Leonard gained his BDS from Queen’s University Belfast in 2014, with Degree Plus.

Prior to this, he ranked 1^st in the UK in Dental Foundation Training out of over 1200 applicants in 2014. 

Since that time, he has spent a significant amount of time working clinically and studying at weekends and evenings.

He gained his MFDS exams with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and has also be awarded Membership to the Faculty of Dental Trainers with the Royal College as well.

He is also a Member of the Faculty of General Dental Practice with the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

He holds a Master of Business Administration with the University of Liverpool and a further Master of Law in Medical Law and Ethics from the University of Edinburgh.

Having been awarded an Associate Fellowship with the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management and an Associate Member of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 

He also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Dundee.

Furthermore, he is a Chartered Manager and Member of the Chartered Management Institute.

He now divides his time between “wet-fingered” dentistry as a General Dental Surgeon, mentoring and coaching GDPs, and as Operations Director within his family owned group of 8 General Dental Practices in Northern Ireland. 

GDC No: 250765

BDS MDTFEd RCSEd FFGDP(UK)

Derek qualified with his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Queen’s University Belfast in 1987. 

Having been awarded Membership to the Faculty of Dental Trainers with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MDTFEd RCSEd) in 2017 and also sits on their Executive Committee. 

Derek also holds a Fellowship with the Faculty of General Dental Practice through the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FFGDP) and acts as Facilitator and Assessor for those hoping to gain Fellowship with the College.

Derek is the Principal Dentist and owner of DJ Maguire & Associates Ltd, his General Dental Practice group, which he founded in 1989.  It has grown to some 40 Associate Dentists and additional staff who provide their services to approximately 45,400 NHS registered patients, across 8 separate sites in Northern Ireland. 

Other roles held by Derek include Chair of Dental Committee in the Business Services Organization, a Dental Adviser with the Health and Social Care Board and a Non-Executive Member of the Board of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental training Agency (NIMDTA).

GDC No: 62393