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Request Help

When life delivers the unexpected and things get tough, we’re here to assist you.

Application Form

The application form is online which can be started and saved later. If you feel that you may have difficulties completing the form digitally or if you have any questions, please give us a call on 0207 486 4994 and we can assist.

Get Started

All requests are considered in confidence.
You do not need to be a member of the British Dental Association (BDA) to access our help.

You can access our support if you:
Are, or were, a dentist registered with the General Dental Council
Are a student at UK dental school
Are the dependent of a dentist
And you:
Live in the UK
Are in personal financial hardship
Have little or no savings
Are unable to meet your essential daily expenditure
Please watch the following video, that has all the information you need to be able to apply online for financial support

How We Help

Everyone’s circumstances are different and so we tailor our support to tackle your most pressing need first. Below are examples of the type of financial support we offer.
Maintenance grant funding for those in hardship at university
Housing (rent/ mortgage payments up to 3 months)
Water/ gas/ electricity/ telephone/ council tax bills
Money for food and general household and personal expenditure
Annual Registration/ Retention Fee (ARF) to allow people to join or stay on the register
Relocation expenses (deposit/ rent in advance/ removal fees)
Indemnity payments for those returning to work (up to 3 months)
Verified costs towards retraining or development costs to assist with returning to dentistry
Travel costs (to university/ GDC meetings or hearings/ to work)
Equipment (laptops/ white goods/ essential home adaptations or repairs)
Here are some examples where we are unable to offer financial support:
Assistance to other dental registrants or members of the dental team
Assistance to those outside the UK
Those living in the UK who wish to become registered by equivalent
Business-related costs
Legal fees or bills (except for applications towards debt costs such as bankruptcy)
Tuition fees/ postgraduate courses/ private school fees
Tax bills/ large debts

Support in other ways

You can also get support with your wellbeing including counselling, legal and debt advice via a 24/7 helpline, smartphone app or online wellbeing content.
Wellbeing Support

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 – Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire
  • 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