Mili Doshi, a consultant in special care dentistry at East Surrey Hospital, run by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), has been awarded a MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to dentistry in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.
This recognition comes after 17 years of service to the NHS as a dentist and over ten years as a specialist dentist in special care dentistry. As a consultant in special care dentistry Mili cares for vulnerable patients including those with dementia and severe learning difficulties as well as people with severe medical conditions.
More recently, at SASH, Mili initiated and led the introduction of Mouth Care Matters, a Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex training initiative to improve the oral health of hospitalised adult patients. Following a successful pilot at East Surrey Hospital, in 2016-17 Mouth Care Matters was rolled out to 12 NHS Trusts in Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
As a result of the positive results achieved for patients and staff Mili is now leading the Mouth Care Matters team who are working with 30 trusts nationally to introduce the Mouth Care Matters programme. Mili is also supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital as they develop a ‘Mini Mouth Care Matters’ programme for children during their stay in hospital.
Mili Doshi MBE, special care dental consultant, said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to receive this award. I wish to recognise my colleagues at SASH for their support and commitment and everyone involved in the Mouth Care Matters programme – I feel very fortunate to be part of a programme that has made a such a difference to patient care.”
Michael Wilson CBE, chief executive, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “This fantastic honour is well-deserved recognition of Mili’s exceptional commitment to improving the oral health of some of our more vulnerable patients.
“Mouth Care Matters and its national success is tribute to Mili’s energy and focus on meeting the complex needs of older patients and also, her current focus in extending this specialist care to younger patients too.”
