Act now, shape tomorrow: Strategic shifts in dental care

Rebecca Harris is Professor and Honorary Consultant of Dental Public Health, Liverpool University, and also Senior Clinical Advisor on Dental Contract Reform Strategy in the Department of Health and Social Care.

She is member of the national Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA). Her previous roles include Deputy Chief Dental Officer for England, NHS England (2021-2023), President of the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD), House of Commons Specialist Advisor to the Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry into dentistry (2019), Public Health England Chair of the Guideline Development Group on Tooth wear, and NICE Oral Health Topic Expert (2014–2020). She is known for her work in addressing oral health inequalities and reforming NHS dental services in the UK. Her work primarily focuses on improving access to dental care for underserved populations, tackling health inequalities, and advocating for systemic changes in the way dental services are delivered. 

 She has been actively involved in shaping policies around NHS dental contracts and promoting reforms that ensure more equitable access to services, particularly for vulnerable groups.  Her research was recognised as world leading with an International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist award in 2020.