During her time studying at Bristol, Tila Lawton, from North London, worked with local charities to deliver culturally sensitive oral and sexual health education across the city, supporting underserved communities.
Through this work she introduced what has now become an annual HIV and equality symposium at the Dental School and worked with staff to create dedicated spaces called Lavender Rooms where students and staff can take time out if they need it to support their wellbeing. Her work was recognised earlier this year when she was named by Bristol Students’ Union as one of the 50 most influential students at Bristol in 2026.
Tila began her interest in working with charities in her second year with Dentaid – The Dental Charity. Using mobile dental units, they work across the country to support communities where vulnerable people are struggling to access dental care.
Tila said: “I knew about Dentaid before I arrived at the Dental School and always wanted to be involved. Obviously as an undergraduate I wasn’t able to do any treatment, but they had a day where they wanted the Dental School to support them at an event for single parents in South Bristol. We had a stall there where myself and another student gave out toothbrushes and toothpaste. We were also able to give advice and answer questions about dental hygiene, and it was clear that our presence there was making a real difference. I realised then that I wanted to explore outreach in public health a bit more.”
She then began working with Common Ambition Bristol (CAB), a sexual health charity that works specially with African and Caribbean communities in Bristol. As part of her role here, Tila worked with shops and business in the Stapleton Road area to give out condoms, lube and sexual health tests.
Treating patients with HIV is covered in the teaching curriculum for dental students so Tila thought it would be beneficial for the charity to come into the Dental School to work with students. The symposium, which is now a regular fixture, included a person living with HIV talking about their experiences, how the disease presents itself within the dental environment and how as professionals, care should be managed in the right way for patients.
She added: “HIV commonly can present within the oral cavity prior to representing anywhere else. So, it's really important for us to be able to pick up the signs of HIV, maybe before somebody else has or before they would even know to. During the session some really insightful feedback was shared, and I know people learned a lot, so it’s had a really good impact and I’m so proud that it’s now a permanent thing.”
The Dental School moved to purpose-built new premises in 2023 at the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. One of the things Tila recognised was that there could be some space for students and staff to take time out if things became stressful.
Tila said: “The new Dental School was a fantastic environment to work and study but the layout means that everyone knows what is happening. We’re treating members of the public and as with other NHS workers we sometimes face harassment or aggression which can be upsetting. Having a space to go where people know you are and can offer support I felt would be really important, so I wrote the Head of the Dental School to discuss ideas.”
As a result, every floor of the School has a ‘Lavender Room’ where students can find a safe space with snacks and water, and most importantly, it’s somewhere where other staff and students know that person has gone to, and they can check in and offer support.
Now she’s graduated Tila will be undertaking two years of foundation training in London to become a special care dentist working with patients who traditionally are unable to access dental care. This could include people in care homes, prisons and those with physical and mental disabilities.
She added: “I came into university wanting to grow as a person and figure out what dentistry was to me and what I wanted to get out of it as a human being. It’s taught me so many things other than just how to be a dentist. I've learned how to be an adult. I've learned how to communicate with people. I learned how to interact with people from all walks of life, and that was one thing within this, that opened my eyes to the fact that this career offers such a vast set of experiences and a really fruitful job, if you make the most of it.”
Professor Barry Main, Head of School - Bristol Dental School, said: “It is a pleasure to see Tila graduate. Not only has she completed a long and difficult course of study, she has fully embraced University life to make real differences to the lives of her fellow students and communities in Bristol. At the Dental School, her suggestion to provide safe, private spaces for students to meet personal tutors has been welcomed and valued by students and staff, and these Lavender Rooms are key to enhancing student experience. We all wish Tila the very best of luck in her future career.”