The group was formed by students at the London Hospital in Mile End in the 1970’s who shared a common background of financial hardship and a partiality for draft Guinness. ‘AOG’ was an acronym for ‘Asians on Guinness’.

As the group graduated, extended their contacts and became successful, they found it a wonderful organisation for social networking, peer review, organising bespoke courses, and later, great banquets. All activities led to a charitable contribution as a matter of habit. It was to put something back in gratitude for what they had received.

The AOG soon became a welcoming group and a magnet for like minded dentists, their staff and families. It grew, both in numbers and stature, attracting colleagues with a calling for giving.

Though there was a committee structure, there was no social hierarchy. As coincidence would have it, ‘aog’ in Hindi means ‘welcome’. Hence the AOG was no longer an acronym and now means simply that – ‘Welcome’.

Everyone is welcome and everyone is equal.
Its strap line is ‘Towards the Greater Good’.