Atkins, Simon, Dr

Dr Simon Atkins

BDS, MFDS RCS, PhD, FDS RCS

School of Clinical Dentistry

Senior Clinical Lecturer

Consultant Oral Surgeon

s.atkins@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9371

19 Claremont Crescent

Full contact details

Dr Simon Atkins
School of Clinical Dentistry
19 Claremont Crescent
91ֱ��
S10 2TA

Profile

Dr Atkins graduated from the University of 91ֱ�� in 1999. Following this he undertook several hospital posts in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, during which he gained his MFDS fellowship exam at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

He was successful in being awarded a Clinical Research Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust, and gained his PhD in the field of peripheral nerve repair in 2008, during which time he was awarded the prestigious Senior Colgate Award for research into nerve regeneration. He was appointed at the University of 91ֱ�� as a Clinical Lecturer/Honorary Specialist Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and completed his higher surgical training (ACCOMS) in 2012. Following this he was appointed as Senior Clinical Lecturer/Consultant Oral Surgeon.

Research interests

Dr Atkins primary research interest relates to the mechanisms surrounding regeneration following peripheral nerve repair, and the development of agents to improve recovery. He is a member of the Integrated Bioscience research group, University of 91ֱ�� and has a specialist interest in neural regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injuries are common; it is estimated that there are 300,000 peripheral nerve injuries per year in Europe (1/1000 population). In 2012/13, over 65,000 operations involving release/or repair of peripheral nerves were undertaken in England in the NHS (www.hsic.gov.uk). These injuries result in loss of sensory and/or motor function, and some patients develop chronic neuropathic pain. The management of nerve injury induced pain (dysaesthesia) is unsatisfactory and new therapeutic methods based on a better understanding of the aetiology are needed.

The role of inflammatory cytokines in the initiation of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve repair:

This project investigates whether modification of the inflammatory cytokine profile at a site of peripheral nerve repair reduces ectopic neural discharge, and will hence reduce or prevent the development of neuropathic pain. This translational research will clarify the peripheral and central mechanisms underlying injury-induced neuropathic pain, and help identify potential therapeutic approaches.

The role of anti-scarring agents on regeneration following nerve trauma and repair:

This translational research is investigating the effect of scar reducing agents on functional regeneration following peripheral nerve injury and repair with the aim of delivering a clinically effective agent.

A visual representation of trigeminal nerve repair

Publications

Journal articles

D. V. Johnson L, Aleemardani M, Atkins S, Boissonade FM & Claeyssens F (2024) . Materials & Design, 239, 112779-112779.
Bolt R, Hyslop MC, Herbert E, Papaioannou DE, Totton N, Wilson MJ, Clarkson J, Evans C, Ireland N, Kettle J , Marshman Z et al (2023) . British Journal of Anaesthesia.
Rattanawonsakul K, Bullock G, Bolt R, Claeyssens F, Atkins S & Hearnden V (2022) . Frontiers in Oral Health, 3.
Mahmood H, Hoare J & Atkins S (2022) . Oral Surgery, 15(4), 663-668.
Atkins SJ & Kyriakidou E (2022) . British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 60(1), 96-96.
Bolt R, Hirani M, Kyriakidou E, El-Awa A, Atkins S & Shah P (2021) . Dental Update, 48(3), 217-223.
Atkins S & Kyriakidou E (2020) . British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Mahmood H, Stern M & Atkins S (2019) . Journal of Orthodontics, 46(4), 374-377.
Conville RM, Moriarty F & Atkins S (2019) . British Journal of General Practice, 69(687), 523-524.
Tavares-Ferreira D, Lawless N, Bird E, Atkins S, Collier D, Sher E, Malki K, Lambert D & Boissonade F (2019) . Molecular Pain, 15.
Conville RM & Atkins S (2019) . Oral Surgery, 12(3), 238-242.
Badr M, Kyriakidou E, Atkins A & Harrison S (2017) . British Dental Journal, 223(1), 13-16.
Kyriakidou E, Badr M, Atkins S & Harrison S (2016) Denosumab-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw; A case series and literature review. British Journal of Medical Practitioners, 9(4).
Kyriakidou E, Howe T, Veale B & Atkins S (2015) . The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 129(10), 1036-1039.
Kyriakidou E, Badr M, Harrison S & Atkins S (2015) . British Dental Journal, 218(12), 662-663.
Yates JM, Brook IM, Atkins SA, El-Awa A, Bakri I, Bolt R, Patel RR & Wragg PF (2013) . International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Bolt R, Yates J, Brook I, Bakri I, Atkins S & El-Awa A (2012) . British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 50, S49-S50.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) . J Anat, 219(5), 638-645.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) . Brain Res, 1394, 40-48.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) . Neuroscience, 181, 271-277.
Khurram SA, Atkins S, Smith KG & Yates JM (2011) . Injury Extra, 42(7), 75-78.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) Histomorphometric changes in repaired mouse sciatic nerves are unaffected by the application of a scar-reducing agent. Journal of Anatomy.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) . Neuroscience, 181, 271-277.
Atkins S, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, Smith KG, Occleston N, O'Kane S, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2007) . J Peripher Nerv Syst, 12(4), 269-276.
Atkins S, Smith KG, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2006) . J Peripher Nerv Syst, 11(4), 286-293.
Atkins S, Smith KG, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, O'Kane S, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2006) . Neuroreport, 17(12), 1245-1249.
Robinson P, Smith K, Loescher A, Boissonade F, Atkins S & Ferguson M (2004) . The Journal of Pain, 5(3), S17-S17.
Mandall N, Aleid W, Cousley R, Curran E, Caldwell S, DiBiase A, Dyer F, Littlewood S, Nute S, Campbell SJ , Atkins S et al () . Journal of Orthodontics.

