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About

Dr Biju Krishnan BDS hons. FICD FCGDent Practice Limited to Orthodontics and Cosmetic Dentistry

Biju was first introduced to early interceptive orthodontics in 1994 by Dr Skip Truitt, a pioneer of treating children early to help optimise growth and development, to improve airway function and avoid the need for orthodontic extractions. Since then he has undertaken extensive training in treating children while they are still growing and still in their primary and mixed dentition. He has trained with and worked alongside acclaimed educators such as Dr Skip Truitt, Dr Derek Mahoney, Dr Patrick Grossman, Dr Tasha Turzo and Dr Mo Almuzian amongst others.

Happy Kids Chelsea, SW3, London biju@drbkrishnan.co.uk

Polly Woodfine BSc(Hons),MRCSLT, MHCPC. Speech & Language Therapist in Private Practice. Specialising in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders.

Polly qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2001 and has worked across the UK and
Australia, in the NHS and within her own private practice since 2013. She has developed a
wealth of knowledge and skills in the area of Myofunctional Therapy, which complements her
Speech and Language Therapy practice.
Polly has a passion for Speech and Language Therapy, describing her purpose in life as helping
children reach their speech, language and communication potential, whilst working closely
with their families to ensure they are all fully supported through the process.
Polly works with children and teenagers who present with any kind of speech, language and
communication difficulty. A thirst for knowledge, has meant that over her 24 years of
experience, she has developed specialist skills in the areas of speech delays and disorders
(including Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia), Developmental Language Disorder and Autism.
In particular, Polly has a specific interest in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders causing speech,
swallowing, breathing and sleep challenges. During her work in this area, she has developed
strong interdisciplinary working relationships with Ear Nose and Throat Consultants (ENT),
Tongue Tie Practitioners, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapists, Dentists and Orthodontists.
Polly’s observation is that ‘best practice’ requires working with a team of multi-disciplinary
professionals in order to provide holistic and fully-integrated treatment to help a child reach
their speech, communication, feeding and breathing potential. Therefore, she is excited to
have the opportunity to cultivate interdisciplinary working through the Society for Dentofacial
Growth and Function.

Dr Helen Jones BD,LDS.RCS,MFGDP.UK, FICD, FPFA, Retired Specialist Orthodontist. SDGF Honorary Secretary. Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, 100 Top Doctors 2024, GSI.

Helen graduated from Guy’ in 1965 and after a few years in general practice she moved with her family to South Africa. She returned to the UK and in 1982 she limited her practice to orthodontics and took a a part-time course at the Royal Dental Hospital. She held a part-time hospital clinical assistant post for 11 years, providing traditional orthodontics, usually involving the extraction of four premolars, fixed appliances & headgear for teenage patients. She also worked as an assistant to Prof. John Mew for four years where she was introduced to early dentofacial orthopaedics, the Orthotropic premise and the Biobloc system.

However, it was hearing the late Dr Brendan Stack in 1992 that markedly changed her career pathway. Dr Stack demonstrated how Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders were related to compromised jaw relationships and that retracting, often combined with extractions, could result in serious damage and, in some cases, could be devastating. Dr Stack stressed the importance of osteopathic input in correcting cranial structures. She attended many of his lectures in the UK and visited his clinic in Vienna, Virginia, on six occasions. She is a founder member of the British Society for the Study of Cranio-Mandibular Disorders, now the British Society for Integrated Dentistry, for which she acted as secretary for 12 years. She is associate editor of their journal, Cranio UK. Presentations and articles on all aspects of healthcare, both mainstream and alternative, have been covered by the society and the journal. More recently the importance of the airway in relation to dentistry has added to the challenge of dental practice as it is today. This has culminated in the formation of the Society for Dentofacial Growth and Function which sets out an interdisciplinary approach to early interceptive treatment in order to establish optimal facial growth and function.

Chris Harris Osteopath, Cranial Osteopath, Osteodontic specialist BA hons, DO, FSCCO

Chris graduated as an Osteopath from the European School of Osteopathy in 1994 and according to him has not looked back since, having found his vocation. Luckily for him this college in particular gave a good undergraduate grounding in Cranial Osteopathy. Despite some initial reservations he notched up a number of formative and inspirational experiences in the school’s clinic, particularly with paediatric patients. He quickly realised that this was an area in which to specialise.

This he has done by study, training, and working alongside renowned figures in the field across the world. Postgraduate study and trainings with the Sutherland Cranial College which started in 1995 has led to a Fellowship within the organisation. In the UK he has worked closely with the Haydens, Hilary Percival and Nicholas Handoll amongst others. In New Zealand he spent time shadowing Anthony Norrie and trained with Maxwell Fraval. All this combined with 30years of patient centred work has helped him in the synthesis of his own unique approach.

