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  2. About us
  3. Our structure
  4. Representative committees
  5. General Dental Practice
  6. Welsh General Dental Practice Committee

The WGDPC is recognised by government as having the status and authority to negotiate on behalf of all Health Service (HS) GDPs on matters of terms and conditions of service, contracts, and remuneration in the General Dental Services (GDS).

Our priorities

  • Representing the interests, and acting on behalf of all GDPs in Wales
  • Negotiating with government on terms and conditions and remuneration for GDPs
  • Ensuring that the views of GDPs are represented to Welsh Government and the Senedd.

Our team

Chair of Welsh General Dental Practice Committee

Russell Gidney

Russell qualified from Cardiff in 2002 and has worked in Southeast Wales ever since. He completed VT then worked as an associate for five years in Caldicot before moving to a new practice in Chepstow in 2007, initially as an associate and as owner since 2009. Beaufort Park Dental Surgery in Chepstow is a mixed practice and has grown from four to six surgeries and been a DFT practice since 2015. The practice is roughly 50:50 split NHS/private and includes some special interest dentistry alongside routine GDP. Russell also works as a clinical supervisor in Cardiff Dental School one day a week. Russell joined Gwent LDC in 2015 and quickly became treasurer. He has since joined the LDC Conference Agenda Committee and sits on Welsh GDPC, of which he has been Chair since April 2021.

Vice Chair of Welsh General Dental Practice Committee

Dan Cook

Dan was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and spent his childhood on Tyneside, Teesside and in Cardiff before returning to Newcastle where he qualified as a dentist in 2003. After completing VT in the Yorkshire Dales, he worked as an associate GDP on Tyneside whilst completing his MJDF. He returned to Wales for a second time in 2009 after his takeover of a practice in Newport alongside his wife, Hannah, with the pair tasking themselves with improving its reputation and expanding services to more patients. Dan became an ES in DFT in 2011 and has since completed a postgraduate diploma in medical education. His interest in dental politics evolved with his involvement with Gwent LDC, of which he is vice-chairman.


Get involved and get in touch

WGDPC is always keen to ensure that the views of GDPs are represented when it comes to health policy being developed by government. WGDPC are here to represent you and encourage you to get involved in BDA activity.