Leading the pack

Yet another star name has joined the party at the 2008 Dentistry Awards, firmly setting it up as the dental event of the year.

Athlete-turned-television-personality Kriss Akabusi will take the stage on 12 December to compere the event, adding his exuberant personality and brand of infectious laughter to proceedings.

The World Championship gold medallist will be a familiar sight to many guests from his appearances on television’s The Big Breakfast and Record Breakers, and promises to fill the shoes of departing Dentistry Awards presenter Roy Walker with aplomb.

More recently Kriss – who also has an Olympic silver medal to his name – has combined a string of further television appearances with motivational speaking and aid work for Nigeria.

His enthusiasm and attention to ‘focus, innovation and teamwork’ (FIT) when giving motivational speeches fit perfectly with the ethos of The Dentistry Awards. Bringing together more than 600
people from all over the country, the awards celebrate passion, commitment and success throughout the dental profession.

The competition splits the UK into nine regions, with four award categories to choose from. The winners from each region then compete for the coveted UK overall prize in each category – but all the winners will only be announced on the night, so miss the ceremony and miss out!

With just over a month to go until the deadline to enter, why not remind yourself of the different categories just waiting for you to enter. Which one catches your eye?

Best Practice
We are looking for those special practices that can prove they are the best in their region. From small practices to large specialist surgeries, each entry will be judged on its individual merits. Let us know how your practice has improved, how the team works together, what charity or community work your practice is involved with and what you are most proud of. Clinical excellence should be backed up with patient testimonials. Let us help you put your practice’s name on the map!

Best Team
This category has been created to find the best dental team in your region. Tell us how your team go that extra mile for the patients and practice. Show us testimonials from satisfied patients and proof of
how exceptional every single person in your team really is. Let us know how hard they work to help create your great team and exactly what it is that makes them so special. Let us help you tell everyone in your region all about it.

Best Young Dentist
This award is aimed at dentists under 35 years old (on 12 December 2008) who have achieved a high standard of practice management seemingly beyond their experience or who have made notable strides at this early stage of their career.

We are looking for special young dentists who deserve recognition – this could be someone who may have continued to train since graduating and who achieved phenomenal results as a VDP, someone involved in community projects or who have championed a scheme local to their practice.

It could be someone whose achievements are down to hard work and determination, or who has had to overcome extreme or adverse circumstances in order to create a successful practice.

The Outstanding Achievement Award
Unlike the Oscars or National TV Awards, our outstanding achievement award is not for longevity,
but for performance during the calendar year – 2008. Judges are particularly looking for nominations for individuals who may have:
• Performed to an extraordinary level during the year
• Gone the extra mile, well above and beyond the call of duty
• Inspired or influenced
others through charitable work
• Endured and survived
hardship during the year
• Innovation: someone who has pushed the boundaries, bringing business or technological advancement to UK dentistry.
It is not necessary to have worked in UK dentistry for a lifetime to be nominated for this award.

Plus! The winner of the 2008 Dentistry.co.uk Website Awards will also be announced at the ceremony.

Looking ahead
The deadline for entries is 17 September, and as the cut off date approaches the competition is really heating up.
The ceremony itself is a superb evening for all who attend, with fine food, live music and dancing until the early hours providing a suitably glamorous backdrop for the winners receiving their awards. The venue – Leicester’s glamorous Athena – was originally a beautiful art-deco cinema that has been converted into a state-of-the-art conference and banqueting venue in the heart of the country, allowing practices from every corner of the UK to attend. Entering the venue, guests will enjoy a champagne reception before sitting down to the gala three-course dinner that precedes the awards eremony itself.