Dental News - University of Queensland has first female-led dental school in Australia

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 1. June 2016

save

BRISBANE, Australia: With the new appointment of Prof. Pauline Ford as its head, the School of Dentistry of the University of Queensland (UQ) has become the first such school in Australia and New Zealand to be led by a woman. After serving as the school’s deputy head from January 2015 and acting as its head since February this year, Ford is now officially assuming the leadership role.

According to Prof. Bruce Abernethy, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at UQ, Ford’s appointment came at a time of great change and opportunity for the school. “Professor Ford is a passionate educator, having led the development of the new Bachelor of Dental Science (Hons) curriculum, served as the School’s Chair of Teaching and Learning, and contributed strongly to initiatives in simulation training and inter-professional education at both the School and Faculty level,” Abernethy said.

Ford graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Science (Hons.) from UQ in 1989, winning a University Medal for her academic achievements. After working in a general dental practice for nine years, she returned to the School of Dentistry to complete a PhD before joining the academic staff in 2005.

With a master’s degree in public health too, Ford’s teaching activities focus on oral health and its role in general health and well-being. According to the university, much of her research is dedicated to groups that have difficulty accessing appropriate oral health care, such as people with mental illness and the homeless.

Ford’s appointment as the first female head of dentistry confirms the recent shift towards greater gender equality that the traditionally male-dominated profession is undergoing in Australia. According to a 2014 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the proportion of female dentists in the country rose from about 35 per cent to almost 37 per cent between 2011 and 2012.

However, the same report highlighted that although more women were entering the dental workforce, they were unequally represented in the various dental professions. Therefore, 97 per cent of employed dental therapists, 95 per cent of employed dental hygienists and 85 per cent of employed oral therapists in 2012 were female, while dental prosthetists were much more likely to be male, with women making up only 15 per cent of this group.

To post a reply please login or register

Qatar University celebrates first dental graduates

DOHA, Qatar: Qatar University has marked a historic milestone with the graduation of the founding cohort from the College of Dental Medicine, the ...

University of Rwanda graduates first class of dentists

BUTARE, Rwanda: The University of Rwanda recently celebrated the graduation of its first-ever graduate class of dentists. With a population of more than 12 ...

Qatar University announces establishment of country’s first dental medicine college

DOHA, Qatar: Qatar University (QU) has announced the launch of the country’s first dental medicine college. Starting from September 2019, the QU College ...

King’s College London hosts first UK edition of Ivoclar Summer School

LONDON, England: The Ivoclar Summer School, an international education initiative for dental students, was held in the UK for the first time this summer. ...

First-ever robot-led dental surgery performed in China

XI'AN, China: For the first time ever, a robot has independently placed two 3-D-printed implants into a patient’s mouth without human involvement. The ...

Future-ready dental graduates: Embracing the next wave of digital transformation in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia: Encompassing innovations such as virtual care, remote monitoring, mobile health apps and artificial intelligence (AI), digital health ...

Ireland to have its first community-based dental school

DUBLIN, Ireland: Many individuals in Ireland who have difficulty in getting a National Health Service (NHS) dental appointment today will remember a time ...

Health experts lament removal of fluoride from Queensland water supplies

GYMPIE, Australia: Despite water fluoridation being recognised as one of the twentieth century’s greatest public health achievements, an increasing number...

Elective dental procedures to restart in Australia as restrictions ease

SYDNEY, Australia: Thanks to Australia’s success in limiting the number of new SARS-CoV-2 cases each day, the national government announced last week that...

Osteology Symposium to be held in Australia for the first time

MELBOURNE, Australia: For the first time in the Osteology Foundation’s history, Melbourne will play host to one of the three Asia-Pacific symposiums. ...

Students of dental sciences in Australia lack education about deaf patients

NEDLANDS, Australia: According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20% of the world’s population is affected by some form of hearing loss. As one in ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 30 April 2026
1:00 pm EST (New York)