Dr Urshla Devalia OBE appointed Registrant Council Member at the General Dental Council

The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced the appointment of Dr Urshla Devalia OBE, known as Oosh, as its new Registrant Council Member. Oosh will replace Simon Morrow, who is set to conclude his term after eight years. She is expected to take office on 1 October 2026.

She will join the Council of 12 members, comprising six lay members and six registered dental professionals, led by the GDC’s Chair, Dr Helen Phillips.

Oosh is an experienced national clinical leader with a strong track record in clinical care, policy development and system leadership, particularly in improving outcomes for vulnerable children and reducing oral health inequalities.

She is a Consultant Paediatric Dentist at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals (UCLH), and President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. In June 2026, she was appointed an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to children and young people’s oral health.

An alumna of the Harvard Senior Dental Leaders programme, Oosh has held national policy roles including Clinical Policy Lead within the Office of the Chief Dental Officer for England, and chairs the national Managed Clinical Network Forum for Paediatric Dentistry.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chair of the GDC, said:

“This is an exciting time for Oosh to join the GDC Council as we work to deliver our Strategy for 2026 to 2028, and I look forward to working with her. I would also like to thank Simon Morrow for his important contribution to the Council during his term, in his role as Senior Independent Council Member and in his work on the Audit and Risk Committee.”

The recruitment process was conducted by Saxton Bampfylde, following guidance issued by the Professional Standards Authority. The appointment was approved by the Privy Council.

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Photo credit: Vicky Matthers Photography