Everyone deserves
a reason to smile
What is the mydentist Foundation?
Launched in 2026, the mydentist Foundation was created to make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.
Backed by £1 million of initial investment, the Foundation will support charitable organisations and causes for the long-term, so that it can drive down oral health inequalities, improve access to care and remove barriers to working within dentistry for underrepresented communities.
Supporting the communities we serve
We will support projects and partnerships that improve access to dental care for people who may otherwise struggle to receive the help they need.
This includes people experiencing homelessness, poverty, abuse or addiction, alongside vulnerable and underserved groups facing health inequalities.
Opening up access to careers in dentistry
We will help more people from underrepresented backgrounds see dentistry as a realistic and achievable career.
This will include financial support, mentoring, development opportunities and work to create new pathways into and through the profession.
Introducing the mydentist Foundation Ambassador Board
To support mydentist in making these initiatives as impactful as possible will be a new Ambassador Board, which has seen the appointment of four industry-leading individuals from within the dental sector
Tom Riall
Chair of the mydentist Foundation Board
Tom is Executive Chairman of mydentist and Chair of the mydentist Foundation Board. He joined mydentist as Chief Executive Officer in 2017 and became Executive Chairman in April 2023. Before joining the business, Tom held senior leadership roles across the healthcare and services sectors, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of Priory Group and leading divisions within Serco Group.
Tom holds an MBA from City University Business School and has completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
As Chair of the Foundation Board, Tom will bring extensive leadership and organisational experience to its work. He will support the Board in setting the Foundation’s direction and ensuring its initiatives remain focused on improving access to care, supporting underserved communities and helping more people enter the dental profession.
Professor Christopher Tredwin MBE
Dean and Institute Director, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
Professor Christopher Tredwin MBE is Dean and Institute Director of the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London. He is also a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry and continues to work as a practising clinician.
Chris previously served as Head of the University of Plymouth Dental School, where he oversaw the development of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and helped significantly improve its national performance and student satisfaction.
As Chair of the Dental Schools Council between 2020 and 2023, he supported dental schools through the Covid-19 pandemic, helping secure investment and develop measures that allowed students to return to clinical education safely.
At Queen Mary University of London, his work has included establishing the North East London Dental Outreach Collaborative, which combines education with the delivery of dental care to communities that need it most.
Fiona Ellwood BEM
Associate Professor and Director of Dental Education
Fiona Ellwood BEM is an Associate Professor and Director of Dental Education with more than 40 years of experience across dentistry, education and professional leadership.
A registered dental nurse, Fiona is one of the founders of the Society of British Dental Nurses and a co-founder of the International Federation of Dental Assistants and Nurses. She has held several senior sector roles and has contributed to the development of professional qualifications, regulatory inspections and overseas registration panels.
Her academic work focuses on quality, equity and parity in dental education, with particular interests in leadership, mentoring, second-chance learners and hierarchical relationships within dentistry.
Fiona has also contributed to research and professional initiatives concerning public health, rural communities, mental wellbeing and human factors. In 2019, she received a British Empire Medal in recognition of her contribution to dentistry.
Dr Olurotimi Adesanya MBE
Chair of the African and Caribbean Dental Association UK
Dr Olurotimi Adesanya MBE is a practising dental surgeon and Chief Executive Officer of Watling Street Dental Care in Gillingham, Kent. He has a special interest in implantology, oral surgery and orthodontics and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the College of General Dentistry.
Timi is Chair of the African and Caribbean Dental Association UK, a registered charity working to improve oral health, inspire future healthcare professionals and tackle inequalities through education, outreach and advocacy.
Alongside his clinical and community work, he has a strong interest in leadership, innovation and the use of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare systems and patient care.
Timi was awarded an MBE in the 2024 King’s New Year Honours in recognition of his contribution to oral health and community service.
Dr Ben Atkins
Former President of the Oral Health Foundation
Dr Ben Atkins is a general dental practitioner with extensive experience in clinical care, public health and the delivery of NHS dental services.
Ben previously owned Revive Dental Care, which operated a combination of traditional practices, NHS contracts and out-of-hours services supporting communities across the North West. His clinical background includes teaching at Manchester Dental Hospital and working as a dentist with a special interest in restorative dentistry.
Throughout his career, Ben has been closely involved in improving access to care for hard-to-reach groups and supporting the development of dental policy and public health guidance.
His previous roles include Press and Parliamentary Representative for the British Dental Association, adviser on dental complaints to the Healthcare Commission and President of the Oral Health Foundation. He has also contributed to national advisory groups, local dental committees and NHS England panels.