Darren Hills reports:
Preparation for our customary quinquennial reunion commenced in January. On 24th November 2018, 27 of our year (plus 15 partners) gathered together to reminisce the 30 years since undergraduate qualification. Particularly impressive was the effort made by Tony Hill to travel all the way from Tasmania!
Events kicked off with a tour around the Dental Hospital on the Saturday morning, which Ken Marshall very generously offered to host. Almost uniquely amongst British Dental Schools, BDH remains on its original site. However, although the front façade remains relatively unchanged, it has been extended and extensively modified, such that it was almost unrecognisable from the building we trained in. In fact, we spent a fair amount of time trying to recall the 1980s layout! The clinical areas are vastly expanded to accommodate larger year intakes, the library has been replaced by a computer room and all students now have the benefit of using microscopes for endodontics – no wonder we found it so difficult back then! Ken’s “surgery design” in Cons has stood the test of time though and it was good to hear that so many of the people who taught us are still associated with the school in one way or another.
The main event was a black-tie dinner at Hotel du Vin. There was much catching up during the champagne reception followed by an enjoyable meal. It is fair to say that everyone has worn fairly well and also mellowed over the years. We have collectively followed quite diverse career pathways, but most of us are still practicing dentistry in some shape or form and there was genuine interest in what everyone is now doing. Chris Stephens kindly spoke after dinner and although not said literally, it was clear that BDH continues to benefit from the generosity and commitment of many of the people who taught us and no doubt their successors. It was therefore appropriate that the £850 raised from the event was donated to BDH.
Needless to say, the evening continued well into the night. We will definitely do this again in 2023!