Young Dentist is proud to announce the winners of Fast Track 4 2016.
With the help of DMG, Dentistry magazine’s quest to find the stars of the future has been achieved.
Fast Track 4 has been running since June in a bid to celebrate the talent of four young dentists. Entries were based on innovative ideas implemented in practice, demonstrable leadership, achievements and local community or charity work.
All winners have won:
- A trip to Hamburg with DMG
- A free subscription to all FMC titles
- A profile piece in Dentistry
- An award and recognition at The Young Dentist Awards 2016.
Below we present you with a profile on each winner. Keep an eye out in future editions for more from our four winners. Congratulations all!
Shiraz Khan
Dr Shiraz Khan graduated from the University of Birmingham Dental School in 2013. Having successfully completed foundation training and winning several prizes he continued with his professional development working as a dental core trainee in restorative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery and paediatric dentistry/orthodontics East Surrey, Croydon University and Guys and St Thomas hospitals.
At an early stage Shiraz was invited to lecture to young dentists around the country. Progressing in his career in additional post-graduate qualifications and building a portfolio of achievements means that Shiraz is nothing short of an aspirational individual. He invests time into his career development and experience, regularly sharing with like-minded professionals.
Shiraz takes pride and time in ensuring that all of his patients feel at ease when visiting, allowing for all options to be explored and discussed to provide tailored-treatment plans for those patients.
Shiraz enjoys providing aesthetic and restorative solutions to patients, making sure a minimally-invasive approach to all cosmetic dentistry is always provided. He has recently been invited to become part of the fellowship program/lecturer for Voco, a specialist material manufacturer for contemporary dentistry.
Carrying memberships to the British Society and British Academy of Restorative Dentistry, and a committee member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Young Dentist Academy allows Shiraz to be at the cutting edge of dentistry, always striving and developing to give his patients optimal outcomes.
Shiraz is a very active individual. In his spare time, he very much enjoys travelling and competitive dance.
Rhodri Thomas
Rhodri graduated from Cardiff University with honours and has since developed a particular interest in aesthetic and restorative dentistry, and the treatment of anxious patients. He is passionate about his profession and strives to provide a specialised tailor-made service to all of his patients.
He was recently shortlisted by Dental Circle for Best Young Dentist UK 2016 and also by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry as a rising star of cosmetic dentistry, as well as winning the Welsh Deanery ‘Best Smile Transformation.’ He was the winner of the British Society of Prosthodontics Heraues Kulzer Prize for his work on tooth wear and now lectures and teaches on the subject of aesthetic white fillings. Rhodri also acts as director of the Cardiff area for ‘Dentinal Tubules’ a nationwide network of dentists.
Rhodri was invited to the 2014 ADR Congress in Dubrovnik to give a presentation on ‘Tooth wear and erosion, a modern challenge for the modern dentist.’ Recently, he has had an article published in the 2015 SAAD digest regarding ‘pain control in dentistry’ and an article covering ‘Composite case reports’ in the 2016 Probe magazine while completing part one of the MJDF examinations with the Royal College of Surgeons England. He will now be presenting a lecture on Composite Artistry at the BDIA Dental Showcase in October.
Outside of dentistry Rhodri paints and sells his own artwork, this background in art is invaluable for the hands-on nature of the profession and creating a natural aesthetic outcome.
Alif Moosajee
Dr Alif Moosajee is the author of the book The Smiling Dentist and principal dentist at Oakdale Dental.
Alif wanted to write a book that would help patients but he decided to donate all of the proceeds from the book to Bridge2aid. Alif has seen the poverty, desperation and suffering first hand. Helping a charity that sends dental professionals out to some of the poorest people to treat their dental pain and problems, but also trains local healthcare workers to carry on that good work, is something that Alif really wanted to help with.
Alif has been principal dentist at Oakdale Dental for two years. It is a large practice doing general and specialist dentistry. He is very proud of transforming the practice and team and realising his vision. He is passionate about education. He has created a training facility at Oakdale Dental, is chair of the ITI and Tubules study clubs in Leicester and holds regular study events for dentists and dental professionals. Alif identified that there was an educational and peer support gap in Leicester and he wanted to fill it with a group that could meet regularly to share, learn and connect together.
He regularly appears on BBC TV and radio and Channel 5 News discussing dental topics, most notably the children’s high caries rates in Leicester.
Alif’s practice holds a twice-yearly ‘Kid’s Day’ where children become the focus and a fun, positive, educational message is imparted along with children having their dental health checks too.
Galer Farrer
Galer Farrer graduated with BDS honours in 2008 from Sheffield University. She became president of the Dental Society and won the Annual Prize for General Dental Practice.
While completing her vocational training, Galer passed her MJDF RCS Eng and MFSS RCS Edin. Following this she undertook a SHO position in the Community Dental Service and also completed an 18-month one-to-one implant course.
Galer is currently in the middle of her first practice purchase and aims to be principal by December 2016. ‘I am a creative and enthusiastic individual with a cheerful personality, excellent communication skills and a very positive outlook. I am extremely well motivated and I never sit still!’ she says. Her hobbies include travelling, cooking, skiing, needlework and up-cycling furniture.
Her charity work involves runs to raise money for Dentaid and Ashgate Hospice and also providing oral health education at her son’s nursery and to the local Beavers. She also helps to run the Residential Oral Care in Sheffield programme.
