Focus on leadership in academic dentistry

Given the many, different challenges which are anticipated to face academic dentistry in the foreseeable future, high quality leadership is a ‘must’ if academic dentistry is to realise its potential in healthcare education, training and research, let alone help effect much-needed improvements in oral health and ensure the rightful place of oral healthcare in future general health and social care provision. Furthermore, the vision of leaders in academic dentistry must be increasingly all-inclusive and global, if the individuals and groups they lead are to succeed and be effective in meeting future multicultural and otherwise diverse needs and expectations. Special thanks are extended to Chris Lynch in his role as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dentistry for agreeing to publish a special issue on leadership in academic dentistry, and to the Journal of Dentistry production team at Elsevier for their invaluable help and support.