New Head of School of Dentistry

Professor Paul Coulthard has been appointed as the new Head of School of Dentistry at The University of Manchester Dental School. Professor Coulthard began his role this month (August) succeeding Professor Iain Mackie who completed a four-year term of office.

Professor Coulthard said his mission would be to maintain the School’s premier position in the UK and to develop its teaching and research success still further. This will include expanding the School’s postgraduate taught programmes.

Professor Coulthard said: “The School is in excellent shape with an outstanding reputation for undergraduate and postgraduate education and a strong research profile. We will continue to deliver teaching and learning using contemporary and innovative methodology to produce caring health care professionals who are of the highest calibre.

“The impact of the School’s research will increase and the School will be recognised for evidence-based practice in patient care and teaching and learning. The School’s Basic Science and Health Sciences research will contribute to improvement in global Oral and Craniofacial Health. The School will further develop strategic alliances building on its research collaborations and industrial partnerships.”

Professor Coulthard is Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Manchester and Consultant in Oral Surgery at Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust and his appointment as an internal candidate follows an extensive international search.

Alongside surgical training, Professor Coulthard undertook research training leading to the award of an MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a PhD in Neuroscience. He is a BAOS Council Member and Editor in Chief of Oral Surgery. He is also an Editor with the Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health Group and is on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Surgery and Chinese Journal for Clinicians. He has a special interest in the Control of Pain and Anxiety and Dental Implantology and has published over 140 scientific papers. A new edition of his popular textbook ‘Master Dentistry’ was published in May 2013.

He was a Member of the NHS Commissioning Board Dental Commissioning Framework Task Group 2012/13 responsible for developing the overarching framework to support the transfer of responsibilities to the Commissioning Board of all primary and secondary care dental services from PCTs and publishing Securing excellence in commissioning NHS dental services.

Notes for editors

For more information or to request an interview with Professor Paul Coulthard, please contact:
Alison Barbuti
Media Relations Officer, University of Manchester
T: +44 (0)161 275 8383
E: alison.barbuti@manchester.ac.uk