
Sir Nairn Wilson becomes first DTA Ambassador
By Derek Pearson | 4th September 2023 | News
Professor Sir Nairn Wilson CBE DSc(h.c.) DDent (h.c.) PhD FCGDent FDS FICD FKC. President Emeritus College of General Dentistry, Emeritus Professor of Dentistry, who was recently appointed Knight Bachelor in King Charles III's first Birthday Honours List, has now also become the Dental Technologist Association's first Ambassador. A spokesperson from the DTA celebrates the news.
DTA President Delroy Reeves said: "We are proud to have such an outstanding personality in the dental profession step up as our first Ambassador. Sir Nairn is also part of our DTA Fellowship committee and remains a leading light in the field of dental education.
"If Sir Nairn brings the same vigour and energy to his DTA Ambassadorial role that he has to everything else he does - including helping with the refurbishment of the British Dental Museum where his wife, Margaret is Honorary Curator - he will prove a truly valuable asset."
Sir Nairn said: "I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed the DTA's first Ambassador. I look forward to this new role and to contributing to the future success of the Association."
Professor Sir Nairn Wilson, believed to be the first dental professional to be knighted since Sir Nicholas Sturridge KCVO in 2007, and the first to be made a Knight Bachelor since Sir Ian Gainsford in 1995, has had a profound impact on the dental profession.
He is a Founder and Founding Fellow of the College of General Dentistry, and its first Chair, serving from 2017-20. He was appointed Honorary Founding President, and following the full activation of the College with the transfer of the membership of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice in 2021, President Emeritus and the College's first Life Fellow.
A Patron of the Dental Wellness Trust, he is a Past President of the British Dental Association and Emeritus Professor of Dentistry at King's College London, where he was Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Dean and Head of the College's Dental Institute, and Deputy Vice Principal for Health.
His many other positions have included Dean of Manchester University Dental Hospital and subsequently Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Editor of the Journal of Dentistry, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, President of the General Dental Council, Chair of the Council of Deans and Heads of Dental Schools (now the Dental Schools Council) and co-chair of the Forum of European Heads and Deans of Dental Schools.
He was made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 for services to dentistry and healthcare regulation, and holds fellowships, in addition to the College of General Dentistry, of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentistry, Academy of Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, British Society of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, King's College London, Higher Education Academy, Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Oman Dental College, Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and International College of Dentists.
His awards for research excellence include the Hollenback Memorial Prize, a British Dental Association Tomes Medal and the International Association for Dental Research Ivar Mjör Award for practice-based research.
Delroy Reeves added: "We always say that if you want something done you should ask a busy person, and Sir Nairn is a very busy man. But we are certain he will bring his unique personality to this first ever DTA Ambassadorial role, plus that rich and experienced insight that has earned him so many accolades and awards in the past - and surely in the future. Every member of the DTA Council is looking forward to working with him to the benefit of our members."
For more information about the DTA, visit www.dta-uk.org
Find out more about our Ambassador role here.