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Honouring the Legacy of Dr John Ulahannan (1972-2024)

Dr John Ulahannan BDS MA PgCert
(1972-2024)
Dedicated Dentist, Innovator, and Advocate

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr John Ulahannan, a compassionate dentist, creative innovator, and cherished Trustee of the BDA Benevolent Fund. John passed away suddenly on 22 November 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and resilience

John graduated from the University of Manchester in 1997 with a Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery and went on to dedicate over 25 years to clinical practice in general, community, and hospital dentistry.

He held a deep commitment to serving underserved populations, working extensively with children, the elderly, and marginalized groups. His contributions to public health extended to his role in clinical epidemiological fieldwork for the Adult Oral Health Survey.

Beyond his dental career, John’s intellectual curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit knew no bounds. He earned a Master’s degree in History of Art from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London, and successfully developed “Quart,” an innovative productivity app for the iPhone.

He also curated art exhibitions and took a keen interest in cultural heritage, reflecting his creative nature and multidimensional talents.

John’s personal connection to the BDA Benevolent Fund added a deeply empathetic dimension to his work as a Trustee.

Having once been a recipient of our support, he was passionately committed to giving back, using his lived experience to guide and inspire others. His co-authored series on the history of the Charity, published in the British Dental Journal, stands as a testament to his dedication and scholarly abilities.

A polyglot fluent in English, French, and Malayalam, John brought a global perspective to his work and life. He was also deeply connected to his heritage, having recently completed the construction of his home in Kerala, India.

John will be remembered for his compassion, intellect, and unwavering dedication to helping others.
May his legacy continue to inspire and his soul rest in peace.

The funeral took place in India on 28 November 2024. The staff and Trustees hope to organise an event for John to celebrate his life and memory in 2025. If you have any thoughts or stories you’d like to share, please contact us.

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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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