The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) held its inaugural Dental Ambassadors Conference on Friday 4 October 2019. 35 UK and International Ambassadors met at the College to develop networks to drive the advancement of Dental Care worldwide by supporting the development of the whole dental team.
The unique UK Ambassador network has three defined roles to support the whole dental team at every stage of their careers: Early Career, Dental Team and Dental Specialty Ambassadors. In addition, there are International Ambassadors from 16 countries who will work in regional networks covering North Africa and the Mediterranean, the Middle East and South East Asia. This worldwide network was established to represent the dental community, shape and influence the direction of dental care provision and build supportive networks both in the UK and Internationally.
Natalie Bradley, one of the first Early Careers Dental Ambassadors, commented:
“I saw this role as a way of connecting key leaders with early career dentists who are working on the ground, not only so that when decisions are made, the younger generation of dentists have a say, but to also help younger dentists feel connected to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and understand its role in our professional landscape.
“Having a network of ambassadors will help connect dentists across regions. This element of the role is crucial – it can be so easy for dentists to become isolated within the four walls of their surgery and for their morale to dip. Having these networks or hearing of opportunities across the UK will help early careers dentists to stay connected to the profession and hopefully help inspire them to develop their own career path.”
RCSEd offers support and resources to dentists at all stages of their career through its Faculty of Dental Surgery and Faculty of Dental Trainers and from its Dental Skills Competition for Dental Undergraduates.
Dental Ambassador Lead and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Professor Helen Craddock, said:
“The Faculty of Dental Surgery is delighted to launch this international network of outstanding individuals who will give direction and support to the development of dental professionals.
"Their remit is to inspire, support, inform and share best practice within the dental environment in their region, leading to a more highly skilled dental workforce, better able to meet the needs of their respective populations.
"This has been an amazingly productive Conference, with dentists and dental care professionals from as far as South East Asia coming together to share their ideas and enthusiasm for developing the dental workforce for the benefit of patient care.”
RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505, and is based in Edinburgh and Birmingham. It is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with a worldwide membership of almost 29,000. The majority of our members practice across the UK, with 11,000 professionals based in England and Wales. The College also has a significant global presence with 11,000 members in over 100 countries worldwide.
The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical and dental workforce. It is also home to the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation.
Find RCSEd here www.rcsed.ac.uk, on Twitter www.twitter.com/RCSEd, on Facebook www.facebook.com/rcsed and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/RCSEd/
Issued by Beattie on behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. For further information, please contact the team on rcsed@beattiegroup.com or Emma Bain on 07730 415 096.