A visiting lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Bedfordshire has been awarded a Colgate Robin Davies DCP Research Award in recognition of her innovative research aimed at improving mentorship within UK dental practice.
Charlotte Wake, who is a practising Dental Hygienist and Therapist alongside her work at the University, has been selected as a recipient of the highly competitive award, which provides up to £5,000 in funding to support clinically relevant research, particularly in the field of preventive care.
The award is granted to Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) undertaking research of clear clinical relevance. Applications are expected to demonstrate a collaborative approach, typically involving a wider research team including an experienced academic mentor or supervisor with an established research record.
Charlotte’s PhD project focuses on developing a structured, evidence-based mentorship model for UK dental practice. Her research aims to address current inequalities in access to formal mentorship schemes across the dental profession and to support improved professional development, wellbeing, and retention among dental care teams.
The anticipated impact of the project is significant for both dental professionals and patient care. Early findings from the scoping review indicate a lack of dentistry-specific mentorship frameworks, with many existing models adapted from other sectors such as sport or general healthcare without sufficient tailoring to dental practice.
Speaking about this award, Charlotte said: “To have this award available to support Dental Care Professionals is invaluable, it encourages researchers from an under-represented dental community and helps to make research work viable. To have a panel of experts from such a prestigious institution recognise the value in this work and offer financial support for this PhD project is such an honour.
“I am absolutely delighted to be an awardee and wish to thank all involved with judging this award, and those involved in the development of this project. Special thanks to my excellent supervisory team; my Director of Studies Associate Professor Dr Hoda Wassif and Internal Supervisor Professor Dr Yannis Pappas for their unwavering support; without whom winning this award would not have been possible.”
Charlotte’s academic supervisors, Associate Professor Dr Hoda Wassif and Professor Yannis Pappas said: “We are delighted to see Charlotte’s work receiving this prestigious funding award, which reflects both the originality of her research and her exceptional dedication on improving mentorship in Dentistry. This Colgate Robin Davies DCP Research Award will facilitate the progression of Charlotte’s work even further, and we look forward to continuing to support her throughout her studies and with making a real-life impact with her work.”
Professor Iain Chapple, Honorary Director of the Oral and Dental Research Trust, said: “The ODRT is delighted to be able to support this innovative and important project, thanks to the Colgate Robin Davies Award scheme. Congratulations Charlotte and we wish you every success in this project.”
