Southampton dental surgeon gives refugees a reason to smile
A Southampton oral surgeon is using his expertise from working at a local hospital to bring life-changing dental support and training to refugees and dentists in Bangladesh during voluntary missions with the Refugee Crisis Foundation charity.
“The work that Antonio and his team do here in Hampshire is vital to support the NHS and help patients with complex oral and dental surgery needs that can’t be managed by dental practises and help to reduce waiting times for patients across the county.”
John Crisp, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton
Antonio Gagliardi Lugo, 39, who has been working as an oral consultant at Practice Plus Group Hospital Southampton for five years, recently travelled to Cox’s Bazar – home to the world’s largest refugee camp – to provide direct care to patients while mentoring local dentists working in the camps.
On his latest trip to Bangladesh, he joined a small team of three dentists, two assistants and a driver, transporting essential dental equipment to the clinics. Over three visits to local dental clinics, the team treated patients with extractions, oral cancer screening, topical application of fluoride and preventative dental care.
“In Bangladesh I was both supervising the dentists and treating patients myself,” Antonio explained. “We were seeing around 90 patients a day. A big part of my role was encouraging local dentists to carry out oral cancer screenings, especially as chewing tobacco products are so common in the refugee community. We found patients with very suspicious lesions – at least two of them could have been cancer.”
Antonio first connected with the charity through its CEO, Khaleda Zaheer, who had previously worked as a junior doctor at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton. “We had the pleasure of having her in our hospital, and she invited me to support the organisation to share my skills and support with mentoring dentists overseas,” Antonio said. The camp, which is home to nearly three million people displaced from Myanmar, relies on the Foundation as its only provider of dental care, operating two fixed clinics and a mobile service. The Foundation’s work is fully aligned with the World Health Organisation’s Oral Health Plan 2022–2030, aiming not only to deliver treatment but also to create long-term improvements in oral health. Following this recent mission, the team recommended collecting and comparing patient data over time, training local staff to manage oral and maxillofacial emergencies, and improving emergency equipment and preparedness.
“We were seeing around 90 patients a day. A big part of my role was encouraging local dentists to carry out oral cancer screenings, especially as chewing tobacco products are so common in the refugee community. We found patients with very suspicious lesions – at least two of them could have been cancer.”
Antonio Gagliardi Lugo, Dental consultant at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton
For Antonio, the mission was not only about treatment but also about building skills. “We’re trying to leave a legacy by mentoring dentists, giving them the confidence to manage complex cases and encouraging them to keep improving. Since returning, I’ve already had two online governance and case-discussion meetings with colleagues in Bangladesh – the connection continues. It is a small grain of sand in a larger problem, but I am proud to play my part by volunteering.”
This passion for training reflects Antonio’s work at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, which treats both NHS and private patients for specialised, complex oral and dental surgery including extractions, biopsies, and oral cancer screenings. Alongside fellow oral surgeons Adel Elrasheed, Gemma Burrows and Rosario Mela. He also helps with Dental Core Training, a national scheme for newly qualified dentists delivered in partnership with Health Education England, Thames Valley and Wessex Deanery. Southampton is the only UK centre offering sedation training under consultant supervision. Antonio and Adel with support from anaesthetist Dr Geoffrey Higenbottam, help deliver a dedicated sedation teaching day, providing both hands-on clinical training with patients and academic teaching sessions.
“For the last six years we’ve taken on junior dentists through Dental Core Training,” Antonio said. “We train them in oral surgery and sedation. It makes us proud to see dentists come here straight after graduation and leave more confident and capable. The more we train people, the stronger the dental service becomes – whether that’s here in Southampton or in Bangladesh.”
Originally from Venezuela, Antonio built his career in oral surgery after moving to the UK. To support himself while validating his dental qualifications, he worked shifts at McDonald’s before moving into hospital dentistry and specialising in oral surgery. His background gives him an added sense of empathy: “I’m some sort of refugee myself. My entry point was different, but I know how important it is to get a chance and have access to healthcare.”
“For me, the biggest difference is not just the treatment, but the knowledge we leave behind – that’s what builds a stronger future for patients everywhere.”
Antonio Gagliardi Lugo, Dental consultant at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton
Volunteering is a personal commitment for Antonio, who uses part of his annual leave for humanitarian work. “Most people think this type of work means going into a war zone. Yes, it’s not ideal, but you get something out of it that you don’t get anywhere else. I enjoy travelling, meeting new people and connecting with different cultures. You feel re-energised because you’re making a difference. For me, the biggest difference is not just the treatment, but the knowledge we leave behind – that’s what builds a stronger future for patients everywhere.”
Hospital Director, John Crisp, adds: “The work that Antonio and his team do here in Hampshire is vital to support the NHS and help patients with complex oral and dental surgery needs that can’t be managed by dental practises and help to reduce waiting times for patients across the county. It’s remarkable that he is so passionate about mentoring both newly qualified dentists in Hampshire as part of our work here at Practice Plus Group, as well as volunteering his services with Refugee Crisis Foundation in his spare time. We know that his work is making a big impact on people’s lives and we are proud to support his endeavours as everyone should be able to access timely, pain and infection-free oral and dental health.”
Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton treats private and NHS patients and has shorter than average waiting times for a range of conditions including oral and dental surgery, hip and knee surgery, hernia, cataracts, endoscopy, urology and colorectal surgery.
