Member Article

Tracey Bell obtains Cardiff University Expert Witness Certificate

Tracey Bell is known for her commitment to investing in her education and business, having recently celebrated her PGCert and diploma in Dental Law and Ethics before embarking upon her studies for her Masters. These legal skills will be used in her field of dentistry and aesthetic medicine.

Expert witnesses play a key role within the UK’s judicial system by providing opinion based evidence to assist courts in reaching decisions. They may be asked to write a report or statement and can be called to give evidence in a wide variety of legal forums including: civil, criminal and family courts, tribunals, arbitrations, inquiries and professional conduct hearings.

Tracey stated: “Having completed my qualification at Cardiff University, I can offer impartial evidence in the field of dentistry and facial aesthetics, something that I have grown up with over the past 24 years and which has become my life and passion.

“Over the past ten years, treatments and technology have changed in dentistry and aesthetic medicine with the advent of the internet, online education and social media. Knowledge and information is widely available which can help patients make decisions. However, respect for autonomy and consent from patients is paramount in providing patient care and for me it was a natural progression from dentistry and aesthetics to understanding the legal aspects of patient care, decision making and ultimately providing the patient with the correct information in order to make the best decision.”

Tracey added: “My last three years have been fascinating, studying the legal implications of practice and care. Patients ultimately are driven to make decisions in time of need, when in pain or under stress and therefore the process of decision making needs to be considered in that context. Patients certainly have the right to challenge all treatments provided and ultimately the patient should understand their options – this is something that many practitioners may have taken for granted in the past or may simply have offered one solution. Today in medicine and dentistry there are many potential solutions and patients should be informed of all of their options.”

“I’m very much a people person”, added Tracey, “and I like patients to be treated right with care, empathy and understanding as I would expect as a patient myself. I intend to use my skills in the long term, maybe in the legal field, but at the moment I’m enjoying the learning!”

Tracey’s illustrious career as a dentist, which has led to her opening five of her own clinics, training the next generation of leading dentists and aesthetics specialists, and her ongoing commitment to both learning and teaching make her ideally placed as a dental expert witness, bringing her expertise and experience to the field of law.

Tel. 0151 707 0340, www.traceybell.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Hill .