The citation for Professor Lynch’s award recognised his outstanding international contribution to dental education, scholarship, and professional leadership - in particular highlighting Professor Lynch’s international reputation as Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Dentistry since 2011 and his achievement of Membership of the Royal Irish Academy in 2023 (the latter regarded as the highest academic honour in Ireland). In its 240 year history, Professor Lynch is the 3rd dentist to have been admitted to Membership of the Royal Irish Academy, and the first since 1940.

Fidaa Marouf receiving his trophy from Prof Roberts and Dr Diarmuid O’Cronin.

What is the overarching theme of your research? I am interested in how oral health fits into people’s overall health. Our dental and oral health needs are not one-size-fits-all, and they can change quite substantially over the lifespan, or if a person has a medical condition.