14 Dec 2017

The UK's leading oral health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, have inaugurated Professor Liz Kay MBE as their new President.

Professor Kay will take on the role for a full two-year term with immediate effect.  She will combine her Presidency with her role as Foundation Dean of Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth.

Professor Kay brings with her to the role vast experience and expertise across the dental profession, where she has striven to further the knowledge and education of thousands of dental students during her 35 years within the profession. 

During this time she has also played a key role in oral health promotion, where she has acted as an oral health expert for The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Professor Kay commented on how proud she was on her appointment: "I have supported the Oral Health Foundation for very long time and I am honoured to be elected President. 

"I believe my appointment comes at a time of transition for oral health. 

"I sense real possibility of an important shift in the profile of oral disease; it's possible we are on the cusp of recognising oral health as a window to the rest of the body, a predictor of future general ill health. 

"This will be a key time for the Oral Health Foundation, where its role in raising awareness of the importance of oral health will really come to the fore, I hope to see this during my time as President. 

"I am really looking forward to working more closely with a fantastic Board of Trustees and I will strive to serve the organisation well."

The outgoing President of the Oral Health Foundation, Janet Goodwin, spoke on Professor Kay's appointment and reflected on her time in the role: "Liz will make a fantastic President. 

"She works tirelessly in the pursuit of better oral health and preventative dentistry.

"We are very proud to have her leading us in an incredibly important time in the charities history, I leave my role as President with great confidence that the charity is in a great position and will continue to go from strength to strength under Liz's presidency.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time as President.

"It has given me many opportunities which will stay with me throughout my life, I am very proud to have held the role."

Janet has taken up the role of Immediate Past President and will remain on the board of Trustees for two further years.

The Oral Health Foundation have also released their Impact Report for the last year, outlining the work and achievements of the organisation. 

The full report, which is available to download from the charities website, which included significant growth of campaigns like National Smile Month and continued strength in providing educational resources. 

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation said: "Everyone here at the Oral Health Foundation is so proud of what we have achieved over the past year. 

"We have seen amazing growth across many key aspects of the charity, such as supporters, online presence and media exposure and I am confident that we have the right team with a mix of knowledge and expertise to build on this even further. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single one of our supporters for your continued backing and hope you this will continue into the upcoming year and beyond."