The British Dental Association (BDA) has appointed Tristen Kelso as its new Northern Ireland Director, following the recent retirement of Claudette Christie. Tristen joins the BDA from leading public affairs agency Stratagem, where he served as health lead for four years, overseeing accounts ranging from Cancer Focus NI and the British Heart Foundation, to community providers such as Specsavers. He has also served as a political advisor to an MEP, and has led on policy for the Integrated Education Fund and The Ulster Farmers Union.

The Chair of the BDA’s Northern Ireland Council, Roz McMullan, said: “Dentistry in Northern Ireland faces unprecedented change. Tristen brings a wealth of experience in health policy and campaigns to help our members meet those challenges head-on. We are proud to have him join our team.”

Tristen added: “I am delighted to join the BDA as its Northern Ireland Director. While we do not yet have a government at Stormont, we do have unfinished business on contracts and an Oral Health Strategy that is need of an urgent update. My commitment is to offer the strongest possible voice for dentists in Northern Ireland.”

Tristen takes over the role from Claudette Christie who stepped down from her position on 23 June after 16 years with the BDA in Northern Ireland. Claudette joined the BDA in 2001, following a career in general dental practice and in the prison dental service. She graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1987 and completed her MSc in management and corporate governance from the University of Ulster in 2006.