A note from our President…

As February draws to a close, there is finally a welcome hint of light on the horizon as I leave the house and begin my long commute to work. Those lighter mornings always feel like a small but significant turning point in the year.

This year also marks 25 years at the same practice. When I first joined, I was living in London and my commute was a simple six stops on the Jubilee Line. Life looked very different then. Since starting a family, I have swapped city living for the Kent countryside and my journey each day is now longer.

Over time, however, I have come to appreciate the balance it provides. The pace and energy of London during the working day are invigorating, while the quieter rhythm and open space of life at home offer perspective and calm. The contrast between the two keeps me grounded and, at times, keeps me sane.

I am fortunate to work in a specialist practice limited to Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, alongside a truly fantastic team. Even on the busiest days, we always start the day with a brief meeting to discuss that day’s patients with my hygienists.

For new patients at the start of their periodontal treatment journey, I can share my clinical thinking and outline the goals we are working towards. In turn, the hygienists keep me updated on long-standing patients who are in maintenance and whom I may not see for several years. They alert me to changes in their clinical condition, medical history, or even aspects of their personal lives that allow us to continue caring for them as people, not just cases.

These daily conversations ensure that no one slips through the net and that no patient becomes merely a name in the diary.

Successful periodontal care is never delivered in isolation. It depends on shared understanding, open communication, and mutual trust within the team. Defining the aims of treatment is only part of the process, as agreeing how we will work together to help each patient reach those aims is just as important. In my experience, that shared purpose is fundamental. Consistency and collaboration matter just as much as technical skill.

It is this philosophy of team-based care that shapes not only my daily practice but also the conversations I hope to encourage at our conference later this year.

Looking ahead to the Conference in York, I’m thrilled to hear from Paula and Jo that bookings are coming in quickly. It’s incredibly encouraging to see such strong interest already. Thank you so much for your support. It truly means a great deal and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming you in October.

I have aimed to put together a conference programme that will be of genuine interest to everyone involved in treating periodontal disease. Reflecting my own professional journey, the focus is firmly grounded in the clinical realities of treating periodontal disease and implant dentistry.

More than that, I hope it offers education not only at an individual level but also sparks meaningful discussion across the whole team and supports us in continually improving the way we deliver patient care. I hope the sessions feel practical, relevant, and immediately applicable to everyday practice.

Above all, I hope the conference strengthens the way we work together, for the benefit of the patients who place their trust in us every day.

Best wishes

Paul

Dr Paul Baker

BSP President 2026