Three dental professionals have been rewarded for their work and volunteering efforts in the Queen’s Jubilee honours list.
Dr Maxwell Christopher Graham Manley received an MBE for services to dentistry, dental nurse Maria Sanchez was awarded a BEM in recognition of her services to dental care, and dental therapist Kyle Anderson received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of his volunteer work with the RNLI.
Dr Maxwell Christopher Graham Manley is head of the dental department at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, London, a national medical charity providing assessment, rehabilitation and care for adults with complex disabilities caused by brain injury or disease.
Posting on the hospital’s Facebook page, staff wrote: ‘Congratulations to Graham Manley, who has been awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s honours. Graham’s work has changed the way dental care is provided to people with disabilities. He has inspired many working in special care dentistry through his mentorship.
‘We are proud to have Graham at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, leading our dental team.’
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Feel humbled
Maria Sanchez is a senior dental nurse with Whittington Health NHS Trust in north London and liaises between its health community and hospital dentistry services.
She was redeployed twice during the pandemic, working at the hospital’s ITU where she supported staff nurses and comforted patients unable to receive visitors. She also later supported its maternity admin team.
‘I am still in shock and feel humbled to receive this honour,’ she said.
‘I never thought that I would deserve something like this. I am proud that the work of our dental services is recognised – they are all unsung heroes. I’m excited to receive the honour, but a little worried about finding a hat that fits.’
Recognition
Dental therapist Kyle Anderson currently works within a Mydentist practice in southwest Scotland. He has volunteered with lifeboat charity, RNLI, for more than five years. He was also among six members of the Stranraer RNLI lifeboat crew to be recognised for his volunteer work with a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
As part of the celebrations, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal was handed out to members of the armed forces as well as the emergency services who had completed five or more years’ service.
Kyle said: ‘I’ve always lived by the sea, and grew up with watching the boats going in and out. So I joined the RNLI as a volunteer in 2016 with my local station in Stranraer, south west Scotland.
‘Our job is simple – “saving lives at sea” in all weathers. On my time in the station, I am a full crew member on board the Stranraer D-Class Lifeboat. I’m also the local community safety and education officer, educating people of all ages in staying safe in and around the water. I am getting ready to sit my final exams to become a helm, allowing me to command the lifeboat.’
Kyle added: ‘I personally hope to be “on service” for many years to come.’
The British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) also paid tribute to their Scotland representative in an Instagram post.
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