Act now, shape tomorrow; dental leadership event announced
Network event will explore strategic shifts in dental care.
Details of the 10th Dental Leadership Network (DLN) event on 18 November have been announced.
Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, will join the DLN in the morning and deliver a keynote speech.
Speakers will include Rebecca Harris, Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Liverpool.
A panel discussion focused on strategic shifts across the four nations will feature the UK’s Chief Dental Officers.
The afternoon workshop will explore how dental professionals would like to see things work for patients in five years’ time.
With a stretched system, many patients are finding it difficult to access dental services and the sector itself faces ongoing economic uncertainty and stress.
The DLN was formed in response to this and lays the groundwork for collaboration with others, so that we can share insight and resolve some of the leadership challenges in the sector.
DLN Agenda – 18 November 2025
| 09:30 | Registration and refreshments |
| 10:00 | Opening keynote – The future direction of dentistry Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, Q&A facilitated by Joanne Rewcastle |
| 10:30 | Welcome and introduction – Celebrating DLN 10 Joanne Rewcastle, Associate Director, Communications and Engagement, GDC. |
| 10:45 | Keynote – The policy cycle Rebecca Harris, Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Liverpool. |
| 11:15 | Lightning talk TBC |
| 11:20 | Refreshment break and networking |
| 11:45 | Panel discussion – What do the three strategic shifts mean across the four nations? Q&A facilitated by Colin MacKenzie, Head of Nations and Engagement, GDCPanellists:Andrew Dickenson, CDO Wales, Tom Ferris, CDO Scotland, Caroline Lappin, CDO Northern Ireland, Jason Wong, CDO England. |
| 12:45 | Buffet lunch and networking |
| 13:50 | Lightning talkTBC |
| 13:55 | Lightning talkTBC |
| 14:00 | Workshop – How would you like things to work for patients in five years’ time (and how does the DLN prepare now to achieve this)? Five-minute introduction from facilitator, followed by 45-minute table discussion and 20-minute feedback discussion. Facilitated by Catherine Rutland, Director of Policy and Clinical Affairs, Association of Dental Groups and Joanne Bowles, Chair, British Association of Dental Therapists. Focused discussions on the three shifts – hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention. How do we measure the benefit and value of all the small incremental things we get from attending or being part of the DLN? What should the DLN focus on over the next ten events? |
| 15:15 | Summary and close Helen Phillips, Chair, GDC |
| 15:30 | Networking until 16:30 Refreshments provided |