As the term draws to a close UBDSS President Emily Tucker reflects on the achievements of this year’s committee so far.
The term kick started in October with the return of the society’s infamous PROBE social night which saw an entertaining selection of innovative costumes being donned across the streets of Bristol. Outfits included a bag of jelly beans, road signs, buzz lightyear and a selection of Heinz food products!
Thanks to our wonderful social reps Harpreet Johal and Simrat Dhanjal the society also successfully hosted the greatly anticipated Clinical Christmas Meal where years three, four and five scrubbed up (or out) for a classy evening of wining and dining in the winter wonderland marquee at Racks bar and Kitchen. The evening raucously came to a close with our traditional rendition of the 12 days of Christmas which raised the roof of racks and in its wake shook the sleepy mansions of Clifton village. It was fantastic to be joined by Head of School Professor Robinson, Dr Weeks, Dr Dymock, Dr Hague and Dr Lee; we hope you enjoyed the evening!
After much hard work from the current and previous year’s UBDSS committee the last social event of the term marked the return of Dental Bar for our first pop-up bar event. These pop-up events, whereby the dental bar will be opened for the evening twice termly, are now run by Hawthorns hospitality. It was a brilliant evening and fantastic to have our much loved bar back in action; student moral has been greatly impacted. With Neel Sethi behind the bar and Sim on the tunes we were on for a winner! More pop-up events to come later in the year!
This year the UBDSS committee have decided to elect a dental charity to donate profits from all our charitable events and activities. After student voting the elected charity was chosen and is The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, an important organisation which aims to minimise the impact of cancer surgery so that patients can still integrate easily into their community and maintain their quality of life. Our charity rep Kayleigh Swainson has already put on two successful events this term included the amusing Great Dental Bake Off (featuring our very own Mary Berry aka Dr Hooper and Paul Hollywood aka Jay) and an enjoyable Charity Quiz Night in the student common room. We look forward to our next Charity Quiz Night on January 12th and further charitable endeavours this year.
As for sports the UBDSS Men’s football team ‘The Oral Intruders’ have come back fighting this year with the return of the ORAL INTRUDER MATCH REPORTS giving us all the low down on the antics , highs and lows of these emotional matches. Stay tuned for more next term ft. the team’s Captain Chris Bayles.
Socials and sports aside UBDSS have also worked hard to increase extra-curricular dental talks and events which have included a talk on dentistry in the armed forces, GSK introduction for year 1 and an excellent and diverse mid-term trade fair organised by Lauren Fern (Vice President) and Sarah Alwan (Education rep) .
UBDSS have also worked hard to liaise with student year group representatives and push student feedback in SSLC and faculty meetings, this has resulted in plans to increase patient supply on student clinics led by Dr Cunningham, a new student support system, the development of the NSS action plan and student input in to the ongoing BDS curriculum review. In response to continued student feedback and the work of previous UBDSS Student Presidents Rafik Mikhaiel and Theo Stennett we are also immensely grateful to see the opening of the new Dental Source Café.
On behalf of the UBDSS Committee we wish all students and staff an enjoyable and relaxing holiday and a Happy New Year.
Emily Tucker
UBDSS President
