Summary
Dr. Rachael England is a prominent dental hygienist, public health advocate, and policy leader currently serving as Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation. With over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, education, research, and international health policy, she has played a key role in advancing oral health equity and workforce development globally. England’s multidisciplinary background combines clinical expertise in dental hygiene with academic credentials in accounting, finance, and public health, enabling her to bridge health care delivery and policy innovation.
Her career includes leadership positions in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and private dental sectors, as well as influential roles abroad, notably as President of the Emirates Dental Hygienists Club and founder of Maasai Molar, a charity dedicated to improving oral health in Kenya’s Maasai Mara region. Through partnerships with organizations such as the FDI World Dental Federation, she has co-produced national oral health campaigns and contributed to policy development in diverse countries including India, Saudi Arabia, and CARICOM member states.
Dr. England’s advocacy aligns with global strategies like the World Health Organization’s Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030, emphasizing preventive care and the vital role of allied dental professionals in addressing oral health disparities. She actively promotes evidence-based policy initiatives and workforce empowerment to support equitable access to oral healthcare, particularly among underserved populations.
In addition to her public health work, England has a strong research portfolio and a background in media, which inform her effective communication and leadership in oral health advocacy. Her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to education continue to influence international efforts to reduce the global burden of oral disease through sustainable, coordinated policy action.
Early Life and Education
Rachael England was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where she developed a strong foundation in the dental profession and public health. She trained as a Dental Hygienist in the Royal Air Force, gaining extensive clinical and practical experience before leaving the service in 2008. Following this, she pursued a diverse career working within both the National Health Service and private dental practices, which broadened her expertise in oral healthcare delivery. In 2013, Rachael relocated to Dubai, further expanding her professional scope in international contexts.
Over the course of more than 20 years, Rachael has cultivated her knowledge and skills in dental hygiene and global public health. Her academic qualifications include advanced research and professional training, supported by a PhD in Accounting and Finance from De Montfort University, and senior fellowships with the Higher Education Academy. She has also been an active member and fellow of professional accounting and finance bodies, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to her work in health policy and advocacy.
Rachael’s education and professional development have been complemented by her extensive use of technology-enhanced learning methods, such as ultrasound and audience response systems, to inspire and train students in clinical phonetics, which is critical for effective oral health practice. This commitment to education and innovation underpins her leadership in shaping oral health policy and advocacy initiatives on a global scale.
Career
Dr. Rachael England has built a diverse and impactful career spanning over 20 years in the dental profession and global public health. She began her career training as a Dental Hygienist in the Royal Air Force, where she was responsible for ensuring the dental readiness of military personnel. After leaving the RAF in 2008, she pursued varied roles within the National Health Service and private dental practice before relocating to Dubai in 2013.
In Dubai, England took on leadership roles aimed at developing the dental hygiene profession and reducing health inequalities. She served as President of the Emirates Dental Hygienists Club, where she worked to enhance the role of dental hygienists in the region and improve access to dental care. Concurrently, she advanced her expertise by engaging in education and public health initiatives with the FDI World Dental Federation. In this capacity, she collaborated with international organizations and governments to co-produce policies and launch national oral health campaigns in countries including India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and CARICOM member states.
Recognizing the critical need for oral healthcare in underserved communities, England founded Maasai Molar in 2018, a charity providing oral health education and dental care to rural Kenya’s Maasai Mara region. The charity has since partnered with the Emayian Medical Clinic to deliver year-round oral healthcare services in the Aitong area.
In addition to her public health and advocacy work, England has an academic background that includes a decade-long tenure as an economist at the Bank of England from 2000 to 2006, during which she also pursued a master’s degree at the London School of Economics. She is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Public Health at Teesside University, further strengthening her research credentials.
Throughout her career, England has also been involved in education, leading modules in accounting, ethics, and governance at various universities and supervising postgraduate dissertations. She holds professional qualifications including Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and Fellow of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT), reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise.
Her extensive experience in research and policy advocacy aligns with global oral health strategies, such as those developed by the World Health Organization, which emphasize the vital role of dental hygienists in preventive care and health equity. England’s career reflects a commitment to advancing oral health worldwide through clinical practice, education, research, and international policy leadership.
