UHNM consultant honoured in King’s Birthday Honours with MBE
A consultant at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to dentistry.
Dr Karen Juggins, Consultant Orthodontist at UHNM, has received the honour in recognition of her outstanding contribution to her specialty and for tackling health inequalities, particularly among children and young people.
Dr Juggins is widely respected for her clinical expertise and her role in delivering orthodontic care to patients across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire as part of a multi-disciplinary NHS team. Alongside her clinical work, she has led a pioneering public health movement through the “Keep Stoke Smiling” and “Keep Britain Smiling” campaigns.
What began as a local initiative has grown into a nationally recognised programme, bringing together healthcare, education and sport to engage young people and families in new and innovative ways. The work has focused on prevention, early intervention and education, helping to address oral health inequalities and ensuring that key messages reach those who need them most.
Today Dr Juggins said: “I am truly honoured and delighted to receive an MBE in The King's Birthday Honours for services to dentistry. As a Consultant Orthodontist, it is a real privilege to help transform the smiles and confidence of so many patients, while working alongside some truly exceptional colleagues. I am particularly proud that this honour also recognises the collective work behind the Keep Stoke Smiling campaign. By bringing together healthcare, schools, colleges, football clubs and local businesses across our community, we set out to show that improving young people's oral health requires more than traditional NHS campaigns alone.”
She added: “The success of the initiative belongs to the many people who were prepared to challenge convention, back a new approach and believe that communities themselves can become a force for change. Great progress is rarely made by standing still or always playing it safe. I believe we have shown that real positive change can grow from ordinary places when communities work together. Never underestimate a Stoke smile — or the people behind it.”
Chief Executive of UHNM, Dr Simon Constable, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Karen has been recognised with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. This is richly deserved and reflects not only her outstanding clinical expertise, but her passion, creativity and unwavering commitment to improving the health of children and young people.
“Karen has gone above and beyond her role, developing an approach that has had a transformational impact locally and nationally. She embodies the very best of the NHS, bringing together partners and communities to create lasting change, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.”
Dr Juggins’ work has received national recognition and continues to expand across the UK, supported by leading professional organisations and public health partners.
Her ability to combine clinical excellence with creativity, leadership and community engagement has helped improve confidence, wellbeing and opportunities for countless young people.