Personal Statement
Leon graduated with distinction as both a Dental Therapist and Dental Hygienist from Queen Mary University of London (Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry), receiving academic and clinical prizes. He went on to complete an MSc in Advanced Specialist Health Care at the University of Kent and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Dentistry for Dental Therapists.

His professional career spans community, hospital, and specialist private practice environments, with a consistent emphasis on evidenced based oral health care, preventive dentistry, and the advancement of patient-centred care. Leon has presented at national and international conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals. He is the recipient of an International Travel Award and the ADEE (Association for Dental Education in Europe) Interprofessional Education Award, recognising his contribution to collaborative educational practice.

Leon’s current research interests focus on the professionalisation of occupations, particularly the evolving role globally of dental therapists and dental hygienists. Leon has a keen interest in the integration of haptic-enabled technologies to enhance pre-clinical education and bridge the transition into clinical practice for both dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists.

He has previously served as an external examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, and has been a visiting lecturer for Health Education England. Leon has contributed to academic publishing as a Reader for BDJ Team and as a reviewer for the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, evidencing his commitment to advancing scholarship and professional development within dental hygiene and therapy. and the wider dental community.

I use he / him pronouns - please feel free to ask about my pronouns.

Research Overview
Past Research Interests

Leon was awarded the Robin Davies DCP Award in 2018 and, in 2024, was invited to share his experiences with the award recipients and the wider dental community. He has presented scientific posters at both national and international conferences. His previous research focused on the use of the ICCMS caries prevention toolkit in primary dentition, as well as child anxiety and its impact on sedation services, including a poster presentation at the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry And International Paediatric Dental Conference.

Current Research Interests

Leon’s current research explores the use of haptic simulation to enhance undergraduate periodontal skills, aiming to improve the fidelity of pre-clinical training prior to patient care. He has represented the University of Liverpool at ADEE 2024, co-presenting on the role of haptic simulation in developing periodontal probing skills.

He also has a research interest in the professionalisation of dental occupations, having investigated the academic pathways of Dental Therapy educators as part of his MSc dissertation.

Leon has received international recognition for his work, including a travel award to present his MSc research at the National Conference of University Professors in Italy. His research has been showcased at multiple national and international conferences, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing dental education and clinical training