We are proud to share that our Principal Dentist, Dr Alfie Chan, volunteered his expertise at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.
With over 20 years of experience serving the Newbury community, Alfie has a long-standing interest in sports dentistry. He completed further training in the field at UCL and has worked with England Rugby, providing pitch-side trauma dental support, as well as supporting local junior football teams.
At the Commonwealth Games, Alfie was part of a dedicated team providing essential dental care to athletes from over 70 countries. Based in a mobile dental unit, he delivered routine check-ups, oral health advice, and emergency dental treatment, particularly during high-impact events such as Rugby 7s.
Sports dentistry plays an important but often overlooked role in athlete wellbeing. While elite athletes typically receive comprehensive medical support, dental care is not always included. This can lead to untreated issues, particularly for athletes from countries with limited access to dental services.
Alfie explains:
“Athletes are incredibly fit, but their oral health can sometimes be neglected. We’re here to make sure they can compete without dental problems affecting their performance.”
In addition to treatment, a key focus of the initiative at the Commonwealth Games was education. Athletes were given practical advice on maintaining good oral health, helping them protect their teeth long after the Games had ended.
Throughout the competition, Alfie worked a series of full-day shifts, contributing not only his clinical skills but also supporting the collection of valuable data to help inform future research into athlete health and wellbeing.
He adds:
“It’s a unique opportunity to combine my professional skills with my interest in sport. I find it incredibly rewarding to support athletes in this way.”
We are delighted that Alfie represents both The Rectory Clinic and the wider Newbury community on an international stage.
