The newly formed team comprises a director of dentistry, a head of general dentistry, a head of dental nursing, and a head of dental hygiene and therapy, with each member appointed to represent and empower their respective clinical communities.
Neil Sikka will lead the Clinical Advisory Team as the appointed director of dentistry, reporting to Mark Allan, general manager for Bupa Dental Care, and taking an advisory position within the dental executive team to play a critical role in strategic direction and initiatives. Neil is a clinician with over 30 years of experience and brings a wealth of knowledge from his roles as chief dental officer for Bupa UK Insurance and chair of the Bupa Foundation Dental Community. All further appointments will report to Neil.
Anni Seaborne will take the head of general dentistry role, focusing on clinical innovation and supporting the next generation of clinicians. With seven years of experience as a qualified dentist and an MSc in Sports Dentistry, Anni brings a wealth of expertise. Her background includes roles with England Rugby, Harlequins, and McLaren F1, emphasising her commitment to clinical excellence and innovation.
Amelia Hodgson has been appointed as the head of dental nursing. Having started her career as an apprentice dental nurse, Amelia's journey at Bupa Dental Care since 2019 reflects her dedication, culminating in her role as area lead nurse. She will collaborate closely with the dental nursing community in her new capacity, focusing on attraction, retention, and development.
Caitlin Miller will join as the head of dental hygiene and therapy. With initial experience as a dental nurse and subsequent graduation as a hygienist and therapist, Caitlin brings a holistic perspective. She will represent dental hygienists and therapists, influencing industry agendas and providing valuable insights to the business.
Mark Allan, Bupa Dental Care general manager, commented, "The creation of our Clinical Advisory Team reflects our commitment to investing in our people across our vast network of clinical communities, ensuring the voice of each of our dental specialists in our practice teams is heard and valued.
“The appointments of Neil, Anni, Amelia, and Caitlin will further strengthen our senior team, bringing strong, dynamic leadership and oversight and keeping us in sync with what our people need and our patients want. These hires also demonstrate our commitment to investing in our internal talent, following several talent development, networking and collaboration events.”
The new team will complement the existing clinical teams within the business’ Operations, People, Risk, and Compliance teams.