About
I graduated from Jordan in 1997 with a BDS and completed my PhD from Queens University Belfast. I joined the University of Liverpool in 2003, where I completed Endodontic and Restorative specialist training. I am a professor of Restorative Dentistry and Honorary consultant. I am also the Restorative academic lead for the UG BDS programme and the Post graduate programmes director
Teaching
I developed the DDSc programme and introduced three new pathways in Endodontics, Special care dentistry and Paediatric dentistry through the UOL quality assurance structure. I developed the programme and modules specification and mapped the DDSc curriculum to the GDC speciality curricula. I have developed and integrated dental implant training into the doctorate PG Endodontic programme and led the running of an implant service for our PGs.
I have led the changes to the DDSc programme Endodontic pathway to deliver the assessment requirement of the conjoint examination of the RCS Ed examination and DDSc. I participated in the periodic review and provided evidence for the DDSc PG programme. I was commended in the report on the development and innovation of the DDSc programme.
I have established a collaboration with the Computer Science department to development an endodontic complexity application for use on clinic for UG/PG teaching and for GDP. This project received funding from the European Endodontic Society.
I helped to develop and implement work-based assessments into the BDS (and DDSc) programmes with Restorative Dentistry being the bulk of student experience in the programme and therefore the area most in need of continuous monitoring and developmental feedback.
Research /Scholarship
My current research is dedicated to improving patients’ outcomes when delivering dental care. I am the PI and co-investigator on three NIHR trials to investigate pulpotomy vs root canal treatment in secondary care and primary care settings and delivering prevention intervention through motivation interviews in general dental practice. These grants are a result of national collaboration between Liverpool, Manchester, King College London, Queen Mary, Belfast, Dundee, Glasgow, Leeds, and Sheffield
My research is focused on endodontic management strategies, which benefit patients. I am interested in the effects of ageing, infection and biomaterials on dento alveolar structure and the role of stem cell, ECM and proteomics on regeneration. I have published and co-authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications alongside peer-reviewing a number of Dental Journal articles
I have fostered multiple collaborations with the Systematic Review Group Clinical Engineering, Musculoskeletal and Biostatistics. I have research and teaching collaborations with a number of industry partners, and I have supervised 3 PhDs and 15 DDSc projects. I am also currently supervising 10 doctorate projects at various stages as part of the DDSc.
I am a member of the Restorative specialty advisory board of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. I am a MEndo exam bank manager and MEndo/Pros/Perio examiner. I sit on the Specialty Advisory Committee SAC, where, alongside my colleagues, I have taken a leading role in developing the UK Endodontic Postgraduate curriculum in response to the GDC curriculum review. I am the chair of the education and scholarship committee of the European Society of Endodontology and a member of the ESE executive board. I am also a fellow of the International Team of Implantology and Higher Education Academy.
Clinical services
In my clinical role I have been leading quality improvement projects and conducting many audits and service evaluations in endodontics and Restorative dentistry. I developed and currently run, multi-disciplinary Restorative/ Oral Surgery/Paediatric dentistry and Orthodontics clinics in two hospitals for the benefit of both patients and PGs as well as leading the development of an adult dental trauma service and transitional service for young people. I am the co-director and owner of Sandstone Dental Practice and I maintain a specialist private practice focusing on Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry in the Wirral peninsula.
Knowledge Exchange /Esteem
My role as a member of the SAB in Restorative RCS Edinburgh and SAC in Restorative dentistry allow me to have a wider influence on the direction of the specialty. I have been an examiner for Royal College examinations for over 10 years and I am now the Endodontic bank manager for the RCS Ed MEndo exam. I hold several external examinerships in both the UK and overseas. I have been providing PG CPD courses to GDPs and specialist trainees for many years. I have also developed a national course for Endodontics in children attended by consultants and specialists for the last 3 years.
Administration
I am the PG programmes director of the management group, a member of the School Board of Studies, UG Management Group, Research committee and the Dental School Senior Management Team. I am also member of the faculty post graduate research committee and the University PGT committee. I am the academic lead for Restorative Dentistry for the UG programme.
Future intentions
Whilst in Liverpool I have built a national and international reputation in Endodontology. My academic work has allowed me to establish a world-class postgraduate programme recognised nationally and around Europe. As Chair in Restorative Dentistry, I encourage a philosophy that values and promotes research and teaching equally to enhance the reputation of the University. I aim to ensure that teaching is research-connected by integrating evidence-based knowledge and critical thinking into daily learning.
My vision is to lead innovation in teaching across both undergraduate and postgraduate dental programmes by integrating teaching across pathways that allow greater flexibility for our students, and workforce planning, in Dentistry. This will be achieved through developing UG & PG programmes that have spiral curricula with different entry and exits levels. I aspire to enhance the students’ learning experience through longitudinal feedback, reflection and programmatic assessment, to help students to identify risks and challenges, self-assess capability and develop resilience. Additionally, the use of technology enhanced learning in dental education is evolving rapidly and we need to ensure that we explore new avenues that allow us to enrich our students’ learning experience. This can be achieved by developing teaching strategies that embrace new technologies and that can support the learning of the new generation.
Prizes or Honours
- FDS RCS Rest (Ed, 2011)
- MRD Endodontics (RCS Ed, 2009)