Tristen joins the BDA from leading public affairs agency Stratagem, where he served as health lead for four years, overseeing accounts ranging from Cancer Focus NI and the British Heart Foundation, to community providers such as Specsavers.
He has also served as a political advisor to an MEP, and has lead on policy for the Integrated Education Fund and The Ulster Farmers Union. He is due to start at the BDA on September 4.
Roz McMullan, chair of the BDA’s Northern Ireland Council, said, "Dentistry in Northern Ireland faces unprecedented change. Tristen brings a wealth of experience in health policy and campaigns to help our members meet those challenges head on. We are proud to have him join our team."
Tristen Kelso added, "I am delighted to join the BDA as its Northern Ireland Director. While we do not yet have a government at Stormont, we do have unfinished business on contracts and an oral health strategy that is need of an urgent update. My commitment is to offer the strongest possible voice for dentists in Northern Ireland."