We’re coming in to the last term of what has been a busy year at the Bristol Dental Hospital. Time definitely flies when you have to balance getting patients in (always an uphill struggle), getting your totals done and, of course, getting some quality time in down at the dental bar.

Bristol punked it up at the BDSA sports day in Preston at the beginning of the academic year. It wasn’t just our outfits that exceeded expectations but also the skills of our rugby team! Despite being hungover and noticeably smaller than the average rugby player, we managed to beat Cardiff and Liverpool and gave a good effort against Newcastle –which a dislocated shoulder can vouch for! We couldn’t have a Sports Day and not have a traditional rush in to A&E now could we?!

We’ve had numerous themed socials throughout the social calendar, from pyjamas and headgear with people sporting wigs and funky hats, to ortho appliances! In December we had our annual Brist-iff social – I think it’s fair to say Bristol students held the flag high and successfully conquered Cardiff (again!). In the near future we’re looking forward to a social aptly named „young and unprofessional’ which will bring together Bristol dentists, medics and vets. The rivalry has been there for years, but I know dentists will always come out on top!

This year, the student website (www.ubdss.com) was relaunched by our hardworking webmaster, and a new Dentaid post was introduced to the committee, a worthwhile cause that we are proud to be more involved in. The hospital hosted a charity slave auction and raised over £2,000 in order to help raise awareness in improving oral health worldwide. Thankfully, the Alumni also played a role in supporting this, from drinks to offering things to be auctioned. Some of the most bidded-for items being drinks and dinner with Mr. Bob Miller, an Aga-cooked dinner by Mrs. Louise Nash, your ironing done by Mrs. Risley Pritchard, dinner cooked by Mr. Matt Garrett and Dr. Sally Hanks, and students offering themselves to be butlers in the buff – just to name a few!

The Hathorn Bar has had a change in managers when the new committee got elected, and they have been doing an amazing job at keeping it alive and certainly kicking, with Sky installed and numerous plasma screens. The managers certainly know how to keep the punters happy as they now even serve Zero Degrees beer from the tap. With summer coming closer, I can’t wait to get some new outdoor seating so we can enjoy some BBQs in the rays.

In January, the Dental Ball committee did a fabulous job in organising a „Secret Garden’-themed Ball. It was the first Ball I had ever been to whilst being a student here and it really didn’t disappoint. With real-life statues, face painting and ivy sprawled across the tables and chairs for décor, it really set the mood. The alumni also hosted the champagne reception which I know is always much appreciated.

At the moment Year 4 are getting prepared for this year’s revue! With scripts written and filming already started, it looks like the final years are going to receive a very memorable send off – more for some particular individuals than others! On that note, I would like to thank Sarah and the 2009 committee for all their hard work for us students last year.

The new committee have got 2010 off to a brilliant start, and I know there will be much more to come from us before we pass the baton on again!