Diploma Ceremonies are undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated events on the College calendar, with Fellows and Members travelling from all corners of the globe to attend. We are therefore delighted that we can once again recognise the achievements of our Diplomates in-person at our Edinburgh campus following what has undoubtedly been a tough year for all.
To celebrate, we wanted to share the journeys of some of our Diplomates; from how their interest in their fields came about to what their career journeys have looked like, and how their Diploma Ceremony experience went. Husband and wife Dr Kristian Barnfather and Dr Olivia Barnfather talked us through their experiences, having recently attended their Diploma Ceremony together to jointly commemorate their Membership of the Faculty of Dental Trainers:
We met at Dental School at The University of Leeds, undertook our Membership examinations (Olivia in London, Kit in Edinburgh) before embarking careers in both dental practice (Kit working in Cavendish Square, London and Harrogate whilst undertaking Perio and Restorative training, Olivia clinically in a large NHS practice in the North West as a GDP whilst working for Health Education England as a Training Programme Director for Foundation Dental Training and also PLVE. We have both been involved in the academic side of dental surgery, teaching undergraduate, postgraduate, FD training and mentoring dentists, as such, Membership of the Faculty of Dental Trainers was clearly the next step. We both enjoyed a great day at our joint ceremony, with our family and son Max, who might just be the next generation to uphold the unparalleled standards of [the RCSEd].