Welcome to the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD). Founded in 1973, BASCD is concerned with dental public health and related subjects.

"Dental public health is the science and the art of preventing oral disease, promoting oral health, and improving the quality of life through the organised efforts of society."

The discipline covers a wide range and includes such topics as oral epidemiology, dental health services research, preventive dentistry, especially in relation to communities, dental health education and promotion, clinical research with particular emphasis on the care of special groups, behavioural sciences related to dentistry, decision theory, and dental health economics.

The overall purpose of the Association is defined in the constitution, namely:

"Community Dentistry is that philosophy and practice covering aspects of dental care for and in the community. This relates to the needs of populations and groups in society concerned with preventing and controlling oral disease and conditions."

• The promotion of oral health in the community
• The maintenance of a body with expert knowledge of, and experience in, all aspects of dental public health
• The study of the provision of oral health care for the community
• The development of the teaching of dental public health
• The study of relevant aspects of community dental practice

The Association is a multi-faceted organisation with a wide membership, which provides a forum for all aspects of oral health and oral health care to be discussed. This involves interaction and collaboration with other agencies and societies with similar aims and the provision of independent expert advice to help improve the oral health of the population. However, to prosper, the Association must meet the needs of its membership and continue to promote, educate and inform its members.

Eligibility for Membership
Membership is available to any person having a special interest in public health and community dentistry and who has a dental or medical qualification, registrable in the United Kingdom, or another qualification approved by Council. Application for membership must be sponsored by two members and submitted to the Honorary Secretary on the appropriate application form.

Meetings
The Association currently holds two two-day scientific meetings a year, usually in March/April and November/December. The March/April meeting includes the Presidential meeting and Annual General Meeting and is held in different parts of the U.K.

The Autumn Scientific conference is aimed at a broad range of dental professionals from general dental practitioners to strategists within NHS organisations and the government. Therefore any ideas or implications across the continuum of individual dentists to changes at national level are of interest to our audience. As we are such a wide interest group then any major or controversial suggestions made during conference are likely to be both supported and challenged during questions and plenary sessions. The Spring meeting is a Presidential meeting with the conference theme following the expertise and interest of the elected president.

Prizes
The Association awards the Keith Woods memorial prize. Submissions are welcome from members. These are judged by a panel, according to set criteria.

The Roger Anderson Poster Prize is awarded to the best poster presented at the BASCD Spring Scientific meeting. It is judged by the President, Immediate Past President and President elect. The criteria for this prize are shown in the link.
The winners of the prize are announced on the website and the presentation of the Prize takes place at the Autumn Scientific meeting.

Publications
The Association publishes the Journal of Community Dental Health which has four issues a year and, apart from original scientific articles, contains reviews and abstracts of scientific papers presented at meetings of the Association. This is sent free of charge to members.
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The Association also produces reports and policy documents giving information to members. As a group with expert knowledge of all aspects of dental public health, the Association is consulted by the Departments of Health and submits evidence to relevant enquiries. There are 4 sections within the association and all BASCD members are eligible to participate in all Section meetings and activities. Sections report to the elected BASCD Council on their activities. The chairman of each of the sections is an invited ex-officio member of Council and also be a full voting member of the programme subcommittee.

The Honorary Secretary of the Association is

Kamini Shah,

T: 01642 352670
E: Kamini.shah@northteespct.nhs.uk

Applications for membership should be sent to the membership secretary,

Chris Cunningham
Membership secretary BASCD
Duncan Street Dental Centre
16 Duncan Street
Edinburgh EH9 1SR

T: 0131 667 7114
E: Chris.Cunningham@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk