A highly respected and internationally renowned dentist has been appointed as head of the University of Queensland, School of Dentistry.

Professor Lakshman Samaranayake, who has a long and distinguished career, leaves his former posts in Hong Kong to take up this new job.

However, it is believed that the dentist wanted to use his knowledge and skills to put the University of Queensland dentistry school firmly on the map of international research.

The school is currently undergoing refurbishment at a cost of $114 million. The appointment of Professor Samaranayake is the icing on the cake.

The new Oral Health Centre in Queensland, Australia, is thought to be the largest centre of its type. It is expected to integrate a range of dental clinical services.

It is also hoped that the new centre will develop new methods for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental diseases.

Professor Samaranayake’s own specialism is in infections in medically compromised people and clinical oral microbiology.

In other international news, a dental clinic in Ireland received a hat-trick of awards at the recent Irish Dental award ceremony.

Portobello Dental Clinic, which is based in Dublin, was voted Practice of the Year (Ireland), Practice of the Year (Dublin) and Best Website.

The founder of the clinic, Helen Walsh, told reporters afterwards that she was overwhelmed at the support her clinic has received.

She added that it gives the staff and by inference the patients a real boost.

The clinic itself employs 12 practice staff which helps to give patients a great experience.