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Major projectsHebrew University AO Dental School Children’s Clinic Paedodontic Department Projectors, x-ray viewers etc Refurbishment of Prosthodontic clinic as part of the “Bridge the Gap” Campaign Tel-Aviv Dental School Recovery Room Microbiology Department New Lecture Theatre Focus on Future Campaign Radio-Visiography Unit Special Project for the Dean Poriyah Hospital Maxillo-Facial Department Dental surgery in the main hospital so patients would not need to be transferred Equipment for Maxillo-Facial Department Ezrat Cholim clinic in Jerusalem Dental surgery equipment Sarah Herzog Hospital Dental Surgery equipment Jaffa Institute Clinic Dental surgery equipped and new instrument provided
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LibrariesJerusalem School – Books and journals for students and staff updated with gifts when available. Tel Aviv School – Books and journals for students and staff updated with gifts when available. Poriyah Hospital Maxillo-Facial Unit – Special library in Memory of Dr David Rabin, founder member of the London Chapter who held every office and gave great service to the London Chapter.
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Recognition of Student AchievementAnnual student prizes at Hebrew University Dental School: In memory of Professor Ino Sciaky for final year student in Oral Medicine In memory of Prof. Julius Michman for 4th year student in Prosthodontics The Murray Woolf Prize in Orthodontics for final year student These currently provide $500 each annually and a certificate. Essay prize competitions at London Dental Schools in various subjects periodically.
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Student Grants and fellowshipsSupport grant for Israeli student at Glasgow University for M.Sc. in electron microscopy. Support given to the programme for graduates to study in British Canadian and US dental schools for 1-3 years. Grant to final year student at London University to complete studies. Special support for registrar from Poriyah to study at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in East Grinstead specialist Maxillo-Facial Unit. Support grants for electives by British students at Poriyah Hospital from Royal London and Guys, Kings & St Thomas’s Dental Schools of London University. Donor grant (possible $2000 – $8000) to Professor Zeles Dean of Dental Faculty Budapest University. Grant for research at Hebrew University Dental School from donor of 1,016.99 Euros.
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Special ProjectsOral hygiene programme instituted at the Ravenswood residential village for individuals with learning difficulties. Supported since 1991. Jewish relief for Jews in Kiev dental centre. Dental implants for victims of suicide bombs in Jerusalem. Anaesthetic equipment for special unit treating spastic children near London UK. The Trustees are always aware of the wider areas from which appeals are coming and consider each case to see if it can be covered by the limits of the Trust. However, the main emphasis still remains the provision of as much help as the funds will allow, and especially to the Tel Aviv and Haddassah dental schools. The last great project suggested by the Chapter Council of a fully equipped ambulance for Magen David Adom was handed over in Jerusalem in 2003 as reported in the newsletter. In all, and since 1972 when the Trust was founded, $1,272,750 has been distributed to those causes for which the Trust was established. We are indebted to the Trustees and the many supporters for the success of the London Chapter of Alpha Omega Charitable Trust over so many years. There have only been two previous Chairmen of the Trust, Bernard Herson and Harold Preiskel, and the new Chairman, Professor Andrew Eder, is determined to maintain the standard set. The work goes on.
Chairman's Welcome
It is a genuine honour and privilege to serve as Chairman of the Alpha Omega Dental Society London.
Since its inception, Alpha Omega has long held a special place in our profession; uniting dental professionals across generations and disciplines under the shared values of fraternalism, charity, and education. The London chapter continues to flourish because of the deep commitment of its members and the vibrant, supportive community we’ve built together. We are also very proud of our growing Young Dentist Alpha Omega group and its exciting programme of events.
Like many of you, my own professional path has been shaped by unexpected turns and timely mentorship. Growing up in 1990s Manchester, surrounded by the energy of Oasis, Manchester United and the Hacienda, dentistry might not have seemed the obvious direction. But it was a combination of a lucky career questionnaire and a deep-seated desire to help people through science and technical craft that led me to Leeds Dental Institute and ultimately to endodontics, my true passion.
I was fortunate to train at the Eastman and to work under some of the finest mentors in the field. With perseverance and a bit of calculated risk, I transitioned from general practice to becoming a Specialist in Endodontics. Today, I am proud to serve patients and mentor colleagues through my work at the Harley Street Academy of Advanced Endodontics, and as a lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute. Education and community remain at the heart of everything I do, which is why Alpha Omega’s mission resonates so strongly with me.
I am deeply grateful to our immediate past Chair; Kevin Silver for his exceptional leadership. I would also like to thank our incredible committee for their relentless behind the scenes work in bringing this year’s programme to life and for all they do to contribute to the continued growth of our Chapter.
This year’s programme features seven lectures and two webinars:
Use It or Lose It – Exploring the Limits of Tooth Preservation
This year’s lecture series is both timely and thought provoking, themed around the increasingly relevant question: When should we preserve teeth and when must we let them go?
Through a blend of clinical expertise, ethical reflection, scientific evidence and patient-centred insight, our speakers will explore the boundaries of what’s possible, responsible, and sustainable in modern dental care
Lecture 1:
Dr Raj Rattan MBE tackling the medicolegal landscape with a distillation of dento-legal matters, acquired over a 30 year career in the field.
Lecture 2:
Dr Leigh-Ann Elias navigating the challenging world of orofacial pain diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
Lecture 3:
Dr Nikolaos Gkranias offering a balanced view on the often disputed question of “Teeth vs Implants”.
Webinar 1 :
Dr David Keinan Gives his comprehensive presentation of cases and research outline the protocols and evidence for saving compromised teeth.
