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Winners of the Inaugural Welsh Dental Awards Announced

Gleaming smiles were seen all around, as the Welsh Dental Awards recognised the best Wales’s dental industry has to offer.

Held at the Hilton Hotel on the 8^th of May 2026, hosted by BBC Wales’s Behnaz Akhgar, the Welsh dental community gathered for the first ever Welsh Dental Awards!

The awards have been established to celebrate the incredible achievements of Wales’s top dental professionals, to recognise the essential role they play, providing both life-changing and life-saving dental care. This year acknowledged both a winner and a highly commended category, due to our high number of incredible applicants.

The Winners, and Highly Commended individuals and practices are as follows:

Patient Experience of the Year

Winner – Ruabon Road Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Wyndham House Dental Practice

Oral Health Excellence of the Year

Winner – Wyndham House Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Kirsty Chappell – Kirsty’s Smile Academy

Compassionate Care of the Year

Winner – Whitland Dental Co

Highly Commended – Pontcanna Dental Care

Community Initiative of the Year

Winner – The Dental Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) – University Dental Hospital

Highly Commended – Wyndham House Dental

Green Practice of the Year

Winner – South Wales Specialist Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Centre

Highly Commended – Y Bont Faen Dental Centre

Digital Practice of the Year

Winner – Red House Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Y Bont Faen Dental Centre

Practice Transformation of the Year

Winner – Y Bont Faen Dental Centre

Highly Commended – Whitland Dental Co

Dental Nurse of the Year

Winner – Jasmin Mae James – Brynteg Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Heidi Clay – Rhoose Dental Practice

Dental Hygienist/Therapist of the Year

Winner – Catherine Teear – Wyndham House Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Chanelle Bowen

Receptionist of the Year

Winner – Hannah Neale – Brynteg Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Cheryl Roberts – Wyndham House Dental Practice

Treatment Coordinator of the Year

Winner – Jayde Thomas – Brynteg Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Chloe Harris – Dental Lounge Glynneath

Practice Manager of the Year

Winner – Vikki Leigh Edwards – Laffan Dental Care

Highly Commended – Claire Seaborne – Newport Orthodontic Centre

Practice Principle of the Year

Winner – Dr James Hayden – Hayden Dental

Highly Commended – Dr Alexandra Davies – Whitland Dental Co

Rising Star Dentist of the Year (Under 33)

Winner – Oliver Jones – Mumbles Dental Suite

Highly Commended – Dr Ryia Roy – Smart Smiles Ebbw Vale

Dentist of the Year

Winner – Dr Rory Dewhurst

Highly Commended – Dr Chloe Harrington-Taylor – Hereford Dental Implant Clinic

Facial Aesthetic Excellence of the Year

Winner – Dr Sarah Khalil – Wellwood Dentistry & Aesthetics

Highly Commended – Nadia Khan & Sara Herbert Evans – Hayden Dental

Dental Team of the Year

Winner – Wyndham House Dental Practice

Highly Commended – Rumney Endontics & Dental Care, Newport Orthodontic

Centre

Welsh Practice of the Year

Winner – Whitland Dental Co

Highly Commended – Bethcar Dental

Welsh Dental Awards Champion 2026 – Wyndham House Dental Practice

The co-founder of the awards, Wesley Skene (WS Marketing) said: “The inaugural awards have shown why the Welsh dental sector is so important to Wales. It’s this industry that is at the forefront of the Welsh healthcare, and we are incredibly proud to shine a light on the work that is being done across Wales.”

Co-founder Dr Zena Aseeley said: “Congratulations to all our finalists and winners alike. Friday was a hugely successful evening, and the Welsh dental industry did itself proud. You truly are the best of the best, and we look forward to celebrating with you next year for the 2027 WDA’s”

A huge thank you to our Feature sponsors, Denplan and Woodlane Dental Equipment, and our Event Sponsors: JCP Solicitors, Lloyds Bank, DermaFocus, Wesleyan and Practice Plan, who helped to ensure a successful awards evening.

