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BDA Benevolent fund

We proactively support the financial and emotional needs of dental students, dentists and their dependants.

HOW WE HELP

Financial Support

Apply for financial assistance
towards your essential living costs.

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Debt Advice

Use your postcode to find out where your local advice service is.

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Budget Planner

Take 5 minutes to help better
understand your finances.

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Mental Health Support

Get access to free counselling via our Wellbeing Partner- Health Assured. 

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Legal Information

Get information
on legal matters via our Wellbeing Partner- Health Assured. 

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Bereavement Support

Speak to a qualified and
experienced counsellor via our Wellbeing Partner- Health Assured. 

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HOW TO Access FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Watch the video prior to applying for financial assistance.

News

Advisory Council 2026

We are inviting you to attend the BDA Benevolent Fund’s Advisory Council Meeting on Saturday, 13 June 2026, starting at 10
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Become a BDA Benevolent Fund Ambassador?

A national call out for charity ambassadors to spread the word about the charity for all dentists.
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Headshot image of Henrietta Davies-Dunn, the new Grants Caseworker of BDA Beneveolent Fund.

A big welcome to Henrietta!

We are delighted to welcome Henrietta as our new Grants Caseworker, joining the team at a time when demand for support
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Artist Spotlight: A Collective of Creative Voices

Introducing more exhibitors, at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, taking place at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Artist Spotlight: The Ulahannan Family

Introducing The Ulahannan family, who are presenting works by the late John Ulahannan, at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, inspired by John himself, before his untimely passing.
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Artist Spotlight: Catherine Holmes

Introducing Catherine Holmes, who is exhibiting at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Artist Spotlight: Nitam Narkhede

Introducing Nitam Narkhede, who is exhibiting at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Artist Spotlight: Aneeka Ashraf

Introducing Aneeka Ashraf, who is exhibiting at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Artist Spotlight: Karen Paterson

Introducing Karen Paterson, Past President of the CDF, who is exhibiting at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Artist Spotlight: Julie-Anne Richmond

Introducing Julie-Anne Richmond, an internationally renowned artist, exhibiting at a unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
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Dr Austin Banner

Vice-Chairman

  • Trustee since 2010
  • Dental speciality – Retired consultant Orthodontist
  • County – Southern Counties
  • I am a Past President of the BDA Southern Counties Branch with extensive experience in committee, management, teaching, and training.

Dr Peter Crooks

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2020
  • Dental Speciality – General Dental Practitioner
  • County – Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • I am the representative of the Principal Executive Committee of the BDA on the BDA Benevolent Fund Board. I hope to continue and foster the close working relationship between the Charity and the BDA, of whose members are also members of the charity. I’m also a Director and Secretary of a charitable company – CHEERS Youth Centre

Dr Molly Deykin

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2020
  • Dental speciality – General Dental Practitioner
  • County – London
  • I have been involved in student support groups and I was elected British Dental Student Association President. I worked with the Sands Cox Charity when I was the Dental School Society Vice-President. After graduating I was the Foundation Dentist Representative on the BDA Young Dentists Committee.

Dr Allan Franklin

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2003
  • Dental speciality – General Dental Practitioner for 35 years
  • County – Oldham/ Rochdale
  • I am the Chairman of BDA Oldham & Rochdale Section (and previous Secretary). Chairman for the E.Lancs & E Cheshire Branch of BDA in charge of section regeneration. Previous Chairman of British Society for Dental Hypnosis (as it was then) and involved in Local Dental Committees.

Dr Alex Gormley

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2020
  • Dental Speciality – Academic Clinical Fellow at the University of Bristol
  • County – Bristol
  • I have worked in primary dental care and a maxillofacial unit since graduation. I am continuing my dental core training alongside academic training at the University of Bristol. I also serve as the Early Career Representative as an invited board member at the FDS at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Dr Chris Hayward

Treasurer

  • Trustee since 2013
  • Dental speciality – Associate Specialist in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Lead Clinician Dental Emergency Department Newcastle Dental Hospital, Honorary  Clinical Lecturer Newcastle Dental School
  • County – Newcastle/ Northern Counties
  • I have been active in the BDA at Section, Branch, and National Levels. I was a member of the Rep Board/Body; a former member of the BDA PEC; a Director of International Affairs; and the previous BDA Board.

Dr Philip Henderson

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2006
  • Dental Speciality-Principal Practice Owner and in General Dental Service for 37 years.
  • County – Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • I have been a Church Elder for 34 years with pastoral care responsibility Local Dental Adviser for Dental Protection including attending GDC Hearings and Probity work in NHS Current member “Probing Dental Stress” group in N.I.
  • Past: LDC Chair, N.I.DPC Chair, Northern Ireland Branch BDA President, Director of the BDA’s PEC for two terms

Dr Ros Keeton

Chairman

  • Trustee since 2008
  • Dental Specialty – Leadership and management of Dental Services
  • County – Shropshire
  • I am an experienced NHS Chief Executive and health care leader who combines a dental background with substantial leadership experience. I am also a Chairman of a specialist hospice and EOL charity Compton Care. I am a passionate and committed advocate for dentists in distress.

Dr Stuart Robson

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2006
  • Dental speciality – A General Dental Practitioner
  • County– North Yorkshire
  • Former President of BDA 1999- 2000, previous Vice-Chairman of BDA Council and also Dental Services Committee. On behalf of North Yorkshire LDC, was organiser and lead of the North Yorkshire PASS (Practitioner Advice and Support Scheme) preventing some dentist with problems having dire financial and professional difficulties.

Dr Bill Creedon

Trustee

  • Trustee since 2014
  • Dental speciality – GDP
  • County – Hampshire

  • I have been in general practice for over 20 years as a practice owner in Southampton. The last four years I have been also working at Kings College, London. I am Chair of the BDA’s Wessex branch and Vice Chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight LDC.

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