A dental academic and clinician from the University of Plymouth has been named as one of the most influential people in the dental profession.
Professor Liz Kay MBE, Foundation Dean Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, has been ranked seventh in the Dentistry Top 50 most influential people published today, 9 May 2017.
Professor Kay comes in one place behind Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and above the Prime Minister Theresa May, who is ranked 10th.
Speaking of her ranking Professor Kay commented:
“I am overwhelmed by this news and my thanks go to everyone who contributed to this amazing ranking. In my mind it is not just about me, but also the fantastic people I work with at the University, in clinic and beyond.”Professor Chris Tredwin, Head of Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, added:
“Our congratulations go to Liz for this superb achievement – it is a true reflection of her influential and respected position in the profession.”Professor Kay led the development and implementation of the Peninsula Dental School (the first new dental school in the UK for 40 years) which currently ranks second out of the 15 dental schools in the country (Guardian league table 2017).
Her focus on primary care within dental education is internationally renowned. Her advice on dental education is often sought and highly respected. She is an inspiring clinical teacher and highly evaluated by students.
As an academic she is highly productive (over 150 papers and six books, with £1.5 million of research funding). Her research is of the highest standard and through this and also through her multiple external roles she influences policy in dental public health at regional and national level.
After setting up Peninsula Dental School, Professor Kay devised and developed an MBA in Healthcare in partnership with Plymouth University Business School. It is the first in UK to be taught via blended and distributed learning, and the dissertation projects are based on healthcare improvement in the student’s own healthcare organisation, thereby giving a practical benefit to the student’s sponsor.
She works tirelessly to support others through editorial boards, journal refereeing and higher degree supervision. She is in great demand by external bodies (national and international) and works extensively with industry from which she passes all fee income to the support of research degree students rather than retaining it personally.
Her advocacy for women within higher education brings on the next generation of clinical educators and leaders. She pursues this work nationally, regionally and within Plymouth University where she sits on the University Athena Swan Committee and leads the PUPSMD Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team which recently achieved the prestigious Silver Award.
Her achievements have been recognised with a Fellowship Ad Eundem from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), awarded in 2011 “as a mark of the contribution you have made to the profession. It is obvious for all to see that you have an exceptional enthusiasm for your profession, and a willingness to help others along their chosen path. Your tireless work and support for the dental practitioners to provide an improved quality of care for their patients is well known.”
Professor Kay holds a Mature Educator Certificate for Excellence in Dental Education awarded by the Association for Dental Education in Europe 2011.
She supports the NHS and dental public health as a (Shadow) Governor for Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, as Associate Non-Executive Director of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and as Topic Expert to the NICE Public Health Advisory Committee.
She is a specialist committee member on the oral health promotion in care homes and hospitals Quality Standards Advisory Committee at NICE. She is Trustee of the British Dental Health Foundation and Chair of the Shirley Glasstone Hughes Foundation Management Committee, which oversees the commissioning of funded research in dentistry.
Professor Kay works for women as a member of the Equality Challenge Unit’s Athena Swan Medical Practice committee on its judging panels, and for students as Trustee and Vice Chair of the British Medical and Dental Students’ Trust.