Webinar 2:
Dr Michal Halperin-Sternfeld presents her cutting-edge research for an innovative method for enhanced alveolar bone regeneration using bioactive grafts made from extracted teeth.
Lecture 4:
Dr Harris Sidelsky and Rabbi Doctor Akiva Tatz discuss the philosophy and ethics behind minimally invasive dentistry and tooth preservation
Lecture 5:
Dr Scott Aaron provides an up-to-date overview of diagnosing and managing acute dental conditions, with a focus on changes in pharmacological practice, care pathways, and record-keeping requirements that reflect current standards of care.
Lecture 6:
Dr David Selouk explores in this case-led lecture the diagnosis and management of cracked teeth and dental resorption, offering practical strategies and evidence-based insights to help clinicians navigate these challenging conditions with confidence.
Lecture 7:
Professor Eddie Scher and Bryan Matthews exploring how advanced digital planning and technician-clinician collaboration truly transform lives.
I warmly invite you to take full advantage of this year's remarkable programme. Come for the learning, stay for the camaraderie and bring friends and colleagues along. Together, let’s continue to uphold the best traditions of Alpha Omega: excellence in dentistry, enduring friendship, and meaningful service.
I look forward to welcoming you throughout the year.
Warm regards,
Dr David Selouk
Chairman, Alpha Omega Dental Society London 2025–2026
Specialist in Endodontics
Academy of Advanced Endodontics | Eastman Dental Institute
The Alpha Omega London Charitable Trust
The Alpha Omega London Charitable Trust was established in 1972 and continues to be extremely active in its mission to support the ‘advancement of dental education, research and care, wherever it is needed’. The Trustees, who represent both the London Chapter and Trust, meet regularly to ensure appropriate and prompt distribution of funds to worthy causes always creating a positive social impact and ensuring the highest levels of governance.
Projects supported by the London Charitable Trust fall into four main areas harmonising with the over-arching ethos of Alpha Omega and have included the following over the past ten years:
UK Charities: supporting oral health assessments and dental hygiene programmes for special care residents at Norwood (formerly Ravenswood) and the TreeHouse School at the National Centre for Autism.Dental Schools in Israel: providing equipment and facilities to enhance patient care outcomes as well as undergraduate, postgraduate and specialty training at the Hadassah and Tel Aviv Dental Schools and the Rambam Medical Centre.
Overseas Clinics and Charities: essential funding to improve care and promote oral health projects at Aleh Negev, Beit Issie Shapiro, Dental Volunteers for Israel, Israeli Army Dental Corps, Jaffa Dental Institute, Luba Slome and Yad Sarah. A fully equipped ambulance was gifted to Magen David Adom. Surgical and medical equipment has also been donated to the Poriya and Laniado Hospitals. Further afield, support has been directed towards reducing levels of primary dental disease in Eastern European communities through World Jewish Relief.
Prizes and Awards: the Trustees are very keen to support our younger colleagues who are the future of our profession and of Alpha Omega. In this regard, the following postgraduate prizes are awarded at Hadassah: The Ino Sciaky Prize in Oral Medicine, The Michman Prize in Prosthodontics and The Murray Woolf Prize in Orthodontics. Closer to home, and in order to increase the local profile and awareness of Alpha Omega, several undergraduate elective scholarships for dental students and postgraduate travel scholarships for specialist trainees are offered each year. In addition, and in association with the Zamet family, the Dr John Zamet Memorial Prize in Periodontal Research is awarded every two years to a postgraduate specialist trainee in periodontology in the UK.
The London Charitable Trust is delighted to work so closely with the London Chapter of Alpha Omega and to enjoy excellent relationships with so many of our senior colleagues in the dental trade who are extremely generous supporters of our widening participation and social enterprise initiatives.
We are indebted to the two previous Chairs of the Charitable Trust, Dr Bernard Herson and Professor Harold Preiskel, the Trustees and our many members and supporters for raising almost £750,000 to date. We thank you and are determined to continue with this important work.
Trust Council 2025/26
Professor Andrew Eder (Chair of Trustees)
Dr David Selouk (Chair, Alpha Omega London)
Dr Mervyn Druian (Trustee and Past Alpha Omega International President)
Dr Stephen Handelsman (Trustee and Secretary)
Dr Aron Marcus (Trustee and Treasurer)
Dr Veronica Morris (Trustee)
Dr Eddie Scher (Trustee)
Dr Diana Spencer (Trustee)
Dr John Wolffe (Trustee and Past Alpha Omega International President)
Interested in membership?
Alpha Omega dental fraternity is a non-sectarian fraternity and although we have a Judaic heritage, we welcome members of all faiths and backgrounds. If you are not already a member of Alpha Omega, why not consider joining. In doing so you get friendly camaraderie, quality CPD and will be supporting charitable dental causes, around the world.
The Council
Many members may not be aware that there is a core group of council members who literally make Alpha Omega tick and I feel it only right that they be recognised for their efforts. We cannot deliver this kind of program without their constant hard work behind the scenes. We always need new members on Council, so please approach any of us, if you are interested in helping out.
Chairman
David Selouk
Secretary
Dr Veronica Morris
Membership Secretary, Marketing and Website
Diana Spencer
Immediate Past Chairman
Kevin Silver
Student Liaison and Young AO Coordinator
Ella Levene
Past Chair Advisors
Richard Horwitz
Jonathan Lack
Aron Marcus
Stephen Handelsman
Treasurer and Young AO Coordinator
David Selouk
Scientific Committee Chair
Eddie Scher
Trade Liaison
Adele Kendler
Member at large
Nina Tetra (International Board of Director AO)