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The Smile Within: Art Show for Dental Professionals

Birmingham, 15th-16th May

A unique art exhibition, The Smile Within, celebrating mental health and wellbeing in dentistry, will be held at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) during Mental Health Awareness Week in May.

This inspiring event brings together two leading dental charities, the BDA Benevolent Fund and Bridge2Aid, in a collaborative effort to raise vital funds for their work supporting dental professionals and communities in need.

Why This Matters

Dentistry is a rewarding profession, but it comes with significant mental health challenges. Stress, isolation, and emotional strain are realities for many dental professionals.

The Smile Within Art Show aims to spark conversations around mindfulness, resilience, and emotional wellbeing through the universal language of art, as well as fundraising for two important charities.

Laura Hannon, CEO of BDA Benevolent Fund, said:

“Mental health is a critical issue in dentistry, and we want to ensure that no dental professional feels alone when facing challenges. This exhibition is a creative way to raise awareness and funds, while celebrating resilience and wellbeing in our profession.”

The exhibition was the brainchild of John Ulahannan, former Trustee of the BDA Benevolent Fund, who sadly passed away unexpectedly. He had a passion for art and mental health advocacy within dentistry, and the exhibition seeks to honour his legacy and inspire conversation and change.

Shaenna Loughnane, CEO of Bridge2Aid, added:

“Art has the power to connect people and spark conversations. By supporting this event, people will be helping us continue our mission to provide sustainable dental care in communities that need it most. Together, we can make a lasting impact, both locally and globally.”

About the Event

Visitors can explore exquisite works of art, including paintings, drawings, prints, and photography. They have been created by talented artists interpreting themes of mindfulness, mental wellbeing, and emotional resilience.

Buying the Artwork

Each artwork will be available for purchase at the event or online:

  • Pledge a donation amount for the piece you love.
  • The highest pledge at the end of the two-day event secures the artwork.
Browse Artwork and Make a Bid

By pledging, you’re not only acquiring a unique piece of art for your dental practice or home, but you’re also helping fund two vital causes:

  • BDA Benevolent Fund, dedicated to supporting UK dental students, dentists, and their dependents facing financial difficulties and offering practical and emotional assistance when it’s needed most.
  • Bridge2Aid, A charity committed to tackling the global dental crisis by training local health workers in emergency dental care, creating sustainable solutions for communities without access to dentistry.

Support the Charities

If you are interested in connecting and supporting the charities through donations or sponsorship, please contact us.

Meet the Artists

Click on the links below to find out more about the featured artists and view their work:

Karen Paterson
Ossie Bruce
Jenna Davies
Martin Curran
Georgios Giazitzis
Aneeka Ashraf
Nitam Narkhede
Palwasha Rafi
Julie-Anne Richmond
Richard Graham
Damien Walmsley

Join us at The Smile Within art exhibition in May and make a difference, one pledge, one piece of art, one smile at a time.

Get Your Tickets

We look forward to seeing you there.

The online auction website is now live.

Bid on your favourite artwork today.

Online bidding ends at 3:45 pm on 16 May.

The winning bidder can collect their artwork on Saturday, 16 May, from the stand after 4pm.

If you (or a trusted friend) are unable to take your piece with you, we’re happy to arrange delivery.

Please note that postage and packaging costs will be added and confirmed after purchase.

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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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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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