Staff at the Dental Academy were awarded the ‘High Performing Education and Training Team of the Year’ for their enormous contribution working in and delivering education and training. The awards are organised by Health Education Wessex to recognise excellence in the NHS across Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight and South Wiltshire.
One of the programmes recognised was a supervised tooth-brushing programme designed to increase good oral health in young children. In the last year nearly 900 children have benefitted from the scheme.
The Dental Academy has also offered dental screening, oral health advice and treatment to nearly 200 isolated young males. Each week students visit them at a treatment centre for drug and substance misuse, a service for homeless young people and the probation service.
Dental Academy director, Sara Holmes, said: “We’re passionate about looking after the health of people in the Portsmouth community and I am absolutely delighted that we have won an award. It’s really important we equip young professionals to deal with alternative clinical learning environments and I feel very proud that our work in this area has been recognised.”
One of the judges, Allan Jolly, director of Education and Quality for Health Education Wessex, said: “We thought the winning entry was truly outstanding. The depth of thought, planning and preparation behind this entry was exceptional and the team are commended for their foresight and ability, not only to think differently, but act upon this and deliver demonstrable benefits to both citizens and students.
“These innovative projects not only broadens the student’s undergraduate experience of care settings and enhances multi-professional care but it also encourages a change in the traditional treatment model and will help equip future generations of dental professionals with the diversity of skills required to thrive in this ever-changing world.”
Final-year dental hygiene-therapy student Holly Foley was also shortlisted for the outstanding learner of the year award. Holly was recognised for caring passionately about her patients and the quality of healthcare she offered.
Sara said: “Holly seizes the learning potential at every opportunity. In her first year she successfully applied to write a blog in a professional journal in which she sensitively explored the skills, care, compassion and challenges of being a healthcare student.
“She has also been involved with connecting healthcare students from different programmes and institutions, which has been recognised by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. Holly is a wonderful role model and ambassador to other students.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith said: “It was an absolute honour to see our Dental Academy recognised in this way. It’s a great endorsement of the impactful work they do, which is fantastic for the School and for the University. I am very proud of this success.”