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Founded by an Expert in Dental Care Field
Founded in 2024 by Mrs. Meena Ranka, R-Academy was born from a vision to elevate dental education and empower professionals in the field. With a career spanning over two decades, Mrs. Ranka has been a Consultant in Restorative Dentistry since 2013 and has worked across both NHS and private practices. Her deep-seated passion for dentistry and commitment to enhancing professional skills led her to establish R-Academy.
Bridging the Gap in Skill
Throughout her career, Mrs. Ranka recognised a gap in advanced dental training and the need for comprehensive, hands-on education. Her goal was clear: to provide dental professionals with the advanced skills and knowledge they need to excel and deliver exceptional patient care.
Our Leadership
Mrs. Meena Ranka is the driving force behind R-Academy, bringing her extensive expertise and enthusiasm to the institution. Her leadership is marked by a hands-on approach and a dedication to student success.
- Expert Guidance: Mrs. Ranka oversees the development of all courses, ensuring they are both rigorous and practical.
- Commitment to Excellence: Under her leadership, R-Academy incorporates cutting-edge technologies and fosters a collaborative learning environment.
Dr Kewal Shah
Kewal is our resident Endodontist. His expertise allows him to deal with teeth that have complex endodontic (root canal-related) problems, meaning he can save teeth that may otherwise need to be extracted. He has extensive experience in providing root canal treatment and retreatment, apical surgery and dealing with traumatic injuries to the teeth. His compassionate approach ensures an excellent patient experience.
After graduating from the prestigious University of Bristol in 2005, Kewal went on to complete the Royal College of Surgeons (England) Membership examinations in 2007.
Kewal is one of the few dentists to be awarded a specialist training position in endodontics at Guy’s and King’s College Dental Institute, where he successfully completed 4 years of advanced training and passed all examinations with distinction.
He was also awarded the Membership in Endodontics by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which is recognised as the highest qualification in the field.
He currently divides his time between King's College London - Guys Hospital Campus (as a clinical teacher on the MclinDent Endodontology), and private referral practices.
Dr Gareth Brock
Having completed an honours degree in Biochemistry at The University of Birmingham in 1993, Dr Brock undertook a BDS Dentistry degree at the same institution in 1998, during which time he received a number of local and national awards. Following vocational dental training in Lincoln, he went back to Birmingham Dental Hospital and School to complete a PhD in Periodontology in conjunction with the well-known company Unilever, under the supervision of Prof I Chapple. This led to the British Society of Periodontology’s Fish Prize for research. It was also during this period that he began teaching at the undergraduate level in Periodontology and Prosthodontics disciplines, in addition to further postgraduate training in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. He went on to study for and gain his Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) in 2005. Subsequent time was spent working in a hospital maxillofacial unit, four months in an ITI programme in the United States and then private practice prior to five years of clinical speciality training in Restorative Dentistry at Liverpool Dental Hospital and School. This extensive programme provided opportunities to teach both undergraduates in dentistry and hygiene therapy programmes, in addition to delivering undergraduate and postgraduate lectures and table clinics locally, nationally and internationally.
Following completion of specialist training and examination to be awarded his diploma of Fellowship in Dental Surgery in 2012 (Restorative Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh), Dr Brock has undertaken both Dental Hospital and general hospital consultant posts in England, Scotland, and Wales. As well as wearing a clinical hat, he has continued to engage in undergraduate and postgraduate education delivery and training, including acting as an educational and clinical supervisor for Dental Core Trainees and Specialty trainees in Restorative Dentistry and its allied disciplines. He also acted as an undergraduate BDS Year 2 tutor at the University of Manchester (2014-17) in addition to teaching on the postgraduate Periodontology programme. He is particularly motivated by seeing several students under his guidance go on to deliver clinical work, present it and receive national prizes!
He continues to examine for, and has taught on, the MFDS programme for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He has recently established a hospital Restorative Dentistry post in a busy maxillofacial unit in Cornwall and is an external examiner for University College Cork.
Welcome to R-Academy Dental Practice
Qualifications and Specialisations
Edward is a fully qualified Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist and a full member and vice chairman of the Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists Technologists. He is also a registered Dental Technician with the GDC. Registration: 125530
Professional Journey
Edward started his career in 1997 at Guy’s & St Thomas Hospital as a Trainee Dental Technician and obtained his Diploma in Dental Technology in 2000. Between 2001 and 2003, Edward worked as a Dental Ceramist and, at the same time, attended evening school at Lambeth College to complete his HNC in Orthodontics. In 2004, he became a Senior Orthodontic Technician at the John Radcliffe in Oxford and then eventually Chief Orthodontic Technician in 2007 at Wexham Park Hospital. Here, Edward obtained a certificate in Healthcare Leadership and Management at West London University. In 2009 Edward attended Manchester Metropolitan University, studying Maxillofacial Prosthetics & Technology, becoming qualified as a Maxillofacial Prosthetist in 2011. In 2013, Edward became the Laboratory manager of the Maxillofacial Laboratory at Luton & Dunstable Hospital. During this time, he implemented a 3D printing service, and obtained funding for a CBCT scanner at the trust. In 2020, Edward was awarded a level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Managers Institute.
Since July 2021, he has now been the Maxillofacial Laboratory Manager at Healthcare Partners Ltd, which is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary company of the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford. Edward has since implemented BSI ISO13485 quality management systems in the laboratory, which focuses on the quality of custom-made medical devices.
Areas of Expertise
His main interests include prosthetic rehabilitation of patients who have suffered facial injury or defects due to cancer, this includes Ocular, Auricular, and Nasal silicone prostheses. Edward is also very experienced with Digital Orthognathic Planning and regularly attends joint planning with surgeons to virtual plan surgical moves. Edward is also an expert at Prosthetic Obturation of head and neck cancer patients and has worked closely with Dr Ranka for many years to achieve excellent patient outcomes.
Contributions and Achievements
Edward currently works at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford as a Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist and has implemented many new initiatives, including digital surgical planning. He is a National and International speaker and has lectured on a range of topics, including 3D Orthognathic Planning, 3D Medical Modelling and most recently at the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons on the NHS England Getting It Right First Time (GI RFT) report for Maxillofacial laboratories.
Personal Interest
When not at work, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He loves to DJ whenever possible, this has always been his lifetime passion. He also works on building projects of his own, from house renovation to building model railways!