A Bolton dental health expert has been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Vanita Brookes has been awarded an MBE for her services to the oral health of people with disabilities.

Until her recent retirement, Vanita was a consultant in special care dentistry at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

She is a fellow in dental surgery of both the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Edinburgh and was an elected board member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of England from 2015 until 2021

In a statement, Vanita said: “I am truly humbled to receive this honour.

“It is, however, in recognition of all the patients and their families that I have had the privilege to provide care to over my career.

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“I am truly grateful for their support and encouragement.

"The board of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England on which I was proud to serve, have also been strongly supportive especially in the establishment training pathways and assessment for the speciality of Special Care Dentistry which will underpin the oral care of those with disabilities in the years to come."

Vanita added: “Finally, my thanks to my family and all the colleagues who have enabled me, in a small way, to improve the lives of those we serve.”
 

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