Fiona is the Academic Lead and Moderator at Bangor University (Dental Nursing) and part of the All Wales Faculty for DCPs. She holds two posts with the General Dental Council, in addition to this she is an External Examiner at 2 universities. She founded the Society of British Dental Nurses in 2015, having formerly been the President of BADN, she is also the co-founder of the International Federation of Dental Assistants and Nurses and the founder of Dental Professional Alliance. Fiona has to date had an extensive career in dentistry spanning 41yrs and worked across many different fields.
Fiona’s later career has focused on dental education, specifically on education governance and quality assurance. She has a strong interest in patient safety sciences (Human Factors), receiving a certificate at master’s level in 2022 and in public health 2018. Fiona was privileged to be part of the SDCEP working group during the pandemic and to represent the Dental Dean of RCS Edinburgh on the NHS One Voice panel. Fiona along with DPA colleagues has been the driving force behind the Mental Health Wellness Framework across all 4 nations. She continues her mental health work as part of MINDSET UK.
Fiona was appointed (Hon) Vice President BSDHT in 2019 and is a former examiner for the NEBDN and a Trustee for Dentaid, as well as an educational advisor for Mouth Cancer Foundation. She received a Queen’s honour 2019 for her contribution to dentistry. Fiona’s first book was formally launched on 10th July 2023 – ‘How to develop your career in dental nursing’, co-authored with Dr Janine Brooks. She continues to support dental nursing and dental nurses as a trained, qualified and practicing mentor, as well as members of the broader team and as part of the Development Advisors work.
Fiona has written a number of published articles and papers and speaks both nationally and internationally and has supported the development of an oral health program in a developing country, which translated the DBOH and engaged local community workers in remote areas.