06 June 2017

The UK's leading oral health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, has said an emotional goodbye to their long serving Director of Operations Sharon Broom, who is leaving the charity after 17 years' loyal service. 

Sharon leaves the role to become Director of Operations of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT), with Kerry Geldart stepping into the post of Director of Operations at the Oral Health Foundation.

In her time with the Oral Health Foundation, Sharon has been integral to developing their product accreditation scheme which sets out to improve consumer confidence in oral health products by evaluating them to ensure manufacturers' product claims are clinically proven. 

The accreditation programme which currently covers more than 150 approved products gives people the added level of assurance they need, and deserve.

Sharon has also been incredibly influential in cementing the charity's Dental Helpline as a key information source for the public for oral health information and advice, taking more than 300,000 calls during her tenure. 

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said of Sharon's departure: "While we are very sad to see Sharon go we are incredibly thankful for her years of loyal service, hard work and professionalism which has helped to grow our charity to become one of the leading bodies in UK oral health.

"She leaves us at a time where the charity is positioned incredibly strongly with increasing international influence and activity, with the knowledge that the using the structure she has helped to put into place, we will continue to go from strength-to-strength. 

"On behalf of all the trustees and staff of the charity I would like to whole heartedly thank Sharon for her almost two decades of amazing service, for being an integral part of our charity and ultimately for being a good friend.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Kerry to our team. Previously, Kerry worked in a similar role as Deputy CEO of Society for the Environment; we are very excited to have her join our team where we are confident she will use her skills and knowledge to further the charities growth and mission of improving oral health for all."

Speaking about her departure and time at the Oral Health Foundation, Sharon Broom said: "I am incredibly sad to be leaving the Oral Health Foundation, over the last 17 years I have had a wonderful time and have forged some incredible relationships which I will continue to hold dear to me.

"I would like to thank everyone involved with the charity for the opportunities they have given me and I am very confident that they will go forward and continue to develop their important role as part of the UK oral health infrastructure. 

"I am incredibly excited about my new position at the BSDHT and look forward to working with them to develop the organisation at an important time for the profession."