Bristol Dental School and Hospital swept the boards at the 2010 Dental Defence Union (DDU) Educational Awards, with Professor Stephen Lisney winning the Dental Teacher of the Year award and Nikki Rogers named as Dental Care Professional Teacher of the Year.
This is the first time that a UK dental school has won both prestigious DDU prizes in one year and the third year in a row that the School has excelled at the awards. Last year Susan Hooper was named Dental Teacher of the Year, and in 2008 Alison Grant was selected as Dental Care Professional Teacher of the Year.
Candidates are nominated by dental students and staff at all 18 UK dental schools and three finalists in each category are selected by the judging panel. In order to make the grade, finalists have to make a 15-minute presentation to the panel that demonstrates that they are committed, enthusiastic, challenging and innovative; that they go the extra mile in challenging their students; and that they inspire and motivate their students through their teaching.
Speaking about the achievement, Professor Jonathan Sandy, Head of the Dental School and Hospital, said:
We are delighted that the Dental School has won a DDU award for three years in a row and that we were the first School in the country to win both awards this year. This exemplifies the commitment of our staff to providing the best possible education for both dental students and dental-care professionals. We are committed to producing dentists equipped for life-long learning and this is confirmed by the fact that, proportionately, more of our undergraduates proceed to formal postgraduate training and education than at any other UK dental school.
Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, Head of the DDU added:
‘The DDU Educational Awards are a great way of demonstrating the respect and regard students have for their dental teachers and this year we received more nominations than ever before.’
Both of this year’s winners received a cheque for £250 and an additional cheque in the name of the School for £1,000, which will be used towards educational material.
The Dental School was rated as the top dental school in England in the 2009 and 2010 National Student Survey, and last year completed a £15m expansion of its facilities to accommodate an additional 29 new dental students a year. To take a virtual tour of the new facilities, please click here.