Crowning Glory for Birmingham Student

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Dental Skills Competition

Dentistry

The dental clinical skills competition to discover the UK's best undergraduate dentist reached its climax at the Grand Final in Edinburgh this week. Run by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/) Britain’s oldest surgical Royal College, and Dentsply Sirona (www.dentsplysirona.com) the competition, now in its third year, was won by 23 year-old Edward Newton, who grew up in Sutton Coldfield and is now studying at the University of Birmingham, after a gruelling series of tests designed to push the finalist's skills to the maximum.

"It feels really good to have won. I didn’t expect it whatsoever so it was a pleasant surprise. The most enjoyable part was probably the laparoscopy, it’s something I haven’t done and it went quite well.  It’s my first time in Edinburgh and at the College, the whole place is really nice and everyone is welcoming,” said Edward.

He continued, “Going to the Dentsply Sirona’s forum in Germany is going to be a great experience; seeing some of the development that’s going on in technology and how that’s going to influence the future. This whole experience will help my career ambitions. It’s been a really fun, enjoyable experience. It’s been nerve wracking but rewarding.”

Each of the finalists from the first round of the UK's 16 dental schools undertook a series of challenges devised to test a wide range of clinical skills in dentistry.  

"This year’s dental skills competition really captured every students' enthusiasm and drive by placing them in a competitive situation against the best students from across the UK. The final was extremely exciting but also very challenging as not only did the students’ have to show strong skills but they had to work in a high pressure contest.” Mr Brian Nattress a member of Dental Council at the College and a Consultant Restorative Dentist in Leeds. “I felt honoured to see the students in action and witness again the great sense of camaraderie as they competed alongside colleagues from other dental schools in the Grand Final."

Ed earns an expenses paid 4-day trip to Dentsply Sirona’s Restorative Forum in Konstanz, Germany in June 2017.

Second place was awarded to 32-year-old Marc Harrington, who studies at Queen’s University Belfast with third place given to 24-year-old Stewart McLean who studies at the University of Central Lancashire.

"Following last year’s successful Dental Skills Competition, we are honoured and delighted to continue our partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh to celebrate the talented dental clinicians of tomorrow," said Gerry Campbell, VP & General Manager UK, Dentsply Sirona," This competition continues to bring the best out of students. Through our continued commitment to providing innovative solutions for better, faster, safer dentistry and our expansive education programme, it is our desire and privilege to support dental professionals throughout their career.

The competition is designed to both showcase the great dental talent of the UK's undergraduate dentists and also to help to develop the very best skills and support for our future dental surgeons.  Over 300 students competed for this title from approximately 2,000 final year undergraduates.

"One of the major aims of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is to set and quality assure the highest standards for the dental profession, and recognise that with the award of Membership and Fellowship," said Professor William Saunders, Dean of the Dental Faculty at the RCSEd. "The dental skills competition has proved to be both and exciting and challenging way of ensuring that those standards are challenged and updated annually, with students benefitting from competing against each other and networking between themselves. RCSEd is very keen to interact with the undergraduate dental schools in the UK and this competition provides an excellent way for dental students to engage with us at an important time during their training. We are most grateful to Dentsply Sirona for their collaboration to make this competition possible."

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About The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505, and is the oldest surgical corporation in the world with memberships approaching 25,000 professionals in over 100 countries worldwide. The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through its interest in 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 on Twitter www.twitter.com/RCSEd and on Facebook www.facebook.com/rcsed

The College is based at Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW and can be reached on (0)131 527 1600 or mail@rcsed.ac.uk. In March 2014, a new base opened in Birmingham, catering to the 80% of the College’s UK membership who are based in England and Wales.

For all media enquiries please contact the Communications Team on +447467 485145 or email comms@rcsed.ac.uk 

 

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