Consultant Profile

Mr Andrew RJ Elder BDS MFDS FDS (RestDent) RCS Eng

Practising at: Ashford

Specialties: Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics

Special clinical interests:
DENTAL IMPLANTS:
Surgical placement of dental implants under local or general anaesthetic and their restoration.
Undertaking bone grafting procedures before and during implant surgery.

SPECIALIST ROOT CANAL TREATMENT:
Specialist root canal treatment and endodontic microsurgery (apicectomies) using Cone Beam CT scans, magnification under an operating microscope and the latest equipment and materials.

COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Providing ageing patients with comprehensive dental assessments identifying current and likely future problems.
Undertaking specialist treatments to address these, ensuring the highest quality of care.

COMPLEX CROWN AND BRIDGE, DENTURE TREATMENT:
Undertaking complex crown, bridge and denture treatment to orally rehabilitate patients and ensure the best longevity and aesthetic outcomes, including tooth wear and failing restorations.

Current NHS and /or university posts: Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at East Kent NHS Foundation Trust

Current membership(s) of professional, national and regional bodies:
Fellow of the Faculty of Dental Surgery FDS Royal College of Surgeons, England (RCS Eng)
General Dental Council (GDC)
British Dental Association (BDA)
British Society for Periodontology (BSP)
European Federation of Periodontology (EFP)
British Endodontic Society (BES)
European Society of Endodontology (ESE)
British Society for Restorative Dentistry (BSRD)
Restorative Dentistry UK (RD-UK)
International Team for Implantology (ITI)

Background Information

Mr Andrew Elder is a Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons with over 15 years of expert experience as a Consultant in Restorative Dentistry undertaking dental implant placement and restoration, oral rehabilitations and specialist endodontic (root canal) treatment and surgery and is committed to the highest quality outcomes of dental treatments.

He holds the highest level of qualification in his specialities as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

His expert knowledge and skills are recognised by the General Dental Council specialist lists, namely Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Periodontics.

Andrew is able to provide patients with a comprehensive assessment of their dentition, present problems and likely future problems. With this information, Andrew is able to advise and undertake the best treatments for the patients, including dental implants.

Andrew uses the latest technology and materials:

• Cone Beam CT Scan (CBCT) 3D dental images for dental implant planning and root canal treatment. This allows guided surgery to be undertaken.

• All dental crown, bridge and dental implant prostheses are digitally designed and manufactured using the best materials.

• Use the best evidence-based dental implant system, Straumann.

• All specialist endodontic treatment is undertaken under the magnification of an operating microscope.

Andrew is experienced in providing comprehensive specialist dental implant, root canal treatment and oral rehabilitation treatment for patients. He is also experienced at meeting the challenges of managing complex Head and Neck Cancer, Trauma and joint Orthodontic patients.

Andrew has been undertaking private specialist practice in the hospital for over 12 years with excellent outcomes and feedback.

Andrew has special interests are across Restorative Dentistry, including dental implant placement and restorations, root canal treatment, complex crown and bridge treatment, and dentures.

Andrew also undertakes expert personal injury medico-legal work.

Training

Andrew undertook his five-year specialist training in Restorative Dentistry at Bart's and The London NHS Trust, and gained the highest level restorative qualification in the United Kingdom in the form of the Intercollegiate Fellowship Examination in Restorative Dentistry. This was followed by a Consultant post in the Endodontic (Root Canal Treatment) Department at the Eastman Dental Hospital, London, and subsequent posts at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge and Croydon Hospital.

Andrew took up the position of Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, East Kent University NHS Foundation Trust in 2009. His role has included the setting up of the NHS Restorative Dentistry service to support orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery services. His role provides specialist restorative dentistry treatment to high-priority and complex patients, as outlined by the NHS commissioners.

Teaching, Training and Examining  

• Andrew is actively involved in postgraduate teaching of general dental practitioners, foundation trainees, and restorative and prosthodontic specialist trainees.
• He was a Specialist Clinical Teacher at Guy's Hospital King's Dental Institute for over 5 years where, as well as supervising postgraduates, he delivered the important Clinical Skills course at the beginning of the specialist training programme.
• He is an educational supervisor for a specialist trainee in Restorative Dentistry shared with King's College Hospital. He trained two past specialist trainees who are now Consultants. He is also the Educational Supervisor for Dental Core Trainees and Specialty Trainees.
• He is Local Faculty Group Lead for East Kent.
• He is part of the National recruitment panel for Specialist Trainees and Dental Core Trainees.
• He was the module lead for Endodontics for the Diploma / MSc in Primary Dental Care University of Kent from 2010 to 2018
• He was an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons MJDF examination.

Committee & Leadership Roles

• Clinical Lead for Orthodontics and Restorative Dentistry in EKHUFT
• Director Specialty Advisor, Royal College of Surgeons
• Restorative Management Clinical Network (MCN) Deputy Chair
• Hospital representative on the Kent Local Dental Committee.

General

Andrew grew up and went to school in North Kent. He enjoys all sports, outdoor activities and keeping fit. He regularly cycles, sails and runs with the family Labrador dog. He enjoys family life in Kent with his wife and two daughters.