INTERVIEW
Lifelong learner
New IDA President Dr PJ Byrne discusses the dental-medical interface, professionalism in dentistry, and the importance of strong role models. PJ Byrne was first introduced to the idea of dentistry as a career on a golf course in Kerry. He and his father played regularly with a father and son duo of dentists (the O’Hanlons from Listowel), and they made a strong impression on the young Cork native. "I was always very impressed by their knowledge of medicine – I saw that there was more to dentistry than just 'fillings'." PJ's education began in the old Dental School in Cork and his first introduction to politics and activism occurred at that time too, travelling to Dáil Éireann seeking funding for the new dental school, which had been damaged by fire during construction. That experience taught him some valuable lessons. Immediately after graduation from Cork in 1982, PJ began work in the Dublin Dental School as a house surgeon and later SHO, before moving to Shrewsbury in the UK to pursue his interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery. At that time, job opportunities in that discipline were extremely limited. "It was just after the time when you could do oral and maxillofacial surgery as a singly qualified person; you would have to do medicine as well". PJ thought long and hard about his career options, but helpful advice from
192 Journal of the Irish Dental Association | August/September 2016 : Vol 62 (4)
colleagues cemented his desire to remain in dentistry. He took up a position in a sixperson dental practice in the UK, where they were looking for somebody with a special interest in oral surgery and periodontology, along with some general dentistry. He then returned to the Dublin Dental School as a registrar in oral surgery, before heading back to the UK, this time to the Eastman Dental Institute in London to do a masters in periodontology, a long-held specialist interest.
Role models and colleagues The importance of influential role models is something PJ is keen to emphasise. Over the course of his career he has been fortunate to come into contact with many eminent figures in Irish and international dentistry, all of whom contributed enormously to his development as a clinician and teacher. "Prof. Brian Barrett, Dean of the Cork Dental School, was a true professional and an inspiring clinician, who later became a Dean of The Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI. He was a superb role model for any young dental student. I was also encouraged by the enthusiasm of Prof. Louis Buckley, Professor of Periodontology, one of the few dentists in Ireland doing research in the 1970s. Tim Holland was such a caring