Earlier this month I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of a new oral health campaign held by a certain toothpaste manufacturer most of the world is familiar with. While I was expecting a small gathering of dental press and professionals, I actually entered a dazzling affair in the West End of London, about three times the size of my own wedding! The reception area was heaving with dental industry people, key opinion leaders, chief executives, editors, influencers, celebrity dentists and... BDJ Team contributors! I mention this here because it was so good to meet contributors to BDJ Team face to face and chat in person.

Later, we were whisked along to the main room to be seated at three enormous tables and watch the presentations, which were projected across the walls and ceilings all around us.

For that evening, dentistry felt like an exciting and optimistic place to be, something I always seek to embrace in BDJ Team. And connecting with contributors - and of course current and potential readers - is essential.

In recent weeks I have placed notices on Instagram asking for volunteers to be featured in career profiles and day-in-the-lifes, and for new reader panellists who would like to contribute to creating and writing for BDJ Team. I have received a very warm response and have tried to reply to everyone promptly. I am really excited to feature some fresh faces and authors in BDJ Team this year - look out for them in the upcoming issues!

Our cover star this February is a member of the team at Shiraz Endo in Solihull: Lawrence. I was intrigued to hear that Lawrence was a professional ballet dancer in his past. He has now turned his attention to a dental practice manager apprenticeship at his best friend's practice.

As previewed in the January issue, this month Caroline Holland investigates the ‘tongue-tie taboo' and questions whether oral healthcare teams should offer appropriate signposting for parents. Ella Samuel explores managing dental anxiety in patients. BDJ authors consider the mental health and wellbeing of dental admin staff. And paediatric dental therapist Mariam Al-Ani shares advice for treating young patients with special educational needs.

I hope to meet more of our amazing contributors and readers this March at Dental Showcase!

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Kate Quinlan

Editor

k.quinlan@nature.com