The BDA Benevolent Fund has announced that, for the first time in its history, it will have two co-chairs.

Shafaq Hussain and Molly Deykin will be working together to work towards the charity’s mission to provide practical, emotional, and financial support to dental students, dentists, and their dependents.

Shafaq Hussain is a dentist with 20 years of experience and an advocate for Parkinson’s UK, Confidental and City of Sanctuary UK.

Shafaq plans to focus more of her time on contributing to the work of the dental community by cutting back on her clinical role. She commented, “I’m glad to be such a meaningful part of the dental community and to be able to help others. I’m part of the Grant Making subgroup making decisions on applications and understand the desperate situations people are faced with and how important it is to help people who need assistance.”

Following her appointment, Shafaq aims to use her position to tackle the mental health crisis and support the expansion of the charity’s remit to help refugees and asylum seekers who were dentists in their home countries but who need support now that they are living in the UK. She added, “I believe there is a looming mental health crisis amongst dentists because of the current working conditions that get more challenging. This is something I’ve seen through my role on the board and as a volunteer for Confidental. Dentists will need time out and might need to cut hours to cope. The charity is there to step in to bridge financial gaps helping people to get well and stay well.”

Reflecting on her collaboration with Molly, Shafaq said, “I think the shared role will make a huge difference to the leadership of the charity because it brings together the experience of two dentists at different stages of their careers and life. Molly and I have varied insights, and working together will be hugely beneficial. It’s important for the board to have as broad an overview as possible.”

Molly Deykin joined the BDA Benevolent Fund’s board in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. With clinical work halted Molly wanted to make good use of her time to support her peers.

Reflecting on her experience with the charity, Molly said, “What I’ve learned in my last three years on the board is that the charity is generous and giving with absolutely no judgment at all. It’s all about looking forward and improving situations.

“I didn’t realise how many different types of people are supported. Anyone could hit financial hardship. It’s why we need to make as many people as possible aware of the charity, so that should they ever need that bit of support, they know where to turn.”

Molly first became aware of the charity through her membership with the BDA and her role as British Dental Student Association president. After graduation, she also worked with the Charity in her role as the foundation representative on the BDA Young Dentists Committee. Molly commented, “One thing that struck me as a newly qualified dentist, is no one told you how little money you can make as a dentist. There is never a conversation about not being able to pay bills or struggling with the adjustment of leaving university and going into the real world.”

To increase awareness of the charity amongst young dental professionals and universities, Molly plans to use her position to establish support avenues for them.

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