Thomas Lees

After qualifying from Glasgow Dental Hospital and School in 1996, I completed a 2-year period of general professional training in the North-east of Scotland, encompassing 6 months Oral Surgery in Dundee, 6 months Community Dental Service and 12 months VT both in Aberdeen. Whilst, like most graduates, I had anticipated going into general dental practice, the 'no two days the same' experience of secondary care led me back to hospital Oral Surgery and completion of the MFDS in 2000. 

I was first introduced to sedation for dentistry in the latter years of dental school and throughout my GPT posts, by several very enthusiastic teachers in what was relatively new practice at the time, and saw how these techniques could vastly improve the care of the anxious dental patient and reduce our reliance on general anaesthesia. A move to the South West in 1999 and further experience in several primary and secondary care settings in both the UK and San Francisco, convinced me that I wished to pursue a career in Oral Surgery with scope to develop a specialist interest in conscious sedation.

In 2002, I moved to Gloucestershire to take up a hospital post in OMFS. Past experience, completion of the SAAD two-day national course and excellent support from Consultant colleagues lead to the creation of an outpatient IV sedation service in 2007. This was the first of its kind for Oral Surgery in the County in NHS or Private care, and one I still lead. I was appointed Associate Specialist in OMFS in 2008 and was admitted to the Oral Surgery Specialist List in 2017.

With the advent of commissioning of services and specialised practice, I wished to future-proof myself and completed the PG Diploma in Conscious Sedation at Cardiff University in 2016. Since then, I have attempted to pass on the knowledge and opportunities this and my years of sedation practice have afforded me. I am registered as a SAAD and STAC sedation mentor and have provided such mentoring to local colleagues to enhance local provision of IV sedation. I have delivered several local and regional sedation-related study days and I also provide sedation teaching to the regional Dental Core Trainee group as well as ongoing training of our Oral Surgery Speciality Trainee.

In addition to my NHS work, I also work part-time in a dental practice offering oral surgery under IV sedation. I am fortunate to work with superb teams in both places of work, both of whom invest in sedation training. 

When not at work, Sara and I enjoy long walks and fresh air with our 5-year-old cockapoo, Rolo. I also enjoy doing my best MAMIL impersonation exploring the back roads of Gloucestershire on my road bike when time allows.

 Munir Ravalia

I qualified from The Royal London Hospital in 2002 and went on to complete my training as a Senior House Officer in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Kingston and St. George’s Hospitals. During my various postings I was awarded the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, England. Furthermore, I have worked in both primary and secondary care and joined King’s College Hospital as a specialty doctor in acute dental care.

Having had experience of such a wide array of the dental field, I found it most rewarding when having the opportunity to help patients who had fear or phobias. This led me to my postgraduate training in pain management and conscious sedation.

I am currently a Trust Dentist and Clinical Lecturer in Conscious Sedation at The Royal London Hospital and provide general dentistry on the other days. In addition to my formal training, I have trained in acupuncture for the head and neck region and obtained a Medical Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis. 

Outside of work I’m a beekeeper and have written a book on the use of propolis in oral healthcare.