Q&A
Scottish Dental magazine talks to John Meechan about what it means to come home to Hampden Park for the Scottish Dental Show (24-25 May), his predictions on the future of anaesthesia and the defining moment of his career
John likes the ‘Scottishness’ of the Forth Bridge
homecoming Show return is a real
Q – You’re coming to Scot- land in May, how does it feel to be ‘playing’ Hampden Park? It’s wonderful to be there – I used to live about a quarter of a mile from Hampden Park and, in fact, I’m actually still a regular attendee as I’m a member of the Scotland Supporters Club. I have been going since I was a boy of ı3 or ı4 but never thought I’d ever be there in a professional capacity. It really is a thrill! It makes me feel like an international profes- sional footballer!
Q – What can delegates expect from your talk at the Scottish Dental Show? I’m going to be giving an update on what’s happening in local
anaesthetic research and the latest in equipment and mate- rials. I’ll also have a particular focus on the drug articaine and how I think it might change practice.
Q – Who do you think would most benefit from listening to your talk? I think general practitioners would benefit most from coming, but with anaesthesia
being fundamental to dentistry, it would be appropriate for the whole of the dental team.
Q – Can you tell us a little bit about your previous working life in Scotland? Despite being Scottish, I have only worked in Scotland for a year. In ı977-78 I worked as a house officer at Glasgow Dental hospital and, during the same time, on a Saturday
“Attending the Dental Show really is a thrill! It makes me feel like an international
professional footballer! ” John Meechan
morning at Jim Smith’s practice in East Kilbride. Then I went to Newcastle in
ı978 intending to stay and get a year’s experience, with the plan to come back to Glasgow, but this never quite happened. I do visit Glasgow regularly, to watch the football at Hampden Park and to visit friends and family, but I do think I’ll stay in Northumberland now.
Q – Can you explain for those that don’t know, your current professional role? I’m a senior lecturer at the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University – and a consultant at Newcastle Hospi- tals Foundation Trust. My
Continued » Scottish Dental magazine 27
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