Professor Helen Rodd, a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for her commitment to putting the needs of children at the heart of oral health research, and for her services to NHS dentistry.

Abstracts presented at BSPD’s annual conference often have a ripple effect – a local audit or investigation going on to inspire changes across national services. This was certainly true of BSPD’s Awards process in 2020, judged virtually for the first time.

The current number of specialists in paediatric dentistry is insufficient to meet the oral health needs of children and young people. More specialists and consultants are required as well as training in enhanced skills in paediatric dentistry for General Dental Practitioners (GDPs).