Specialist undergraduate award

Danny Watts, who is in the third year of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course, won the British Society of Periodontology’s Frank Ashley 2015 prize for his essay entitled ‘Is periodontal disease a risk factor for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw?’

The 23-year-old’s essay looked at whether gum disease increases the risk of patients (who are on certain medications) developing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is an area of exposed non-healing bone that can occur after some dental procedures. Prevention is key for these patients since it can be very difficult to manage, so identifying all the relevant risk factors is important.

Danny, from Upminster in London, said: “I am proud of my achievement, and I am grateful to the staff at UCLan that encouraged the students to expand our knowledge by entering a competition such as this. I am also thankful to Professor Richard Ibbetson who oversaw my research and recommended my application to the board.”