Five UK foundation dentists have been recognised for their innovative research to improve patient safety, following a competition organised by Dental Protection in partnership with The MPS Foundation.

The winning projects explored the use of video-informed consent, evaluation of the appropriateness and quality of oral surgery referrals, medical history compliance as a means of improving patient safety, and dental management protocols to enhance patient safety and risk mitigation.

The MPS Foundation – a global not-for-profit research initiative that aims to shape the future of patient safety – launched the UK foundation dentist research competition in 2023. Now in its second year, the judges consider several key factors, including alignment of the competition entries to enhancement of patient safety and risk mitigation or reduction, seeking projects with a clear rationale, methodological rigour and the effectiveness with which its anticipated impact is communicated. 

The national winning project by Peter Whitehouse from the Midlands Foundation Dental Training Scheme looked at whether adding a pre-recorded video to the standard verbal consent process could enhance patient understanding, while the London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex regional winners, Favour Onwudiwe and Mariam Bqain, evaluated the appropriateness and quality of oral surgery referrals made by general dental practitioners to London Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery services.

Southwest regional winner Xii Cin Lim produced a quality improvement project aimed at assessing and improving compliance with medical history documentation at every appointment in a general dental practice in Bristol, while Yorkshire and the Humber regional winner Mohammed Junayed Uddin Hamza addressed the critical gap in dental management protocols during dental procedures for patients with carcinoid syndrome.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “Once again, our research competition for UK foundation dentists has delivered stand-out projects from early career dentists, reinforcing our goal to develop expertise in the important areas of patient safety and risk reduction whilst building research capacity and capability for the future. I congratulate the winner and indeed all the entrants for their interest and enthusiasm.

“The projects have brought insight to the important areas of consent, oral surgery referrals, medical history and management protocols which can be applied in general dental practice today. I was involved in foundation training for over 16 years and I am delighted to be presenting the awards to our worthy winners at the Dental Protection conference on 15 November.

“I am also pleased to announce that the 2025 research competition for UK foundation dentists is now open. We welcome project entries focused on either professionalism, communication, leadership and management, or clinical areas (or a combination) in relation to patient safety and risk mitigation. The national winner will win £1,000 and each regional winner will win £350. Winners will also be invited to submit articles for Riskwise, the Dental Protection publication for its members, based on their projects.”

The competition portal 2025 UK Foundation Dentists Competition - The MPS Foundation Research Competitions Portal is now open, and foundation dentists in the UK can register their interest and view the criteria for the competition categories. The closing date for competition submissions is 31 July 2026.

The Dental Protection conference will take place on Saturday 15 November 2025, and it is open to all dental professionals. Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

The MPS Foundation and Dental Protection are both part of the Medical Protection Society (MPS) – the world’s leading protection organisation – which currently supports more than 300,000 doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals, and has over 130 years of global healthcare experience and expertise.

The winning projects

1. Overall national winner: “A Small-Scale Research Project Assessing Video-Informed Consent for Endodontic Treatment in a Patient Safety Context” by Peter Whitehouse (from the Midlands FD scheme)

   About the research:

   This small-scale research project evaluated whether adding a pre-recorded video to the standard verbal consent process could enhance patient understanding, confidence, and satisfaction before undergoing root canal treatment (RCT). Essential aspects for ensuring patient safety. The integration of video tools can create a clear, accessible, and legally sound consent process, aligning with ethical and regulatory standards while addressing health literacy challenges. The study emphasises video consent's potential to support inclusive care through adaptability to diverse patient needs. The project outcomes corroborate the growing body of literature concerning multimedia tools as effective enhancements to consent processes in dentistry and support their usage.

2. London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex regional winner: “Evaluating the Referral Appropriateness and Quality in Oral Surgery: A Quality Improvement Study in all London IMOS Services” by Favour Onwudiwe and Mariam Bqain

   About the research:

   Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery (IMOS) services in London serve as a critical intermediary between general dental practices and hospital-based oral surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness and quality of oral surgery referrals made by general dental practitioners (GDPs) to London IMOS services, in accordance with the NHS Framework of Oral Surgery Complexity Levels and Methods. This analytic study analysed 300 accepted referrals sent by GDP to all 20 London IMOS services over a 12-month period which were randomly selected.

3. Southwest regional winner: “Foundations of Safer Dentistry: Improving Medical History Compliance” by Xii Cin Lim

   About the research:

   This quality improvement project aimed to assess and improve compliance with medical history documentation at every appointment in a general dental practice in Bristol, in line with General Dental Council (GDC) standard 4.1.1. A two-cycle audit was conducted, reviewing 100 patient records in each cycle. Initial results showed only 37% compliance, highlighting a significant gap in clinical record-keeping. Targeted interventions – including one-to-one feedback, team education, and clarification of documentation protocols – were implemented. A follow-up audit demonstrated a marked improvement to 92% compliance. The project underscores the importance of clear communication, team involvement, and regular auditing in enhancing patient safety and clinical standards.

4. : “Dental Management of a Patient with Carcinoid Syndrome and Carcinoid Heart Disease: A Case Report and mini-systematic review” by Mohammed Junayed Uddin Hamza

About the research:

This project addressed the critical gap in dental management protocols for patients with carcinoid syndrome, a rare condition that can cause life-threatening carcinoid crisis during dental procedures. Through a systematic review and case study of a 64-year-old female with carcinoid syndrome and heart disease, the research demonstrated that safe, comprehensive dental care is achievable through careful pre-treatment planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and modified treatment protocols. The patient successfully underwent preventive, periodontal, and restorative care without complications, showing resolution of pain and improved oral health.