2025, issue 31

Striking a balance between continuity and change

John Makin DDU dento-legal adviser
ByJohn Makin
Published18 August 2025
The NHS dental service needs a reset - but dental professionals shouldn’t become strangers to their patients.

"Never treat a stranger" is a piece of wisdom I took to heart when I was a dental student and during my years of practice.

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This page was correct at publication on 18/08/2025. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

John Makin
Head of the DDU

John Makin BDS PgDL PgCDE FHEA is head of the DDU. He qualified in Manchester in 1983 and has worked as a general dental practitioner in Lancashire and Devon before joining the DDU as a dento-legal adviser. He was involved with foundation training for many years as both a trainer and VT adviser/training programme director with the Manchester and Exeter DFT schemes.

Striking a balance between continuity and change