Janet Clarke graduated in 1981 and completed a Master of Community Dental Health in 1989 and worked as a clinical dental officer in a range of Midland health authorities before becoming Associate Director for Dental Services in 1991.
In her role, she oversaw the provision of community dental services for vulnerable people in Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall. This included providing mobile dental units in areas of social deprivation, complex dental treatment on a domiciliary basis and intravenous sedation for severely anxious patients.
Her career has included chairing the BDA's Central Committee for Community and Public Health Dentistry and leading negotiations to introduce the new contract for salaried primary care dentists, establishing a new pathway for career progression. In 2010 Janet was awarded the MBE for services to dentistry having 12 months previously been appointed by the Government to work alongside Professor Jimmy Steele in his Independent Review of NHS Dentistry.
In January 2016 Janet became Deputy Chief Dental Officer. As a senior member of the Medical Directorate, Janet works in partnership with other directorates, domain leads and other clinical leaders in regional and local area teams to improve outcomes for patients, and support the role of dentists and dentistry across the health system. Outside work, Janet says, she enjoys "time with my family and friends, travelling, the theatre and in particular walking the many beautiful footpaths and coastpaths of England with frequent stops for reviving cream teas."