Dental awards: 10 top tips for your entry

Alif Moosajee shares his advice for putting together an entry for a dental awards ceremony in 10 easy tips.

1. Don’t be shy

The standard is high when we judge awards but I bet if you think about all that you’ve achieved, you may be surprised by how compelling your entry might be.

2. Study and then follow the entry criteria

Study carefully and make sure that you have some evidence to show how you have fulfilled the criteria.

3. Make your entry look appealing

Although you will be judged on the content of the entry, it is very nice to judge an aesthetically pleasing entry and effort in this area is definitely looked upon favourably and rewarded.

4. Don’t fragment the entry

If you put yourself in the judges’ shoes, we often have 60 entries to judge and if we are having to open multiple documents for one entry, it can make that entry incoherent and difficult to assess.

I would highly recommend a single document with all of your narrative and your evidence together.

5. Make the entry succinct

As mentioned, there are many entries to look through so if you are able to wow in an efficient and pithy manner, then it will really impress the judge.

6. Showcase your work with good photography

A picture speaks a 1,000 words and so you want your photos to impress. It also helps if your treatment is impressive too!

7. Try to reflect on something you’ve done that’s outstanding

Remember there are so many good entries showing good patient care and technically excellent treatment.

You need to reflect on the thing that makes you different from everybody else, and ensure you demonstrate that well in the entry.

8. Make sure you give yourself enough time

Understanding and appreciating that it takes time to create a really nice entry is so important. Be aware of the deadline (which is published well in advance) and ensure that there is time enough to do your entry justice.

9. Use your entry as a tool for reflection and improvement.

The reality is that not everybody can win and so they will always be more people disappointed than triumphant.

As a result get the most benefit from it because if you improve the standard of the care you provide then not only do you win but most importantly, your patient does and that is the best thing about awards

10. Go for it

Recently, the winner of the Philips Rising Star Award (a category of the 2025 Dentistry Awards) benefited from a mentorship day with me in addition to the award. The Philips award was set up to recognise the bright new talents transforming dental care and highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to nurture the future of the profession.

So just enter!  What’s the worst that can happen? The additional benefits could have a lasting effect on your career.

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