The Finalists Are

The Welsh Dental Awards (WDA) is delighted to announce the finalists for the inaugural 2026 Welsh Dental Awards. The WDA’s have proven to be incredibly popular, with a huge number of applications from across Wales.

The finalists are as follows:

Patient Experience of the Year

• Dr Sean Roberts – Friars Dental Clinic
• Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Ruabon Road Dental Practice
• Whitland Dental Co
• Hayden Dental
• Y Bont Faen Dental Centre

Oral Health of the Year

• Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Dr Sean Roberts – Friars Dental Clinic
• Kirsty Chappell – Luna Dental Cardiff – Kirsty’s Smile Academy 

Compassionate Care of the Year

• Pontcanna Dental Care
• Narberth Dental Health Practice
• Whitland Dental Co
• Astro Dental

Community Initiative of the Year

• The Dental Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) – University Dental Hospital (Sagar Shah)
• Jamil Dental
• Wyndham House Dental

Green Practice of the Year

• Narberth Dental Health Practice
• South Wales Specialist Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Centre
• Y Bont Faen Dental Centre
• Clifton Dental (Newton)

Digital Practice of the Year

• Red House Dental Practice
• Whitland Dental Practice
• Y Bont Faen Dental Centre

Practice Transformation of the Year

• MyDentist – City Link
• Absolute Dental Cardiff
• Whitland Dental Co
• Y Bont Faen Dental Centre
• Clifton Dental (Newton)

Dental Nurse of the Year

• Jasmin Mae James – Brynteg Dental Practice
• Natalie Best – Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Tia Perry – Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Hannah Greenough – Whitland Dental Co
• Heidi Clay – Rhoose Dental Practice
• Louise Morgan Calgary Dental Practice

Dental Hygienist/Therapist of the Year

• Chanelle Bowen
• Catherine Teear – Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Nikki Bieri/Tuckfield – Red Kite Dental Care
• Suzanne Davies – Hayden Dental
• Sophie Howard – Astro Dental
• Kirsty Chappell – Luna Dental
• Sarah Homolka – Forest Dental

Receptionist of the Year

• Cheryl Roberts – Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Hannah Neale – Brynteg Dental Practice

Treatment Coordinator of the Year

• Chloe Harris – Dental Lounge Glynneath
• Jayde Thomas – Brynteg Dental Practice

Practice Manager of the Year

• Claire Seaborne – Newport Orthodontic Centre
• Mr Rhidian Davies – Whitland Dental
• Hannah Martin – Radyr Dental
• Hannah Roberts – Aman Dental
• Vikki Leigh Edwards – Laffan Dental Care
• Emily Brown – Flex Dental Group
• Paige Melosica – Wyndham House Dental

Practice Principle of the Year

• Dr Ali El Maadarani – Super Smile Dental
• Jamil Torofdar – Astro – Forest – Jamil – Luna Dental Practice
• Dr Alexandra Davies – Whitland Dental Co
• Paul Jones – Knights Dental Practice
• James Hayden – Hayden Dental

Rising Star Dentist of the Year (Under 33)

• Charlotte King – Smart Smiles – Ystrad Mynch
• Anthony Tsoi – Cyncoed Dental
• Daniel Mock – Lodge Dental Abergavenny
• Oliver Jones – Mumbles Dental Suite
• Dr Riya Roy – Smart Smiles Ebbw Vale
• Alys Walsh – Mydentist – Talbot Gree

Dentist of the Year

• Dr Aisha Sheikh – Bamboo Dental
• Dr Chloe Harrington-Taylor – Hereford Dental Implant Clinic
• Dr Simon Hill – Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Dr Rory Dewhurst
• Asha Joseph – Rhyl Smiles Healthcare
• Dr Aled James – Rhoose Dental

Facial Aesthetic Excellence of the Year

• Nadia Khan & Sara Herbert Evans – Hayden Dental
• Alys Walsh – Mydentist – Talbot Green
• Carmen Gisca – Rhyl Smiles & Health Care
• Dr Sarah Khalil – Wellwood Dentistry & Aesthetics

