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.

e-learning

Diagnosing and treating periodontal disease

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
Dento-Legal Consultant

John Makin BDS PgDL PgCDE FHEA served as head of the DDU until 2026 and remains at the DDU as a Dento-Legal Consultant. 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