BSPD’s Outstanding Innovation Award (OIA) which celebrates inspiring and innovative schemes to improve the oral health of children enters its sixth year in 2022. Entries are invited from anyone with an initiative or scheme which has a demonstrable impact on children’s oral health. By creating positive publicity around innovative schemes, BSPD’s aim is to encourage, promote and disseminate good practice.

Four exceptional dentists, who have all left an indelible legacy on the specialty of paediatric dentistry, have been awarded Honorary Life Membership of BSPD. Richard Welbury, Barbara Chadwick, Stephen Fayle and Linda Arch have all played important leadership roles, both clinically and personally, serving in different capacities on BSPD’s national executive.

November sees the departure of BSPD’s PR consultant, Caroline Holland, who has developed and finessed the media relations role - promoting the mission and purpose of the Society - over the last seven years. Caroline’s vision for BSPD has meant that over this period the Society is now seen as the go-to authority voice on matters of paediatric dentistry. With a raised profile and awareness, BSPD now sees itself called upon by media to give an informed opinion on behalf of the UK’s leading paediatric clinical and research professionals. She has overseen a new consistency to oral healthcare messaging and a greater awareness amongst both the dental profession, and the general public of the latest developments in children’s oral health and the Society’s recommended preventative approach.

A new research initiative is being established to take the dental profession’s understanding of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and its impact on patients into a new era. Led by Greig Taylor, a BSPD member and Chairman of CONNECT, a research collaborative for trainees, the initiative will bring together academics keen to share knowledge as well as to gain the input of children and young people in optimum management of the condition.

A landmark statement from the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers in support of water fluoridation has contributed to the growing momentum in favour of this most cost-effective of measures to reduce dental decay. In response to the CMO’s statement, BSPD has updated its position statement to incorporate their key comments. Also welcome is the ensuing statement from the Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley. She said that the CMOs’ statement was “welcome endorsement of water fluoridation’s health benefits and safety” from the UK’s most senior doctors.