff for the immense amount of help and support they have given me. Receiving this award has been a highpoint in my teaching career. Finally, I am grateful to the DDU and the sponsors of the award for the tangible help they have given to our school (and many others) in the past.’
Jane Holt, winner of the DCP Teacher award, said: ‘I’m honoured to be nominated for this award by my students but I’m also fortunate to work in a team with such enthusiasm for dental education.’
Anne Milarvie, winner in the VT Teacher category, said: ‘I am really flattered to have been selected for this award which recognises and encourages the efforts and passion of all VT teachers in helping to develop the next generation of dentists.
‘Vocational training is such an important phase in a dentist’s career, as it is at this point that the technical education they have been taught as students is integrated with the practicalities of general practice and all that this entails. I have found the whole experience extremely rewarding and would invite all practitioners to consider seriously the benefits of becoming involved in the scheme.’
In addition to the finalists’ presentations, awards attendees also heard from Richard Hayward, dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice, and Nicholas Peacock a barrister specialising in healthcare law. They both addressed the theme of standards, protocols and guidance, and how these are becoming central to today’s clinical practice. The awards were sponsored by Dentsply Ltd and also supported by the BDA.
