Mr Alan Parbhoo
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon; Service Lead - East of England TMJ Service
FRCS (OMFS Gold Medal), MBBS, BSc (Molecular Oncology) First, BDS
"The Spire philosophy is to provide staff and patients with a safe, harmonious and professional work environment. This allows excellence in patient care, as well as service development."
Specialises in
I have been a consultant since 2015 and started my medical training in 1995. I obtained my medical degree before passing my MRCS exam first time and then returning to dental school for my ‘second degree’. Maxillofacial surgeons are unique in that they hold both medical and dental degrees (are both qualified doctors and dentists). As part of my training I spent five years at one of the UK’s busiest trauma centres in East London. My training and experience from there still shapes some of my practice today. At the end of my higher surgical training I passed the FRCS (OMFS) exam and was awarded the Gold Medal (awarded to one trainee per year for the highest achievement in the exam - both written and clinical). I was then awarded a Royal College of Surgeons fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery where I was given further specialist training in cosmetic surgery of the face. I am an expert in managing TMJ disorders and facial growth problems.
I specialise in three main areas, but also treat all general oral, and oral and maxillofacial diseases/pathology.
- Disease or functional problems of the jaw joints (TMJ/TMJD). This includes the management of facial pain, hypermobility disorders, Ehlers-Danlos, arthritis, locking, clicking and dislocations of the joint
- Facial growth concerns. This includes unwanted appearances of the nose, teeth, chin as well as misalignment of the jaws or facial bones, facial asymmetry and abnormal bite
- Diagnosis and management of benign and cancerous skin lesions of the face. I am fully trained in dermoscopy, diagnosis, surgical and non-surgical treatment of facial skin cancers
I am Deputy Chair of the Skin Cancer Service at Bedford Hospital. This involves bringing new research to the MDT (multi-disciplinary team) and adjusting local cancer guidelines accordingly, as well as providing expert opinion on patient management.
I addition to my clinical work I have had a practical and research interest in patient safety for many years. In particular, I am interested in Human Factors including safety in the operating theatre and situational awareness. I am a qualified HF trainer and jointly run training courses for healthcare professionals.
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Alan Parbhoo at Spire include:
Cosmetic surgery
- Chemical skin peels
- Ear pinning (pinnaplasty)
- Eyelid surgery or eyebag removal (blepharoplasty)
- Jaw cyst removal
- Joint pain treatment (joint injections)
- Mole, cyst, wart and skin tag removal
- Neuralgia (nerve pain) treatment
- Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
- Scar revision
- Septoplasty surgery
- Wisdom teeth removal
Other treatments
- Jaw joint washout & arthroscopy
- Jaw joint resurfacing
- Jaw joint replacement
- Removal of teeth
- Removal of oral lesions
- Facial trauma
- Facial pain
- Salivary gland removal
- Facial deformity surgery
- Genioplasty
Get in touch
Important information about Covid-19 tests
Spire Harpenden Hospital is only able to provide Covid-19 tests to patients undergoing surgery at our hospital. Covid-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service.
Additional information
Clinical interests
Ears
Eyes
Face
Nose
Aesthetic dermatology
Skin cancer
Oral surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Facial surgery
Head and neck surgery
Maxillofacial surgery
Facial surgery
Maxillo-facial
Non-surgical cosmetic treatment
Oral surgery
Reconstructive surgery
Rhinology
Skin cancer
Soft tissue injuries
Connective tissue disease
Inflammatory rheumatic disorders
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Special clinical interests: Skin cancer surgery and facial skin reconstruction, TMJ (jaw joint disease), Facial deformity, Facial injuries and trauma, Salivary disease and surgery, Facial aesthetics (non-surgical and surgical), Facial skincare and Virtual surgical planning and patient specific facial implants.
Qualification and professional memberships
MBBS BSc / Royal Free & University College Medical School / 2001
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Medicine & Oncology (First)
MBBS is a dual medical degree. BSc is a basic science degree.
Professional memberships
British Medical Association (BMA)
British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS)
European Association of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery (EACMFS)
International Dermoscopy Society (IDS)
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng)
Professional leadership
TMJ Specialist Service (East of England)
Clinical Lead (Head of Department) Bedford Hospital
Deputy Chair of the Skin Cancer Service - Bedford Hospital
Educational Supervisor for Dental Core Trainees
Clinical Supervisor for Higher Surgical Trainees
Research and publications
Suction blister skin grafting - a modern application. Parbhoo AV, Simpson MT. BJ Oral Maxillofac Surg 2014; 52: 283–284.
Accessory infra-orbital nerves – an important anatomical lesson. Zarringhalam P, Parbhoo AV, Von Arx D. Face Mouth Jaw Surg. 2014; 4: 12-14. Runner up prize winner - case report of the year.
Anaesthetic management of common maxillofacial emergencies. Morosan M, Parbhoo AV, Curry N. Contin Ed Anaesth Crit Care Pain 2012.
Duane retraction syndrome mimicking an orbital fracture. Toledano S, Parbhoo AV, Von Arx DV. BJ Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011; 49(8):e76-8.
Review of Pertinent Papers Trauma 2006. Holmes S, Parbhoo A. BJ Oral Maxillofac Surg 2009; 47: 651-653.
Review of Pertinent Papers Trauma 2005. Holmes S, Parbhoo A. BJ Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008; 46: 167-169.
Review of Pertinent Papers Trauma 2004. Holmes S, Parbhoo A. BJ Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008; 46: 70-72.
Books
What They Didn’t Teach You At Medical School. Springer 2007. ISBN: 1846284619.
Challenging Concepts in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: The Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumour. Parbhoo AV, Simpson MT. Book chapter. Oxford University Press 2016. ISBN 9780199653553.
Posters
Over 20 posters presented at international conferences
Current NHS posts
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Bedfordshire Hospitals NHSFT
Clinical Lead in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics, Bedford Hospital
Service Lead for the East of England TMJ Service
Clinical Human Factors Trainer
Personal profile
I was born in London where I grew up. I supported myself through university (all three degrees) by working multiple jobs part-time.
I am a keen rock climber and cyclist and enjoy all outdoor pursuits, as do my wife and children. I spend a lot of time working in, on, or underneath cars and have done so since my late teens - initially through necessity and subsequently for pleasure.
Having had COVID and now living with some of the long term complications of this I am fully aware of how disempowering illness can be. My aim is to empower my patients with knowledge and solutions tailored for them.
Contact information
| thefacialsurgeon.me@gmail.com | |
| Private secretary | Mrs Caroline Hill |
| Private secretary telephone | 07537 875 137 |
| Private secretary email | caroline.hill19@btinternet.com |