Advocacy and Policy Work
Dr. Rachael England has played a pivotal role in advancing global oral health through her extensive work in advocacy and policy. Her efforts align closely with key international frameworks, including the landmark Resolution on oral health adopted in 2021 and the Global Strategy on Oral Health formulated in 2022. These milestones were further operationalized by the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030, which sets forth 100 targeted actions aimed at fostering stronger, more coordinated global efforts to achieve equitable oral health access.
In her capacity, Dr. England actively collaborates with international organizations and governments to co-produce policies and spearhead national oral health campaigns across diverse regions such as India, CARICOM, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. This work underscores her commitment to addressing oral health disparities and promoting preventive care strategies globally. Her background as a Research Dental Hygienist, including involvement in significant cohort studies in the United Kingdom, provides a strong foundation for evidence-based advocacy.
Recognizing the crucial role of allied dental professionals, Dr. England advocates for workforce development among dental hygienists and therapists, emphasizing their importance in achieving both Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and World Health Organization (WHO) oral health objectives through preventive care and policy engagement. Furthermore, she supports the integration of oral health advocacy within pediatric and dental practices, encouraging professionals to utilize toolkits designed to enhance their advocacy efforts at local, state, and federal levels.
Through these multifaceted approaches, Dr. England contributes to addressing the persistent global burden of oral disease, particularly among vulnerable populations, and promotes sustainable, equitable solutions within public health frameworks.
Research, Publications, and Media
Dr. Rachael England has an extensive background in research, particularly focusing on the intersection of health, policy, and social factors. She served as the Principal Investigator for a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) research bid titled The business case for investment in technologies: The role of academics and tuition in 2019. Additionally, she led research on the East Midlands Top 500 Companies during her tenure at De Montfort University and has been actively involved in academic conferences, including chairing workshops and sessions at events hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and De Montfort University itself.
Her academic interests also extend to social studies, with research exploring topics such as the relationship between ethnic diversity and social quality in local areas of England, underscoring her interdisciplinary approach to social and health policy research.
Dr. England’s contributions to media and public discourse include her previous career as a broadcast journalist. She produced and directed current affairs documentaries for major networks such as Channel 4 and the BBC, covering significant global issues including Al Qaeda, the Gulf War, and the civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This experience informs her advocacy work, bridging communication, research, and policy efforts in the oral health sector.
Her role at the Oral Health Foundation aligns with global initiatives that emphasize coordinated and equitable approaches to oral health, such as the WHO’s Global oral health action plan 2023–2030, which outlines priority actions to improve oral health worldwide. Resources like the Oral Health Advocacy toolkit further support her work in promoting effective policy and advocacy strategies.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Rachael England has been recognized for her significant contributions both in her professional field and academic pursuits. She was honored with the allotment of legacy number 119 by the Football Association (FA) in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international match, highlighting her distinguished place in English football history. In addition, her selection as a goalkeeper for the Great Britain squad at the 2012 London Olympics was described by Brown herself as the pinnacle of her career.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Dr. England has attained several academic qualifications and professional fellowships that underscore her expertise and commitment to education. She earned her PhD in Accounting and Finance from De Montfort University in February 2019 and has been recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy as of March 2020. Earlier achievements include a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in August 2013, a Postgraduate Certificate in August 2012, and a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance in November 2010, all from De Montfort University. Additionally, she holds professional credentials from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), including the Practice Certificate (July 2001) and full membership since December 1998, as well as membership in the Association of Accounting Technicians since June 1993.
Her accomplishments have been acknowledged and celebrated by peers, reflecting her impact across both her athletic and academic careers.
Personal Life
Dr. Rachael England is also known for her work as an author, having published several books that reflect her experiences and insights as a medical professional. Her 2021 book, Breathtaking, offers a detailed account of her time working within the NHS during the UK’s initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and served as the basis for a television series of the same name. Prior to this, she authored Your Life in My Hands (2017), a memoir chronicling her journey as a newly qualified medical practitioner, and Dear Life (2020), which delves into themes of death, dying, and end-of-life care.
In addition to her medical and literary contributions, Dr. England has received recognition and support from her peers. For example, Beth Mead, a former England teammate, publicly expressed pride and admiration for her career on social media.
Her personal interests and background also reflect a deep understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and the importance of supportive environments in shaping career pathways, which aligns with her current focus on policy and advocacy within oral health.
The content is provided by Harper Eastwood, Lifelong Health Tips
