Over the past few months, the Dental Defence Union (DDU) has asked dental students and dental staff from each dental school in the UK to nominate a teacher whom they believe to be the most outstanding dental educator.

We are thrilled to announce that members of staff teaching at Bristol have been shortlisted in two categories for DDU Educational Awards.

Ms Nikki Rogers, DCP Teacher at Bristol School for Dental Care Professionals, is one of three finalists for the Award of DCP Teacher of the Year. Professor Stephen Lisney, Professor of Physiology at the School of Medical Sciences, has been shortlisted for the Award of Dentist Teacher of the Year.

To have two finalists from Bristol is a fantastic achievement. However, this is even more outstanding as Bristol won DDU Awards in both 2008 and 2009! In 2008, DCP Tutor Alison Grant won the Award of DCP Teacher of the Year. Susan Hooper, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry, won the Award of Dentist Teacher of the Year in 2009. A win in 2010 would mean an award for Bristol for the third year in a row.

As finalists, both Nikki and Stephen have already secured an award of £250 for themselves. They are now preparing to give a 15-minute presentation at the Awards ceremony in London on their commitment to delivering outstanding teaching. The overall winner in each category will receive an additional cheque in the name of their school for £1,000 to be used towards educational material.

Congratulations to you both on your successes so far, and we wish you all the very best of luck for the Awards ceremony on 17 November.