Equality, diversity, and inclusion committee
The EDIC ensures that the BDA is an inclusive association for all dentists, whatever their characteristics, professional interests, or geographical location in the UK.
Our priorities
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC):
- Supports the way in which we embed our mission, vision, values, behaviours, and organisational strategy
- Provides expert advice and guidance on all matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion work
- Supports initiatives to create more diverse and representative BDA committees and working groups, so that the voices of all dentists are fully represented and heard
- Monitors the progress of appropriate strategic aims and action plans that enable the BDA to provide inclusive and accessible member services that are appropriate for all dentists
- Harnesses insights and ideas from across the BDA and the membership about EDI issues and to incorporate these into all relevant research and policies
- Reviews and develops inclusive practices with the integration of equality and diversity matters into all aspects of our work for members including lobbying, marketing, communications, negotiations, training, research, advice and guidance
- Supports the BDA to fulfil its statutory obligations in respect of equality and diversity.
Our team
Co-Chair
Lauren Harrhy
Lauren qualified from Cardiff in 2009 and has worked full time as a GDP in Wales ever since. She bought her practice, Sparkle Dental Centre, in 2017 and became a Foundation Trainer in 2020. She had a PGDIP in Aesthetic Medicine.
Lauren’s focus for the past few years has been on helping to maintain the mental health of dental professionals. She set up a closed Facebook forum where dentists can discuss all aspects of mental health, stress, and crisis.
Lauren is a founding member and current trustee of Confidental, a helpline providing emotional first aid and signposting to dentists in crisis.
Lauren’s involvement with the Balance the Boards group has given an insight into the challenges facing those who wish to increase awareness of EDI.
In addition to Co- chairing EDIC, she is also on various other BDA committees as a representative.
Co-Chair
Ellie Heidari
Ellie is a specialist in special care dentistry currently working at King’ College London, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences (FoDOCS) and the Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry at Guy’s Hospital. Her PhD research was in dental phobia. Her research that advocates for vulnerable people has been widely published and has gained media attention.
After her qualification at Tandlakar skolan in Gothenburg, she worked in a busy NHS practice before moving to King’s College Hospital and Community Dental Services.
She has contributed to and drawn from a variety of experiences as a champion of EDI in different organisations in primary and secondary care where she has proactively advocated for fair, transparent, and accessible opportunities for our diverse oral healthcare team members and students.
Committee members
Get in touch
The EDIC Committee is supported by Nuzha Dissi, Policy Officer, who can be contacted via email: Nuzha.dissi@bda.org.