It’s been a year since I became Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and I want to update you on what has been going on in the College throughout 2021. Much has taken place on the Dental side of the College, and I am happy to report that many of my manifesto promises have been fulfilled this year.
A regular Thursday evening webinar slot for the Faculty of Dental Trainers was secured and proved highly popular with listeners from around the world. Inspired by this, the Faculty took the bold step to host the first ever RCS Edinburgh World Dental Conference in September. The feedback was superb, and the quality of presentations throughout the conference was exceptional. As Dean, I have also represented the Faculty’s lecturing online for the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, the Commonwealth Dental Association, the Sri Lankan Dental Association, the Scottish Dental Association and the Aga Khan University, in Karachi, Pakistan throughout 2021.
It has been a very difficult year for examinations, as the College sought to balance providing diets during the pandemic whilst also maintaining the highest level of quality assurance. The biggest change was the provision of online examinations, which increased accessibility particularly for overseas candidates and the reduction in travel during Covid-19. Going forward, we look to maintain our physical presence when it comes to the provision of examinations and courses, whilst also looking at how we can maintain and improve our online offerings as well. More information to come on this exciting development.
New places to examine include Bahrain, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Sudan and Guyana. We have cemented close links with influential societies within the UK. Already we host the British Society of Oral Surgery within the College and now have memorandum of agreements with the British Society of Gerodontology, with the Scottish Dental Association, SAAD (the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry) and with the ‘Deciduous’ group of early years dentists. We are in discussion with other groups to widen our influence across dentistry.
This year we joined the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. At my very first meeting I was able to secure a promise from the National Medical Director, Professor Steven Powis, and the new Chief Executive for NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, that they will fully support the fluoridation of the water supplies in the UK: another manifesto aim.
Looking ahead, next year celebrates the fortieth year of the Dental Faculty in Edinburgh, and we are already planning a big celebration over three days in October when we can bring together as many of you as possible to the College. There will also be a special Dental focus in the September edition of Surgeons’ News in celebration of this.
2022 will be an exciting year for the College, and I am looking forward to what is to come particularly on the Dental front.
Wishing you all a prosperous and healthy 2022,
Professor Philip Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery