Our Honours and Awards Committee is delighted to announce 10 new awardees for their outstanding achievements and commitment to the dental profession and to the association.
Two dentists receive our new ‘Award for Excellence’, aimed at recognising the contribution of colleagues at any stage of their career; Ciara Gallagher and Gemma Taylor.
Roz McMullan, Chair of our Honours and Awards Committee, said:
“Every day, passionate individuals across the UK and beyond pour their energy into advancing our profession - whether in local communities, on national platforms, or on the global stage. We’re incredibly proud of them all. But what truly moves us is when peers speak up to say, ‘This person went the extra mile’. That’s why we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on those exceptional contributors who inspire others and elevate dentistry through their dedication.”
The full list of our Honours and Awards recipients for 2025 are:
Fellowship Medal
- David Barber – GDP and community dentist (Wales)
- Dr Laura Cross – hospital dentist (Scotland)
- Dai Gingell – GDP (Wales).
Life Membership
- Dr Austin Banner – consultant orthodontist (England)
- Chris Daley - GDP (England)
- Tony Jacobs - GDP (England)
- Lalit Khiroya - GDP (England).
John Tomes Medal
- Professor StJohn Crean - pro-vice chancellor, research and enterprise, University of Central Lancashire (England).
Award for Excellence
- Ciara Gallagher – GDP (Northern Ireland) for representation on behalf of the profession.
- Gemma Taylor – GDP (Northern Ireland) for service to the Northern Ireland Branch.
Nominate a colleague
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for dentistry? Help us celebrate their achievements by submitting a nomination for the next round of our Honours and Awards.
The deadline is 29 May 2026, and 30 April for our Young Dentists Award.
You can nominate a colleague through your branch or local group, but we also invite members to be creative in their nominations – we want to hear about great work and innovations that are happening at local, national or international levels.
The nomination form does take some time and requires detailed knowledge of the nominee’s education and work history. You will need to provide a supporting statement to help the Honours and Awards committee make their decision. We recommend considering your nomination early and speaking to colleagues, and your local representatives.
Your nomination could shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening across our profession - locally, nationally, and internationally. Start early, gather the details, and make sure their contribution gets the recognition it deserves.