Weighing up the prospects of the 2026 GDS contract (Wales)

Russell has been Chair of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee since 2021, having joined in 2018, he was the lead member of the GDS contract negotiation team. Russell enjoys the challenges that the committee presents, representing the views of practices and practitioners to Government and organisations in Wales.

Russell was an Educational Supervisor for Foundation Dentistry for 10 years and worked in Cardiff University supervising on the undergraduate clinics. He has been active on the Gwent Local Dental Committee since 2015 and served as treasurer until 2021. He sat on the Agenda Committee for the national conference. Russell has owned his current practice since 2009 which he manages with his wife.

Dan is Vice Chair of Welsh General Dental Practice Committee for a second triennium and was a member of the GDS contract negotiation team. He was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he qualified as a dentist in 2003. After completing Vocational Training in the Yorkshire Dales, he worked as an associate GDP on Tyneside whilst completing his Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties.

Dan returned to Wales for a second time in 2009 after his takeover of a practice in Newport. Alongside his wife, Hannah, he was tasked with improving its reputation and expanding services to more patients. He became an Educational Supervisor in Dental Foundation Training in 2011 and has since completed a postgraduate diploma in medical education. Dan’s interest in dental politics evolved with his involvement with Gwent Local Dental Committee.

Katie is vice-chair of Welsh General Dental Practice Committee and has been involved with the BDA since 2022. She has been assisting with NHS contract reform negotiations and representing Welsh dentistry in UK meetings. Katie graduated from Cardiff Dental School in 2020 and works as an associate in general practice in Swansea.

She sits on Morgannwg Local Dental Committee and has a seat on the BDA Young Dentist Committee. Katie is vocal about improving pay and working conditions for dentists and the dental team. She has a particular interest in representing the views of new graduates working within general dental practice, in particular associate practitioners.

Holly joined Welsh General Dental Practice Committee in 2022 and was a member of the GDS contract negotiation team. Holly has undertaken a variety of roles, including dental nursing, dental therapy, and was a dental graduate from Leeds University. Throughout her career she has championed the Dental Care Practitioner role by writing articles and was herself a finalist for an NHS Shine award.

Holly became a practice owner in 2012 and expanded her business model into multiple practices. Now a GDP in Pembrokeshire she joined the Hywel Dda and Powys Local Dental Committee in 2017 and is now Chair. She is the dental team ambassador for Wales for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Outside of dentistry Holly has a young family and is a trustee for a children’s charity.

Tim is a co-opted member of Welsh General Dental Practice Committee until the end of 2027 and was a member of the GDS contract negotiation team. He was the member from Wales serving on the BDA Principal Executive Committee (PEC) and Director of the Board from 2013 to 2023. Tim was also member of Wales Committee for Community Dentistry and Welsh Council during his time on the PEC and Chair of PEC’s audit committee from June 2015 until July 2021.

Tim is a long-standing member of Gwent Local Dental Committee, where he served as Chairman for several years. He was Treasurer of the Annual Conference of LDCs for many years. Tim and Fiona Harker established Llantarnam Dental Practice In 1987 to provide dental services to the community, having moved to the current location in 2003.

Lauren has served on Welsh General Dental Practice Committee for several years and was a member of the GDS contract negotiation team. She is the Welsh member of the BDA Principal Executive Committee and the new Chair of the BDA Regulation and Education Committee and the Chair of the BDA Equality and Diversity Committee.

Lauren is an educational supervisor for foundation dentists. She combines her life as a dedicated principal dentist, wife, and mother to three children with her commitment to the dental profession. Lauren is a strong advocate for the mental health and wellbeing of dental professionals, emphasising the importance of supportive working conditions.

Jeremy is currently in his second term with Welsh General Dental Practice Committee and was previously a member of the GDS contract negotiation team. Jeremy graduated from Liverpool Dental School with a BDS (Hons) in 1995. After several positions in the dental hospital and the regional Aintree Maxillo‐Facial Unit, travel beckoned, and he started working at a practice in Auckland, New Zealand.

The lure of a return to home in North Wales was too strong and so Jeremy began a life in general practice where he continues to work as a practice principal, with two partners across the three practices they own. He is currently Chair of North Wales Local Dental Committee, having been a member since he started practising in North Wales.