Robbie completed his speciality training in Cardiff in 1996 and is a specialist orthodontist in Edinburgh. As a founding partner in a busy, multi-surgery specialist practice, he understands the challenges in providing both NHS and private treatment in an ever-changing environment. He has been the chair and co-chair of the Scottish Orthodontic Specialist Group and president of the Royal Odonto-Chirurgical Society of Scotland. He has served on the Orthodontic Specialist Group (OSG) and British Orthodontic Conference (BOC) committees of BOS. He is an examiner in the Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth) at the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh).
Robbie said, “It is daunting, but I am deeply honoured to be taking on this responsibility. I am humbled to follow such eminent colleagues who have served as executives within the BOS. I am under no illusions about the myriad of challenges that face our speciality and society but I am heartened to know that I will be joining a wide team of dedicated colleagues who give so freely of their time and expertise. I am sure that, together, we can ensure that the BOS continues to provide strong, relevant advocacy for all sectors of the specialty and our patients in the years ahead.”
Roz is a retired consultant orthodontist in the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland (NI). During her career, she was the president of the British Dental Association (BDA) and the Northern Ireland Branch, former chair of the NI Council for the BDA, and until recently, worked with the association in matters relating to wellness and mental health. She is a life member of the European Orthodontic Society and the NI Orthodontic Study Group.
During her career, Roz was involved in trust governance, quality improvement, audit and appraisal. She was a clinical lead for specialist surgery for seven years. Roz was secretary to the audit committee of the BOS and chaired the Northern Ireland Hospital Training Committee for the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) for nine years.
Roz commented, “I am honoured, humbled and delighted to be installed as patron of the BOS for 2025. Every voice in this society, no matter how quiet or lonely, is valued and valuable. As patron, I am not an elected representative nor a voting member of the board with all the governance responsibility that carries, but I do hope to be a connection between the quiet voices and the leaders within the BOS while also representing the society with the respect and gravitas it deserves.
“You can trust me to laud you, and the brilliant work you do every day that is so valued by your patients. I look forward to working closely with the president, Robbie Lawson.”