Foundation announces new president

16 December 2013
Volume 29 · Issue 10

Tony Newton has been elected as the new president of the British Dental Health Foundation.

Tony replaces outgoing president John Siebert having been voted in at the latest Trustee Board Meeting.

Now into his third term as a Foundation trustee, Tony has contributed immensely to its current success and was instrumental in designing and introducing the Foundation's highly successful product accreditation scheme.

Having moved out of clinical dentistry many years ago in favour of a career working with business schools, corporates and not-for-profit organisations, Tony now puts his combined dental, journalistic, corporate communications and management expertise at Foundation's service to build on its already pre-eminent position as a provider of high quality impartial oral health advice. Tony is also part of the RAF media team with 7644 (media ops) Squadron.

Tony said: “Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge the great work John has done in leading the board over the past two years.

“We have an agreed five year strategy that we revisited and refreshed during 2013, so the board has a clear, agreed direction for increasing the reach and effect of our oral health advice.

“My goal as incoming president and chair is to strengthen our position and visibility as the pre-eminent provider of impartial oral health advice in the UK and abroad to an increasingly multicultural community. The translation of our ‘Tell Me About’ leaflets on the website into seven different languages is a significant change that will bring the Foundation to an even wider audience.”

Outgoing president John Siebert said: “I have really enjoyed my tenure as President of the Foundation. It has been a busy period and I am delighted that we have been able to continue improving our charitable output over the last two years.

“Our two major campaigns – National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month – have also grown during my term. Both campaigns are invaluable in improving the nation’s oral health. Our continued input into the All Party Parliamentary Group remains as important as ever in ensuring Parliament is aware of the need for good oral healthcare for general wellbeing.

“The Foundation’s board is now made up of trustees from a range of disciplines and I know that Tony as incoming President will bring his wide experience and continue to move the Foundation forward. I wish him and the charity all the very best for the future.”