Talent to inspire
With new categories and criteria, the Scottish Dental Awards this year attracted a record number of entries from all areas of dentistry, whose qualities and achievements left the judges with an unenviable task
Since the Scottish Dental Awards were first held in 2013 they have grown and evolved each year to reflect the breadth and depth of the dental world. 2019 was no different, with the introduction of new categories and criteria, which allowed the awards to truly acknowledge the diversity of skills, knowledge, activities and achievements of the individuals and teams working in dentistry in Scotland.
2019 saw the introduction of another new element, a partnership with the Faculty of Dental Trainers for the Trainer of the Year Award. The Faculty was set up to reward and recognise interest, engagement and achievement in dental training, providing support and guidance for career development in dental training, and promoting standards in training. It was a privilege for all involved to work with them on both the awards and their stream of lectures and workshops at the Scottish Dental Show.
Dr Michael Davidson, Dentsply Sirona, and Dr Brian Nattress, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, celebrate their Innovation Award with their team 
The Outstanding Contribution of Year Award was won by Tryst Dental Practice team led by Principal Dentist Lesley Donaldson (right) and Business Manager Linsey Paton, pictured with Connect Chairman David Cameron 
Practice Manager of the Year Andrena McFarlane with the team from Mount Florida Dental 
Young Clinician of the Year Jane Patterson from Torwood Dental Practice, Clyde Munro, Inverness, with presenter Kerra McKinnie from the award sponsor Scottish Building Society 
Professional Adviser Award winner Michael Royden, Partner, Thorntons Law LLP with award presenter Jennifer Glenn from Dentsply Sirona 
The team from James Watson Laboratory in Glasgow celebrating their win with Connect Managing Director Alan Ramsay (left) 
Louise Bone, Sales/Business Development Consultant at DPAS Ltd, received her award from Adam Stokes of Acteon Group 
The Orthodontic Clinic from Aberdeen won the Specialist/Referral Practice of the Year Award 
Lisa Currie and Ivin Tan, Directors of The Orthodontic Clinic, with Scottish Dental’s Ann Craib 
DCP of the Year Evie Calderhead, Head Dental Nurse at Visage Cosmetic Dental Clinic, Glasgow with Michael Reichel from Orascoptic 
Gordon McGovern, of Aviemore Dental Practice, received the Trainer of the Year Award from Sarah Manton of the Faculty of Dental Trainers 
The Team Award winners from S4S Dental Laboratory, Sheffield, savour their success
One thing that hasn’t changed is the Scottish Dental Awards’ commitment to supporting a charity close to the hearts of the dental world. The charity partner this year was Medics Against Violence (MAV) and £3,000 was raised for their critical work through a charity raffle held in their aid during the awards ceremony and dinner in Glasgow, which was attended by 335 guests and hosted by broadcaster and comedian Fred MacAulay.
The awards celebrate the best of dental practice and patient care in Scotland, acknowledge those individuals and teams in primary and secondary care, NHS and private practice who place their patients at the heart of everything they do and continuously inspire, innovate and lead to deliver excellent patient care and who develop and enhance the dental profession.
The judges for the 15 awards this year were faced with a record number of entries – 137 nominations producing 73 nominees – from all areas of dentistry, so congratulations must go to all the nominees and winners who exemplify these qualities to, ultimately, improve oral health in Scotland.
Lifetime of dedication to their profession
Ken Scoular is a man used to living life on the edge – scaling the Old Man of Hoy twice, taking on the Cresta toboggan run and rescuing people off mountains among other hair-raising exploits. Nonetheless, the nerveless recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was a bit overwhelmed after being honoured by his peers at the Scottish Dental Awards.
Ken’s award recognises his inspiring leadership and significant contribution to dentistry in Scotland and the wider world throughout his career, which included 31 years as a GDP in the Highlands.
Introducing him at the awards ceremony, Jim Hall from Clyde Munro told the audience that Ken’s professional legacy is widespread, from his role in remote and rural education development to his work as Director of General Dental Practice Postgraduate Education in Scotland.
But he added: “I believe his input into the design of dental section of the new Centre for Health Science in Inverness was one of his greatest achievements – it is widely regarded as one of the finest dental education centres in Scotland.”
Equally surprised was another notable winner on the night. Glasgow sole practitioner Fraser McDonald won both the Clinician of the Year Award and the General Practice Award of the Year Award.
Fraser, who opened his Shawlands Cross Dental Practice practice 30 years ago, was unaware that he had even been put forward until his birthday when he was presented with the nomination papers which had been compiled by a key member of his team – his wife Clare.
His surprise was greater when he won both awards, which pay testament to his decades of tireless commitment to his patients, his practice and his profession.
Scottish Dental Awards 2019
- Clinician of the Year
Fraser McDonald, Principal, Shawlands Cross Dental Practice, Glasgow - Scottish Dental Lifetime Achievement Award
Ken Scoular - Professional Adviser Award
Michael Royden, Partner, Thorntons Law LLP - Innovation Award
Dr Michael Davidson, Dentsply Sirona, and Dr Brian Nattress, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh - Laboratory of the Year
JD Watson Dental Lab, Glasgow - Practice Manager of the Year
Andrena McFarlane, Practice Manager, Mount Florida Dental - Leadership Award
Lisa Currie and Ivin Tan, Directors, The Orthodontic Clinic - DCP of the Year
Evie Calderhead, Head Dental Nurse, Visage Cosmetic Dental Clinic, Glasgow - Team Award
S4S Dental Lab, Sheffield - Outstanding Contribution of the Year
Lesley Donaldson and Team, Principal Dentist, Tryst Dental Practice - Trainer of the Year
Gordon McGovern, Dentist/Trainer, Aviemore Dental Practice - Young Clinician of the Year Award
Jane Patterson, Dentist, Torwood Dental Practice, Clyde Munro, Inverness - Practice of the Year Award
General Practice of the Year – Shawlands Cross Dental Practice, Glasgow - Specialist/Referral practice of the Year – The Orthodontic Clinic, Aberdeen
- Sales Consultant Award
Louise Bone, Sales/Business Development Consultant, DPAS Ltd
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