Month: April 2015

Robin Davies, who was Senior Lecturer in Periodontics at Bristol in the late 80’s, died in April 2015 in Manchester aged 74.  He was an able clinician and an enthusiastic teacher and was very popular with both staff and students alike.

Robin trained at Manchester University and played rugby for Manchester University and Broughton Park – he had a trial for Wales.  He passed with distinction in dentistry and knew early on that he wished to pursue an interest in periodontics.  He engaged in further studies in bacteriology and was involved in the early development of chlorhexidine as a mouthwash. Robin was on the lecturing staff at Manchester in his early days and went to Denmark for a year to work with Harald Loe. He then joined ICI and was heavily involved in the development of Corsodyl.  Following this he joined Bristol University and spent some time in Saudi Arabia as a clinician before returning to the UK as research lead for Colgate until he retired.

In retirement Robin was unlucky to suffer from Alzheimer’s. His wife Gill and members of his family supported him through this – he had 10 grandchildren!  He was a very approachable colleague and teacher with a sharp sense of humour.

The funeral was held on Monday 20^th April 2015 in Manchester. Iain Hathorn represented the School.

Chris Stephens has written yet another fascinating article, especially relevant in this the 60th anniversary of the Great War, concerning a local hospital set up to treat injured Australian soldiers.

You can read all about it here

1968 Graduate Des Pyper did not realise just where a holiday to The Gambia would lead.

To read his fascinating article click here

A reception for University of Bristol students who had finished their Diploma in Dental Postgraduate Studies in 2012-13 and 2013-14 was held last month [Saturday 21 February] at the University’s Victoria Rooms. Twenty-six students completed their Diplomas in the academic year 2012-13 and 25 students finished their Diplomas in the academic year 2013-14. These successful candidates joined the fast approaching nine hundred dentists who hold the Diploma.

Dr Nigel Robb, Programme Director and Mr Alasdair Miller, previous Programme Director, welcomed everyone and celebrated the continued success of the programme. The quality of the students was evident when citations, which covered professional activities and outside interests, were read out about the successful candidates who were able to attend the event.

The diplomates were congratulated on their achievements by Professor Jonathan Sandy, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (formerly Head of the School of Oral and Dental Sciences). This was followed by a prize giving ceremony to recognise the success and outstanding achievements of students on individual units within the Bristol University Open Learning for Dentists (BUOLD) programme.

The Schottlander Prize, presented by Sarah Bain, Interim Head of the School of Oral and Dental Sciences, was won by Laurie Powell. The prize is awarded to the best student on the Prosthetics Unit of the course.

The Laurence Oldham prize, which is awarded for the best performance in the Oral Surgery Unit, was presented by Mr Oldham himself to Pamela Ray [2012-13 year] and Nick Gibbs [2013-14 year]. Mr Oldham has been a great supporter of the BUOLD Programme and he has been involved in the development and delivery of the original Oral Surgery unit for nearly 24 years. During the academic year 2013-14 he also stood in for the Unit Lead of the new Surgical Skills 1 course.

The prize for best student in Business Management Skills was awarded to Paula Souto [2013 year] and Mark Dermont [2014 year]. The award was presented by Matthew Pyke, CEO of Lloyd & White, who sponsor the prize.

The Marsh Midda Prize is awarded in memory of the late Marsh Midda, who was Professor of Periodontology at the University of Bristol and a larger than life character who is remembered by all who met him. His widow, Mrs Brenda Midda, attended the reception and presented the prize to Ruth Walker.

Professor Sandy, after thanking the families of students past and present for their support, congratulated all of the successful diplomats and expressed his hope that they would stay in touch with the University.

Professor Sandy also thanked Dana Nedoszytko, the BUOLD Programme Administrator and Amy Gould, the Orthodontic Postgraduate Programme Administrator for organising the day.

The group were photographed on the steps of the Victoria Rooms in the February sunshine and the event finished with refreshments in the Recital Room.

 

 

 

Please click on this image for the full-sized version.

 

 

Front Row from Left
Alasdair Miller (BDA President and former BUOLD Programme Director), Matthew Pyke (CEO of Lloyd & Whyte and Prize Sponsor), Laurie Oldham (Oldham Prize Sponsor), Brenda Midda (Marsh Midda Prize Sponsor), Jonathan Sandy (Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry), Sarah Bain (Head of School of Oral and Dental Sciences), Diana Gould (Special Care Unit Lead), Nigel Robb (BUOLD Programme Director).

Back Rows from Left
Sania Jamshed, Paula Souto, Laurie Powell, Hana Hovorkova, Ruth Walker, Pamela Ray, Claire Harrhy, Yvonne Rooney, Jyothsna Mekala, Katy Tse,  Kamil Ahmed , Anthony Sweeney, Nick Gibbs, Mark Dermont, Ann Ovall, Alex Woodward-Court, Aine McIver, Catherine Bailey, Elaine Forbes, Bashar Helail.

 

Further information on the BUOLD programme is available from the online prospectus or from the BUOLD Administrator (buold-office@bristol.ac.uk).

Next Academic year the following courses will be offered: –

Anxiety Management
Business Management Skills 1 & 2
Conscious Sedation
Endodontics
Full Denture Prosthetics
Law and Ethics
Local Anaesthesia
Periodontics
Surgical Skills 1 & 2

Details on the application process are available from buold-admissions@bristol.ac.uk