A FORMER pupil of Greenock Academy has become the first Scot to be elected to a major role within the dentistry profession.

Ian Mills will be inaugurated as Dean of the faculty of General Dental Practice in June.

Ian, 53, attended Ardgowan Primary and Greenock Academy before securing a place at Glasgow University to study dentistry, where he graduated in 1987.

Following his graduation, Ian spent a number of years working in hospitals before moving to Devon to set up his own practice with his wife Zena.

Ian has been involved in research and education for much of his career and previously held the role of Academic Clinical Fellow at Peninsula Dental School at Plymouth. 

Despite much of his career being spent in England, Ian remains very proud of his roots and has many happy memories of growing up in Greenock.

He said: “I was very fortunate to have had such a happy childhood and I love coming back to the west of Scotland, and the Firth of Clyde in particular. 

“I spent most of my formative years playing rugby, cricket and hockey, when I should have been studying. 

“I had a superb time in Greenock and Gourock growing up.

“I often find myself in the Glasgow area for conferences and I always try and come back, even if it’s just for a few hours.

“My sister still lives in Greenock so I try to meet her for a coffee when I can.”

Ian also has part of his home area in his workplace — as his colleagues bought him a painting of Cardwell Bay in Gourock for his 50th birthday.

Ian has been a dentist for 30 years and still loves his job.
He says he is looking forward to taking on his new role in June.

Ian said: “I have had quite a variation in my working life and dentistry is still something I enjoy.

“I have been really lucky with the people I have worked with and experiencing multiple jobs has kept me fresh and passionate.

“It will be an enormous privilege to lead the UK’s only professional body dedicated to general dental practice. 

“The faculty has a very important role to play in promoting high standards of patient care within dentistry.

“This has become increasingly important, particularly within the NHS, and I hope that my breadth of experience within the profession can be put to good use.”