Dental Team of the Year

• Laffan Dental Care
• Newport Orthodontic Centre
• Rumney Endontics & Dental Care
• Wyndham House Dental Practice
• Rhoose Dental
• Brynteg Dental Practice
• Dental Lounge Glynneath

Welsh Practice of the Year

• Bethcar Dental
• Laffan Dental Care
• Newport Orthodontic Care
• Whitland Dental Co
• Hayden Dental
• Wyndham House Dental Practice

 

Wesley Skene of WS Marketing, awards co-founder says, “”The response to the launch of the Welsh Dental Awards has been nothing short of phenomenal. When we set out to create these awards, we knew there was a wealth of talent in the Welsh dental sector, but the sheer volume and quality of applications for our inaugural year have exceeded all our expectations. It’s clear there is a deep-seated desire within the profession to showcase the innovation and dedication that defines dentistry in Wales today. We are incredibly proud to provide a platform that finally gives these professionals the national recognition they deserve.”

Awards Co-founder Dr Zena Aseeley said, “As a dental surgeon practicing in Wales, I see firsthand the incredible commitment our teams have toward patient care and oral health excellence. The overwhelming number of applications we’ve received for the inaugural awards is a testament to the pride Welsh dental teams take in their work. Seeing such a diverse range of entries—from community initiatives to digital transformations—has been truly inspiring. This successful launch proves that despite the challenges the sector faces, the spirit of excellence in Welsh dentistry is stronger than ever, and we can’t wait to celebrate these achievements at our first ceremony.”

 The 2026 awards are being held Friday 8^th May at the iconic Hilton Hotel Cardiff. The glittering black tie ceremony will be hosted by BBC Wales broadcaster Behnaz Akhgar.

Tickets for the 2026 Welsh Dental Awards are now on sale at: www.welshdentalawards.co.uk

 

 

Applications Open for Inaugural Welsh Dental Awards

The Welsh Dental Awards is excited to announce that applications are open for the inaugural Welsh Dental Awards.

The Welsh Dental Awards have been created to celebrate the truly outstanding work the dental community plays in supporting the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.

The 2026 awards are being held Friday 8^th May at the iconic Hilton Hotel Cardiff. The glittering black tie ceremony will be hosted by BBC Wales broadcaster Behnaz Akhgar.

The categories are as follows:

• Patient Experience of the Year
• Oral Health of the Year
• Compassionate Care of the Year
• Community Initiative of the Year
• Green Practice of the Year
• Digital Practice of the Year
• Practice Transformation of the Year
• Dental Nurse of the Year
• Dental Hygienist/Therapist of the Year
• Receptionist of the Year
• Treatment Coordinator of the Year
• Practice Manager of the Year
• Practice Principle of the Year
• Clinical Technician of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year (Under 33)
• Dentist of the Year
• Aesthetic Excellence of the Year
• Dental Team of the Year
• Welsh Practice of the Year
• Welsh Dental Awards – Champion 2026 (Drawn from the winners of the categories above)

Awards Co-founder Dr Zena Aseeley said, “I’m incredibly proud to be a co-founder of the Welsh Dental Awards. As a dental surgeon I know the tremendous challenges dentistry in Wales faces. The Welsh dental sector contributes hugely to the health of our population and rightfully deserves to be celebrated for their great work.”

Wesley Skene of WS Marketing, awards co-founder says, “Being the founder of a number of awards, including the Welsh Law Awards and South Wales Business Awards, I’m acutely aware of the fantastic work that our industries across Wales do. The Welsh dental sector are the true unsung heroes, not only do they provide world leading care they are also major contributors to the Welsh economy.”

Welsh Dental Awards host BBC Wales’s Behnaz Akhgar commented, “I’m absolutely delighted to be hosting the very first Welsh Dental Awards. It’s a real honour to celebrate the talent, dedication, and innovation within Welsh dentistry and to recognise the people who make such a difference to patients and communities across Wales.”

The closing date for applications is Friday 27^th March 2026, with nominations announced on Monday 13^th April 2026. Full details of the awards and a downloadable application pack can be found at www.welshdentalawards.co.uk