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
Sheffield
S10 2TA

Profile

Dr Atkins graduated from the University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield 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) Emulsion templated composites: Porous nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. 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) The MAGIC trial: a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel, noninferiority, randomised trial of melatonin versus midazolam in the premedication of anxious children attending for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. British Journal of Anaesthesia. View this article in WRRO
Rattanawonsakul K, Bullock G, Bolt R, Claeyssens F, Atkins S & Hearnden V (2022) In vitro effect of geranylgeraniol (GGOH) on bisphosphonate-induced cytotoxicity of oral mucosa cells. Frontiers in Oral Health, 3. View this article in WRRO
Mahmood H, Hoare J & Atkins S (2022) Chemical neurotoxicity to the inferior alveolar nerve — a rare sequela of endodontic treatment. Oral Surgery, 15(4), 663-668. View this article in WRRO
Atkins SJ & Kyriakidou E (2022) Response to letter regarding Clinical Outcomes of Nerve Repair. 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) The use of coronectomy to manage symptomatic mandibular third molars : techniques, pitfalls and suggested guidelines. Dental Update, 48(3), 217-223. View this article in WRRO
Atkins S & Kyriakidou E (2020) Clinical outcomes of lingual nerve repair. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Mahmood H, Stern M & Atkins S (2019) Inferior alveolar nerve anaesthesia : a rare complication of orthodontic tooth movement. Journal of Orthodontics, 46(4), 374-377. View this article in WRRO
Conville RM, Moriarty F & Atkins S (2019) The management of temporomandibular disorders: a headache in general practice. 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) Correlation of miRNA expression with intensity of neuropathic pain in man. Molecular Pain, 15. View this article in WRRO
Conville RM & Atkins S (2019) A curious case of cervicofacial actinomycosis following third molar surgery. Oral Surgery, 12(3), 238-242.
Badr M, Kyriakidou E, Atkins A & Harrison S (2017) Aggressive denosumab-related jaw necrosis – a case series. 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). View this article in WRRO
Kyriakidou E, Howe T, Veale B & Atkins S (2015) Sublingual dermoid cysts: case report and review of the literature. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 129(10), 1036-1039.
Kyriakidou E, Badr M, Harrison S & Atkins S (2015) Jaw problems: Update on ARONJ. 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) Treatment of the edentulous atrophic maxilla using zygomatic implants: evaluation of survival rates over 5-10 years. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Bolt R, Yates J, Brook I, Bakri I, Atkins S & El-Awa A (2012) Zygomatic implants—a 5 year survival analysis. 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) Histomorphometric changes in repaired mouse sciatic nerves are unaffected by the application of a scar-reducing agent.. J Anat, 219(5), 638-645.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) The effect of Mannose-6-Phosphate on recovery after sciatic nerve repair.. Brain Res, 1394, 40-48.
Ngeow WC, Atkins S, Morgan CR, Metcalfe AD, Boissonade FM, Loescher AR & Robinson PP (2011) A comparison between the effects of three potential scar-reducing agents applied at a site of sciatic nerve repair.. Neuroscience, 181, 271-277.
Khurram SA, Atkins S, Smith KG & Yates JM (2011) A multidisciplinary approach to management of extensive facial injuries resulting from the use of an angle grinder. Injury Extra, 42(7), 75-78. View this article in WRRO
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) A comparison between the effects of three potential scar-reducing agents applied at a site of sciatic nerve repair. Neuroscience, 181, 271-277.
Atkins S, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, Smith KG, Occleston N, O'Kane S, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2007) Interleukin-10 reduces scarring and enhances regeneration at a site of sciatic nerve repair.. J Peripher Nerv Syst, 12(4), 269-276.
Atkins S, Smith KG, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2006) The effect of antibodies to TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 at a site of sciatic nerve repair.. J Peripher Nerv Syst, 11(4), 286-293.
Atkins S, Smith KG, Loescher AR, Boissonade FM, O'Kane S, Ferguson MWJ & Robinson PP (2006) Scarring impedes regeneration at sites of peripheral nerve repair.. Neuroreport, 17(12), 1245-1249.
Robinson P, Smith K, Loescher A, Boissonade F, Atkins S & Ferguson M (2004) Animal pain models. 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 () The effectiveness of bone anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) in the management of class III skeletal malocclusion in children aged 11–14 years compared with an untreated control group: A multicentre two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial. 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 Sheffield 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

Sheffield 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 Sheffield, 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.