The History of BAOS

In September 2001, an initial open meeting of Surgical Dentist specialists led to the development of the initial memorandum & constitution of the British Association of Surgical Dentistry (BASD). There was a need for representation of this special group of surgeons at a National Level. The Association was named to align with the existing Specialist List in Surgical Dentistry. Nigel Moss was elected as the Association’s first President and the initial membership of 40 rapidly expanded over the coming years.

In the spring of 2003 the Specialist Dental Advisory Committee (SDAC) of the GDC was commissioned to report on the arrangements for the dental specialities. This resulted in the amalgamation of the existing specialist lists of Oral Surgery and Surgical Dentistry in 2005. In anticipation of this, the Association changed its name to the British Association of Oral Surgeons in September of 2003.

As the Association developed and grew, the Dean of the faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offered support and council to the Association and provided administrative support. BAOS and the RCS of Edinburgh continue to enjoy a mutually supportive relationship, and our staff team, although now employed directly by BAOS, continue to be based at the College.

BAOS Past Presidents

Nigel Moss
September 2001 to September 2002

Michael Hahn
September 2002 to September 2004

James Parker
September 2004 to November 2006

Paul Allen
November 2006 to December 2007

Louis McArdle
December 2007 to December 2009

Rob Bunyan
December 2009 to December 2011

Keith Smith
December 2011 to September 2013

Pippa Blacklock
September 2013 to September 2015

Tara Renton
September 2015 to September 2017

Rebecca Hierons
September 2017 to September 2019

Paul Coulthard
September 2019 to September 2021

Julie Burke
September 2021 to March 2024