Ten UK dental schools are being invited to join Illuminate, a new, fully-funded educational partnership from Acteon UK that combines digital imaging technology, structured learning and national recognition to help prepare students for a profession where digital imaging and effective patient communication are becoming integral to everyday clinical practice.
Through Illuminate, universities will receive an Acteon C50 intraoral camera, together with onboarding and educational support, giving students the opportunity to put their learning into practice through anonymised case studies reviewed by a national panel of clinicians and educators.
Schools where five or more students submit case studies will be able to keep the C50 as an ongoing educational resource.
Developing future clinicians
Designed for dental students in years three to five, and dental hygiene and dental therapy students in years two and three, Illuminate has been created to support the transition from university to clinical practice.
By combining structured learning with hands-on digital imaging, it gives students valuable practical experience before graduation, helping them develop the communication, clinical reasoning and digital capabilities needed to deliver patient-focused preventive care.
For universities, the programme offers an opportunity to enrich undergraduate teaching while demonstrating a commitment to preparing students for modern practice. Participation also provides national recognition through involvement in a pioneering UK educational initiative celebrating excellence in dental education.
Bobby Mills-Pew, Lecturer & Clinical Supervisor at the Greater Manchester Hygiene and Therapy Programme, said: ‘When we looked at what Illuminate offered our students, the decision to integrate it into our formative assessment was a no-brainer. Intraoral imaging is increasingly central to how clinicians diagnose and communicate with patients, and we wanted our second-year cohort to develop those skills in a structured, meaningful way before they qualify.
‘Making it part of formative assessment means every student in the cohort engages with the technology and completes a case study – not as an add-on, but as a genuine part of their learning. This ultimately prepares the students for the real world with an additional skill they can utilise in their careers from the outset. We are very much looking forward to seeing what they produce.’
Amy Hayes, Global Clinical Education Manager at Acteon Group and a dental hygienist and therapist, said: ‘Supporting dental education has always been central to Acteon’s mission, and Illuminate reflects our commitment to the next generation of dental professionals.
‘Our ambition was to create something that goes beyond providing technology by bringing together education, collaboration and national recognition in a programme that benefits both universities and their students.
‘Illuminate provides a platform to showcase the talent, enthusiasm and clinical potential that exists across UK dental schools, while recognising the outstanding work being done by both students and educators.’
Recognising future talent
Students will have the opportunity to showcase their work through anonymised case studies, which will be reviewed by an independent panel of clinicians, educators and digital leaders from across the profession.
Outstanding submissions will be recognised at a special prize-giving event, celebrating excellence in patient-centred care, clinical thinking and the effective use of digital imaging. First place will receive a trip to Acteon’s factory near Milan and an Acteon C50 intraoral camera, with an Acteon C50 awarded for second place and an Acteon C20 intraoral camera for third place.
Supporting the initiative is an eight-member judging panel bringing together some of the UK’s leading clinicians, educators and digital dentistry experts. Comprising Dr Raabiha Maan, Dr Amit Patel, Dr Randeep Singh Gill, Dr Shameek Popat, Dr Bhupinder Dawett, Donna Schembri, Louisa Clarke and Amy Hayes, the panel will assess submissions against rigorous clinical and educational standards before recognising the most outstanding entries.
Dr Maan comments, ‘For me, one of the most valuable parts of Illuminate is that it gives students the opportunity to develop their communication skills right from the beginning of their careers. Communication is one of the most important skills we have as dentists, yet it’s something we’re rarely really taught at dental school. I genuinely believe it’s one of the biggest factors in having a long, happy and successful career in dentistry.
When a patient can actually see what you can see, the conversation completely changes. It builds trust, helps patients understand their own oral health and makes them part of the decision-making process. Giving students the opportunity to develop those habits early on is incredibly valuable, because these are skills they’ll use every single day throughout their careers.’
Dr Patel believes the programme also helps students to strengthen the clinical thinking that underpins effective diagnosis and patient care: ‘Diagnostic imaging and patient communication go hand-in-hand. The case study format encourages students to think critically about what they are seeing and explain it clearly, helping them to develop the clinical judgement and communication skills expected of today’s graduates.’
How to get involved
With places limited to just ten UK dental schools and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, institutions are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible. Applications close on 31 October 2026, with successful schools invited to support student case study submissions ahead of the 30 June 2027 deadline.
To find out more or register your dental school’s interest, visit acteon.foleon.com/uk/illuminate or contact Amy Hayes at amy.hayes@acteongroup.com.
