I have always been passionate about empowering children and teenagers to overcome their blocks and fears to achieve their dreams. An important part of this lies in supporting their parents and teachers.
My background
I have a medical background having worked as a Hospital Dental Surgeon, specialising in Paediatrics and Oral Surgery, in the UK, Hong Kong and Belgium.
Two important parts of this work have been teaching surgical skills to undergraduate dental students, but also helping child patients deemed ‘too difficult to treat’. These young people were referred to me by general practice dentists to help them overcome their fears, and become comfortable with dental treatment.
For many years I was a Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Leader, and I ran the Red Cross First Aid Training programme for all Scouts, Guides, Leaders and parents across Benelux.
I have three children who attended primary school in Belgium, and secondary school in the UK when our family moved back to Kent in 2011.
In the mid-2010s, I helped set up the Duke of Edinburgh Award at a secondary school. I love being an Expedition Assessor there, working with around 100 Year 10 and 11 students over several weekends, every year.
I am also a primary school governor. I regularly teach lifesaving skills to students from Year 5 through to Year 13, which includes how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator.
It has been my privilege to work with children and young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, including many refugees. In this latter capacity, I mentored a young refugee who eventually successfully attained a place at a UK dental school in 2019.