Philip Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, is preparing to hand over the reins at the Dental AGM later this month to Dean Elect Grant McIntyre. Here, they meet up to discuss everything from future challenges for the Dental Faculty to strengthening international links.

Philip Taylor (PT): What do you think are the best attributes for a Dean of RCSEd’s Dental Faculty?

Grant McIntyre (GM): That’s an interesting question, particularly when posed by the current Dean! Being a leader across the profession is key to improving global oral health, and involving and encouraging both new and existing Members and Fellows in the work of the Faculty is also paramount.

PT: In the role that you’re about to take up, what do you see as the biggest challenge in the near future?

GM: On a personal level I would like to grow the Faculty locally and globally from our current 6% or so annually – I would like to see double-digit growth. The biggest challenge in achieving this is the need to increase resources to deliver our key objectives.

PT: Where do you think we sit as a Faculty within the College as a whole?

GM: You have done a huge job of making sure the Dental Faculty is heard and recognised by the wider College. We have come a long way in the last few years to be a key partner in many of the College’s principal activities, and it strikes me that Dental is not forgotten and often leads some College activities.

PT: Outside the College itself, where do you feel that the Faculty sits within the UK?

GM: The other Dental Faculties view us as the leading Faculty and you have done a huge amount of work in the last three years to position us very strategically at the helm at all of the meetings we attend as a Faculty.

PT: In a global context, we probably have to look at the world in zones. For Egypt/the Gulf states, for example, what are the biggest challenges for the Faculty?

GM: We have a rich history in the Middle East, Gulf states and Egypt. During our engagement visits to this region we hear constantly that these countries want more involvement with the College. We are seen to be a beacon of excellence and a pacesetter for standards.

Egypt is a fascinating country with a vast population. We are well placed as a College to engage in the wider educational and health developments going on. The Gulf region is a more mature health and education market, but is a key location for us because of accessibility.

PT: We have a strong foothold in the ASEAN region, particularly in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Where do you see opportunities in India and Sri Lanka?

GM: We have a rich footprint in Malaysia, and in the College there is an acknowledgement that dental has more Members and Fellows in Malaysia than the surgeons. The opportunity with Sri Lanka is to reinvigorate our historical links and we have an unmatched opportunity to engage with the Indian market. We have appointed a cohesive team of Dental Ambassadors in India, who are working on the fantastic possibilities for not only Faculty growth, but engagement with the wider dental community across the whole region to improve oral health.

PT: You have done a great deal to raise the profile of our International Ambassadors. How do you see that maturing over the next three years?

GM: That is a very kind comment and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of you as Dean, the Dental Executive, the Dental Council and, of course, the wider Faculty. We have been very fortunate that many Members have applied to be an Ambassador recently. When I meet new Ambassadors I am encouraged by the richness of their culture and their perspectives on dentistry. 

One of the key objectives of the Dental Faculty is to improve global oral health, and our ambassadors are our contact with our international communities and countries around the world, continually telling us what’s happening in each location.

PT: I’ve been incredibly well supported by a strong Dental Executive, which will hopefully continue into your reign. How do you see them supporting your ideas for developing the Faculty?

GM: The Dental Executive is a very cohesive group and we have been fortunate to have an extremely hard-working team. Each individual brings a different perspective and we have been able to bounce a great many ideas around, taking the good proposals to Dental Council to determine if they are worthy of development.

A good example is the International Dental Clinical Skills Competition, which will run in Kuala Lumpur for the first time this year. The Dental Council has to remain as the governing body for the Faculty and the Executive’s role is to be advisory and provide leadership, but at the same time ensure the Dental Council has the final say in every Faculty decision.

PT: You will be juggling this role alongside a full-time job. How do you think that will work out for you?

GM: It is always difficult to spin many plates. I am lucky to have a incredibly supportive employer, in relation to Faculty activities, unlike some of our Faculty Members and Fellows.

I intend to campaign for employer support for our Faculty as Dean. The work our Faculty delivers is crucial at all levels of postgraduate dental education and training, and we need to make sure that our Faculty is supported by employers to be able to undertake various roles and responsibilities.

I am also fortunate to have an amazing set of colleagues who have agreed to support me in undertaking this role by allowing me to lighten my clinical load to enable me to devote adequate time to Faculty and College work.

PT: We have the same problem for Dental Council. How do we keep Dental Council engaged and active in moving the Faculty forward?

GM: Our Council is a key component of the Dental Faculty overall. As Dean, you have done a fantastic job at encouraging everyone on Dental Council to take responsibility and for each Member to focus on a particular area of Faculty work.

It is my intention to continue this and to ensure Dental Council is engaged and driving the Faculty forward. We want to hear their views on appointment and indeed to keep on listening as they continue their journey as Dental Council Members.

PT: Thank you for your time, Grant, and good luck for the next three years as Dean.

GM: I would not be in the place I am today without the support of you personally and professionally, Phil, and I am grateful for all that you have done for the Faculty over the last three years.

It has been an incredibly challenging time for you to preside over our Faculty. Your first year was blighted by the first stage of COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns, and I still remember the welcome you gave me as I came back to my first Council meeting after being ill.

The welcome and engagement from the Dental Faculty is unique to our College. I look forward to taking our Faculty and College forwards over the next three years.