Dr. Alison Cairns

Biography

Alison Cairns is currently the Director of Dental Education at the University of Glasgow Dental School, overseeing the Undergraduate Programme. She graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) with Commendation in 1997 and subsequently completed General Professional Training in Vocational Training and Oral Surgery and Periodontology/Oral Medicine at Glasgow Dental Hospital. In 1999, she joined a Senior House Officer rotation that included Maxillofacial Surgery and Paediatric Dentistry. She completed her MFDS qualification and became a Specialist Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry, pursuing a Masters degree in research that she completed in 2004. In 2006, she was appointed as a Clinical Lecturer and later became a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant. She holds qualifications from the Royal College of Surgeons in Paediatric Dentistry and completed her PhD in 2018, focusing on peer observation in teaching practices. Alison directs the Dental Education at the School, leads Paediatric Dentistry teaching, and provides NHS clinical services at the Royal Hospital for Children, offering clinical training and educational support. Her research interests include dental education, cleft care, child protection, and dental trauma.

Research Interests

Experience