LDC Lanarkshire
Fed up? Ever felt changes are needed to our profession?
Do you want your voice to be heard? Lanarkshire LDC gives a voice to ordinary GDPS.
Who are we and what do we do?
Lanarkshire Local Dental Committee ( LDC ) is made up of 15 committee members who are elected on a 3 yearly cycle and meet roughly 5 times a year.
The role of the committee is to represent the professional interests of all Lanarkshire dentists.
We consist of ordinary GDPs (practice owners and associates) and practice inspectors. We have two members who sit on the Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC), the national representative body of non—salaried general dental practitioners.
The meetings are usually held on Thursday nights at Kirklands Hospital, Bothwell (or during the pandemic via Zoom).
Our five meetings each year consist of two parts:
- GP sub committee - we engage with a member of the Health board and the Dental Practice Advisor. The views of the profession are fed back to the Health Board. Recent examples of matters discussed include Oral Health Improvement Plan, Out of Hours, Practice Inspectors, GDPR and Clinical waste.
- LDC committee - we give a voice to dental issues relevant to our local GDPs, for example pay, pensions, General Dental Council, local resolutions and conditions.
The LDC also organises two verifiable CPD nights each year. These are free for mandate holders (non-mandate holders currently pay £80 for any in-person session attended or £50 for webinar events).
The work of the committee is funded by entirely by voluntary mandates from GDPs in Lanarkshire. The current levy works out at 0.2% of gross income, so £20 per £10,000. There has never been a more important time to support your LDC, we will only be continue to work on YOUR behalf with YOUR support, if you are not already a mandate holder please fill in a mandate and support your local committee.
We are always happy to welcome new members . For mandates or information about the committee please email our secretary Andrew Miller at ajrm01@gmail.com.
Our Committee
Christina Ferry
Chair - principal dentist Rutherglen HC Dental
I joined Lanarkshire LDC in 2014 and have found the help, support and advice from members invaluable especially in the early years of being a practice owner.
I also stand on Gp Sub committee, ADAC, Scottish Conference agenda committee & Lanarkshire Quality Improvement committee.
Hazel Hannigan
Vice Chair - Principal Dentist Muirhead
I am a GDP at a practice in Muirhead, which I have owned along with my husband since 2016. I joined the LDC in 2020 and have found it to be a valuable learning resource, offering a great opportunity to collaborate with my peers.
Patricia de Vries
Secretary
Joanna Levie
Member - GDP
I have worked as an associate dentist in Hamilton for 14 years. I joined the committee in 2018 and have found it to be a very good way to keep up to date with local and national developments - it has provided me and all local dentists with much support in these challenging times. I also sit on the ADAC & Gp sub committee.
Caroline Pryce
Member - GDP and Partner at North Road Dental Practice.
I joined Lanarkshire LDC in 2011. I became Vice Chair in 2017 and Chair in 2020. The extensive knowledge and experience of other colleagues has been paramount in supporting me with the challenges of dentistry, especially this year! I am a Vocational Trainer and also a member of ADAC & Gp Sub committee
Kevin Clark
Member - GDP with 3 practices in Lanarkshire
I’ve been a member of the LDC since 1993 serving as chairman and various other positions within the committee.
Lanarkshire LDC provides an essential interface between the health board and GDPs within Lanarkshire.
It has been a privilege to be a member of the committee and the experiences shared by all the members over the years have been invaluable to me . Given the challenges we will face as a profession over the post covid years the need for a strong and locally representative LDC will never be greater.
I also sit on the GP Sub Committee
David McIntyre
GDP, Principal dentist - Motherwell after buying the practice when I was 25!
Many changes and challenges have occurred in my many years in dentistry since but I still believe it is a great profession to be part of. I strongly believe LDC’s are essential to listen and to provide representation for our Lanarkshire GDP’s both at local and national level. Being on the committee not only brings much knowledge and reassurance on all aspects of dentistry but also provides life long friendships!
I also have the role as a practice inspector for Lanarkshire NHS and sit on various committees from LDC and ADAC to the Scottish Dental Fund (SDF) and Scottish Conference Agenda Commitee and GP Sub committee.
Helen Dennison
Member - GDP
Helen qualified from Glasgow Dental School in 2014 and has since held associate positions in Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Forth Valley, serving on Greater Glasgow and Clyde LDC from 2020-2022. She currently works as an associate in a busy, predominantly NHS practice in Lanarkshire.
David Macpherson
Member - GDP East Kilbride, Principal and owner of Whitemoss Dental Practice.
I joined the LDC in 2006 and my membership was invaluable in expanding my career and developing my Practice. Sharing and learning from experienced colleagues and friends has been invaluable. I am also a long term Vocational Trainer and CPD Advisor for NES, I also sit on the GP Sub committee
John Hyland
Member - Principal dentist Hamilton
Married to another dentist Caroline with 2 children. Qualified 1997 have owned a practice in Hamilton for 13 years. Enjoy being a VT trainer and working with good staff in a great atmosphere. Joined LDC in 2020.
I also sit on the GP sub committee
Rachel Byrne
Member - GDP - Principal dentist Belhaven dental practice Wishaw
Rachel qualified from Glasgow University in 2007 and also joined the Belhaven team the same year vocational trainee. Rachel is now the practice principal and owner. She bought the practice in 2016 following Kieran Watters’ retirement. Rachel has a special interest in restoring implants, facial aesthetics and working alongside vocational trainee dentists. In Rachel’s spare time she is a busy mum and enjoys socialising.
Joanne Lagan
Member - Principal dentist at Lagan Dental Care, Coatbridge.
Joanne graduated with commendation from Glasgow Dental Hospital in 2009. Following graduation she completed 2 year postgraduate training across various dental specialities. During this time Joanne gained experience working in general practice, in hospital in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Public Dental Service, working with anxious patients and those with additional and complex care needs. Joanne continued with her post graduate study and, in 2011, went on to achieve membership of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Joanne joined the practice in Laird Street in 2013 and spent 10 years as an associate dentist. Lagan Dental Care was established in April 2022 when, along with her husband David, they took over the practice as principals.
Joanne is committed to providing the highest quality of family dentistry and endeavours to make your experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Over the past decade Joanne has loved establishing relationships with her patients and always enjoys a good catch up when they pop in for their treatment.
Michael Barnes
Member - Principal dentist at Strathaven Dental