Dr Urshla Devalia

Dr Urshla Devalia (Oosh) is a paediatric dental consultant working at the Eastman Dental Hospital, University College Hospital, London and in the Community Dental Services (CDS) in Bedfordshire. She is also the Managed Clinical Network Chair for Paediatric Dentistry in the East of England. 

Oosh is also the National Lead for Mini Mouth Care Matters (Mini MCM), an initiative created to empower medical and allied healthcare professionals to make every contact count by educating on the importance of integrating mouth care with general health. She is also lead for the pilot project scheme run by the Eastman Dental Education Centre & Health Education England entitled; Child Focused Dental Practices (CFDP), which is a national scheme being delivered in primary care dental practices across three NHS regions (the South West, London and the East of England).  

A Trustee and board member of the Executive Committee for the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, she contributes to a number of briefing papers to improve health and social care for children and young people across the UK with her primary focus on the management of vulnerable patient groups, including those with learning disabilities and/or autism, and those with complex medical needs.

She worked for a number of years as clinical policy lead for the Office of the Chief Dental Officer for England, looking to ensure barriers and inequalities are removed for children and young people with additional needs who attend special education settings. A member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, she believes in cross-sectional working, ensuring gaps in workforce are addressed across England.