DENTAL OFFICER
GP CAPT MARK H RICHARDSON CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER
QHDS , MA , MSc , BDS , FFGDP ( UK ), FDS RCPS ( Glasg ), FFDT ( Ed ), MGDS RCS ( Eng ), PG Dip , FCMI , Ch Mgr , RAF
I have enjoyed a highly successful and unblemished career over the last 30 years and becoming the head of the RAF Dental Branch had been a long-held ambition and is the high point and proudest moment of my career . I have held several junior and senior dental officer appointments in all parts of the United Kingdom , and served in the Netherlands , Germany and Cyprus . I completed operational tours in N . Ireland and Afghanistan and was seconded to Brunei as part of loan service . Various postgraduate degrees , including MGDS , FFGDP ( UK ) and three masters level degrees , gives me the necessary clinical and academic credibility , not just within the Dental Branch , but across all three Services . As well as remaining clinically active , I am involved with the advancement of dentistry through many UK external agencies . I am a Dental Specialist Advisor for CQC and , as a FGDP ( UK ) Board Member , I have been actively involved in the transition of the Faculty to an independent college , chair the examinations committee and am a facilitator / mentor for the new fellowship award . I am also an examiner for the Masters in Advanced General Dental Surgery and member of the Faculty of Dental Trainers of the RCS ( Edinburgh ). In my current role as CDO ( RAF ), I am fully involved with the career management of many Dental Branch personnel , head up the Branch Executive and am responsible for the management of the Branches financial trusts . I regular conduct clinical , managerial and health care governance audits of all clinicians and dental centres , provide professional guidance and advice to military and civilian staff and liaise closely with the Chain of Command on dental fitness of personnel . Additionally , I have ensured that business continuity is maintained when challenged by manning gaps and infrastructure failure , liaising with unit commanders to establish strong local contacts and support collaborative working processes .
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