Conference proceedings papers

Rattanawonsakul K, Bullock G, Workman V, Bolt R, Claeyssens F, Atkins S & Hearnden V (2023) Platelet-rich fibrin prevents the toxicity of Pamidronate on oral fibroblasts. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Rattanawonsakul K, Bullock G, Workman V, Bolt R, Claeyssens F, Atkins S & Hearnden V (2023) THE BIOACTIVITY OF PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN CONDITIONED MEDIUM ON ZOLEDRONATE-INDUCED ORAL KERATINOCYTE TOXICITY IN VITRO. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(11-12) (pp 1276-1277)
Rattanawonsakul K, Bullock G, Workman V, Bolt R, Claeyssens F, Atkins S & Hearnden V (2023) Platelet-rich fibrin prevents the toxicity of Pamidronate on oral fibroblasts. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Hobbi SM, Atkins S, Claeyssens F, Haycock J & Boissonade F (2022) THE INCORPORATION OF A NATIVE-LIKE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX IN NERVE GUIDE CONDUITS FOR PERIPHERAL NERVE REPAIR. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S376-S376)

Teaching activities: Dr. Atkins is significantly involved in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and holds a senior position within the teaching curriculum; being Theme Lead for IODC. He also teaches on postgraduate courses in Implantology and Oral Surgery for General Dental Practitioners.

Professional activities and memberships

Regional Specialty Advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons.
Member of the Board of Examiners for the tri-collegiate MOral Surg Examination, Royal College of Surgeons
External Examiner for Oral Surgery, Edinburgh Dental Institute
He is also a reviewer for several scientific journals, and presents at both national and international scientific meetings, on the subject of peripheral nerve injury and repair

Clincal

Dr Atkins provides the major clinical input to maintain 91ֱ�� as a leading internationally renowned specialist centre for nerve repair and exploration. He is an expert in the surgical management of trigeminal nerve injuries.
Other interests include: facial deformity, implantology, tissue augmentation, and paediatric surgery

Lingual and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries

The lingual nerve, which supplies feeling to the tongue and floor of mouth, and the inferior alveolar nerve which supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin, are frequently injured during the removal of impacted wisdom teeth, and may also occur during orthognathic surgery or as a result of facial fractures. Injury to these nerves often results in numbness of the tongue and lower lip, and/or painful dysaesthesia. As a result of this many patients are left with debilitating sensory deficits, which can cause difficulty with speech and mastication.

Microsurgical Repair

91ֱ�� has an international reputation as a centre for the clinical management of patients with lingual and inferior alveolar nerve injuries, undertaking microsurgical repair of these damaged nerves. A prospective, quantitative assessment of the outcome of lingual nerve repair undertaken at 91ֱ��, is the largest published single-centre series in the world literature. It has revealed that, although the outcome is variable, there is a highly significant improvement in the majority, and patients consider the surgery worthwhile.