The NOHPG was formed in 1980 by Pauline Dimmock, a dental health educator working in Northampton.Pauline felt there was poor communication and sharing of good practice across the country for people working within Oral Health Education, so she decided to address the issue head on! She placed advertisements in several publications asking for ‘interested parties’ to respond. Over 200 people felt that they could benefit from a national group. This phenomenal response led to the first Oral Health Education Conference on the 19th and 20th October 1981at Milton Keynes College of Further Education.It was at this conference that the National Oral Health Education Group was formed and Pauline Dimmock was duly elected as its chairperson.The principles of the group are primarily the same as when the group was founded in 1981, namely to:-
  • promote communication between members and agencies active in dental health education (now oral health improvement)
  • support the introduction of evaluation and evidence based practice
  • establish and coordinate a support network for people working in the field of oral health improvement.

These founding principles were adopted by the membership and established as the constitutional objectives for the organisation.

Over the next twenty years the National Oral Health Education Group contributed to significant advancements in the promotion of oral healthcare, adoption of evidence base and quality standards and the endorsement of the development of healthcare alliances.

In 1997 Professor Mike Lennon of the British Fluoridation Society, was elected the group’s first Patron, followed by Dr Ray Watkins, the then Chief Dental Officer for Scotland.

Dr Tony Jenner OBE, former Deputy Chief Dental Officer for England followed on from Dr Watkins until June 2012 when Dr Collette Bridgman, Consultant in Dental Public Health with NHS Manchester and an Associate Specialist Clinical Adviser with NHS Primary Care Consulting (PCC) was elected as our current Patron.

In 2001 members adopted the title of “National Oral Health Promotion Group” reflecting the expanded role of education into areas of social health determinants, common risk factors and political strategy.

In 2011, we celebrated 30 years of promoting oral health with a sponsored dinner for members in Newcastle on the evening prior to the annual study day. To mark the occasion all members received a commemorative pen.

After 30 years, still we strive for consistent quality standards of practice and continue to support colleagues working within oral health promotion. The celebrations were testament to an organisation based on a determined, dedicated and committed membership.