Ian Mills, Fellow at Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, has been elected as the next Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP(UK)).
Ian is a partner at Torrington Dental Practice in North Devon and currently senior Vice-Dean of FGDP (UK), and will be inaugurated as Dean on 15 June 2018, taking over from Dr Mick Horton.
In 2010, Ian was appointed as the first Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) at the Peninsula School of Dentistry and has been closely involved in the undergraduate programme as a clinical supervisor, group facilitator and honorary lecturer.
He qualified as a dentist from Glasgow University in 1987 and spent the early part of his career working in maxillofacial surgery.
He is actively involved in promoting and developing research in primary dental care, with particular interests in measuring quality outcomes, person-centred care and environmental sustainability. Last year, as part of a group of studies carried out at his own practice in collaboration with Peninsula Dental School, he co-authored a high profile study into the effectiveness of different virtual reality environments at easing the pain of routine dental treatments.
As part of his role at the University, he has been undertaking a part-time PhD and recently submitted his doctoral thesis, ‘The delivery of person-centred care in general dental practice’.
Ian said:
“It will be an enormous privilege to lead the UK’s only professional body dedicated to general dental practice through a crucial period in its history. I thank my colleagues for the faith they have placed in me, and look forward to working with them in delivering GDP-focused education, guidance and representation over the next three years.”
Professor Christopher Tredwin, Head of the Peninsula School of Dentistry, said:
“We are delighted for Ian – this is such a prestigious and well deserved appointment. Ian’s passion for, and contribution to, our development as a school has been invaluable, and I am sure he use his wide expertise from his role as Vice-Dean to excel in his new role.”Dr Mick Horton, Dean of FGDP(UK), said:
“Many congratulations to Ian on his well-deserved election as Dean. He is a highly experienced, respected and rounded practitioner, and I’m delighted the Faculty will be in such good hands.”