A unique move to develop research collaboration between the University's Dental School, the Dental School at Cardiff University and the Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth is to be launched and discussed at a research symposium in Devon on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 November.
It is the first time in the UK that three dental schools will come together formally to discuss being proactive about joint research opportunities.
The objective of the collaboration is to use and combine the complementary talents and skills found in the three schools so that major research funding can be attracted to South Wales and the West Country.
Developing top-class research in the region will ensure local dental patients benefit from the highest standards of care and enhance the region’s international reputation for quality and excellence in dental research.
Speaking ahead of the event, Professor Jonathan Sandy, Head of Bristol Dental School, said:
‘This is an important collaborative research meeting to explore the possibilities of increasing research opportunities. There is now a realization that schools need to collaborate to maximize their research potential. The three dental schools cover an area which accounts for 10 per cent of the UK population which should enable 'bench-to-bedside-to-bench' research in basic and population sciences.’Professor Liz Kay, Dean at the Peninsula Dental School, added:
‘We are delighted to be hosting the first collaborative symposium between the Peninsula Dental School and the dental schools at the University of Bristol and the University of Cardiff. We firmly believe that, between the three institutions, we have the knowledge, skills and expertise that can make South Wales and the West Country an international centre for dental research of the highest quality. We look forward to developing sustainable and lasting research relationships that will truly contribute to the science of dentistry, and the dental health of patients in our region and around the world.’
Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Dean of the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University said:
‘Developing research that impacts patients locally, regionally and globally depends on the sharing of knowledge across the profession to advance treatments that produce real results for patients. The School of Dentistry is the only one of its type in Wales, providing unique and important leadership in dental research, teaching and patient care, and we are very excited to be able to be part of this symposium which is the start of strengthening research collaborations across the three institutions.’The first South West & Wales Dental Schools’ Research Symposium will take place at the Thurlestone Hotel in South Devon. The keynote address will be given by Professor Bill Shaw, Professor in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Development at the University of Manchester, followed by discussions on research themes including population and clinical science, education research, microbiology and vascular research, and experimental pathology and biology. Professor Sir John Tooke, Dean of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, will welcome delegates to the symposium and chair the first day.
The symposium will also see presentations from established experts and rising stars of dental research from each institution, including Dr Andrea Waylen and Dr Angela Nobbs from the University of Bristol, Dr. Simon Moore and Dr. Lindsay Davies from Cardiff University, and Hayley Kyte from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry.