The Dental Schools Council has elected Professor Kirsty Hill as its new Chair

The Dental Schools Council, which represents dental schools across the UK and Ireland, has elected Professor Kirsty Hill as its new Chair.

Professor Hill is Head of School for the School of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham. Professor Hill joined the School of Dentistry in 1999 working on the National Evaluation of Personal Dental Services, later becoming Head of Education and Programme Lead for Dentistry. She has over two decades of experience in dental education, and research in dental public health, dental epidemiology and behavioural science.

Professor Hill is an advocate for digital learning in curriculums and embracing innovative techniques to train the next generation of digital surgeons. She has been working to increase clinical exposure for students in the early years of education.

On her new role, Professor Hill said:

“I am delighted to be taking over the position of Chair. I would like to thank my predecessor Professor Chris Tredwin for his enormous hard work and dedication in supporting and advocating for dental schools throughout the pandemic.
Over the last decade, the quality of teaching and training of dental students has improved, with new advancements and innovations embedded into curriculums. We must, however, ensure that these high standards are maintained and communicated, so that dental schools continue to be an important voice on the future of public dental health. Sharing best practice and working together to address common opportunities and challenges is essential to ensure our graduates are effectively equipped to tackle the changing oral health needs of the population.

There are still many financial and operational challenges ahead with pressures leftover from Brexit and Covid-19. If the UK is to remain a leading hub in dental education, it must invest in more research and incentivise careers in clinical academia. Dental schools must come together as a collective authority to inform government and policy-makers so they can continue to deliver world leading dental education and research.”

Professor Hill succeeds Professor Chris Tredwin, Head of Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, who said:

“I am thrilled to welcome Kirsty as the next chair of the Dental Schools Council, and I am confident she will do an excellent and effective job leading dental schools in this challenging time. My time as chair has been a memorable experience and I am proud of all that the Dental Schools Council has achieved, particularly during the global pandemic. I look forward to the leadership and experience that Kirsty will bring.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

1. The Dental Schools Council is the authoritative voice of the dental schools within universities across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its Chief Executive is Dr Katie Petty-Saphon. For further information about the work of the Dental Schools Council please see www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk.
2. For more information on this press release, please contact Flora Meadmore at flora.meadmore@medschools.ac.uk