He describes constantly attempting to extend the depth and reach of Osteopathic treatment. As a result of a chance encounter with a specialist dentist in 2003 he attended a conference and began developing his work in Osteodontics: the interface between dental/orthodontic intervention and Cranial Osteopathy. As part of this he completed several dento-orthopaedic courses run by the late great Skip Truitt. This has emerged as a very powerful and necessary area to work, particularly in the paediatric realm. There are obvious and lifelong health benefits from Dentists, Myofunctional therapists and Osteopaths plus other associated disciplines cooperating for patient benefit. This has in turn led to the passion and motivation exhibited in particular by members of the Society for Dentofacial Growth and Function. Working in this new, fast developing and exciting area forms a large part of Chris’s clinical work.

Despite this specialisation his work continues to be broad in scope. The youngest patient has been one day, the oldest 98years. He enjoys applying Osteopathic principles to the very wide variety of issues that patients present with. 

He has worked professionally in the UK, New Zealand, Trinidad and casually in many other parts of the world. He recently travelled to Costa Rica with an organisation called Hands with Heart. This is an Osteopathic body dedicated to treating disabled children and young adults within indigenous communities. 

He strongly asserts two particular things: that he loves and enjoys the work and that he will continue with it as long as possible even if he were to win the lottery. 

T: 07900927692 E: info@chrisharrisosteo.com W: www.chrisharrisosteo.com

Amberin Fur Hons Ost, DO, DIP WHO (MIH), LFHom, HBOT Chamber Operator

Amberin is a distinguished osteopath who qualified from the University College of Osteopathy (UCO), Europe’s leading osteopathic university, in 1997. She began her cranial career at the renowned Osteopathic Centre for Children on Harley Street, working under the esteemed Stuart Korth. She has also trained with Dr Tasha Turzo, DO and founder member of the ALF Educational Institute.

Demonstrating a commitment to continuous professional development, Amberin has completed a postgraduate training diploma in Women’s Health and several SCCO cranial courses over the past 25 years, including the Paediatric Pathway. Her expertise and passion for osteopathy have led her to open clinics in London and abroad, providing exceptional care to diverse communities.

One of her notable achievements is the establishment of a specialty clinic in Hyderabad, India, dedicated to children with special needs. This clinic operated successfully for four years, significantly impacting the local community. Additionally, Amberin played a key role in the UK|Surestart government project, delivering cranial osteopathy to children aged 0-4 to ensure they received the best start in life. The Surestart program ran for three years across two sites before she transitioned it to the UCO, where it continues to thrive as the Children’s Clinic.

With experience spanning various age groups from newborns to nobility, Amberin has made significant contributions to the field of osteopathy. She spent 12 years on the medical team for British Gymnastics and was selected one of six osteopaths, as part of the core medical services in the athletes village at the London 2012 Olympics, where osteopathy was included for the first time.

In addition to her clinical work, Amberin has served as Vice Chair of the Osteopathic Alliance for ten years. In this role, she has been instrumental in representing the interests of all postgraduate osteopathic institutions, dedicated to preserving and promoting the principles of osteopathy.

Amberin’s extensive experience, dedication to patient care, and leadership within the osteopathic community make her a respected and influential figure in the field.

The Vital Practice Amberin Fur, Clinical Director 86 Brook Street, Mayfair,W1K 5AY

 +44 (0) 7305 098 626  +44 (0) 207 9470122

amberin@thevitalpractice.co.uk https://thevitalpractice.co.uk

Katrina Rogers
BSc(Hons); MRCSLT; Churchill Fellow 2019 Independent Speech and Language Therapist, Consultant in Dysphagia, Specialist in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and Functional Orofacial Pain

Katrina is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and a Consultant in Dysphagia, who has
worked in various settings within the NHS and Independent Clinical Practice. She is an honorary
lecturer at Christchurch University and she has consulted on a number of projects for industry
and healthcare At the core of her professional work she is a leading expert in the management of
eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in paediatrics and adults.
As an SLT she is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy which supports the relationship of the
tongue to palate to improve functional outcomes related to eating, drinking and swallowing,
breathing, voice, sleeping, speech production. She is interested in the relationship between how disordered function can negatively impact structural development and the affect craniofacial de-
velopment and teeth shape which is often in the context of tongue-tie.

In 2019 she was a Churchill Fellowship winner to place oral structural difficulties relating to tongue tie and its effects on a wider health agenda across professional groups to inform a working practice model in the UK and to influence health policy.

https://www.churchillfellowship.orgwww.integrativetherapysolutions.co.uk

Mr Amit Parmar

photo & Bio pending.

A leading ENT consultant, based in Birmingham who specialises in paediatric airway, head & neck surgery.