Professor Mike Milward BDS (Distinction in Clinical Dentistry), MFGDP (London), MFDS RCPS (Glasgow), FHEA, PhD

• PhD; University of Birmingham 2010
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2001
• Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery; Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons Glasgow 2000
• Member of The Faculty of General Dental Practitioners; Royal College of Surgeons, London 1995
• BDS; University of Birmingham (Distinction in Clinical Dentistry), 1993
• Higher TEC in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Microbiology); University of Wolverhampton 1984

Since his appointment as a Clinical Lecturer in Periodontology in 1999, Professor Milward has strived to develop skills in both teaching and research. Mike has a keen interest in enhancing the educational environment for our students, and with this in mind has developed a number of innovative educational approaches, examples include introduction of computer based learning material, development of a Progress File scheme, and introduction of Infection Control Competency tests for undergraduate students. Mike is the Director of Education for the College of Medical & Dental Sciences, Head of Periodontology Specialty Teaching, Library Academic Lead and Collaborative Programme Officer for the School of Hygiene & Therapy. He also represents the College of MDS on the University Collaborative Programme Committee.

Professor Milward is a calibrated clinical examiner for a number of multi-national companies and is a key member of the clinical trials team based in Periodontology at The School of Dentistry. To date Mike has been involved in 16 clinical trials. These studies have brought in considerable funding to the University and School as well as being published in the scientific literature.

In addition to his clinical trials based research Mike is committed to continuing research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms underpinning the aetiology of periodontitis, which formed the basis of his PhD thesis. He is also a founding member of the Photonics Research Group which aims to develop light based technologies for the management of a variety of diseases. This group has wide ranging collaborations with other research groups and industry and has attracted significant funding. 

Professor Milward’s external professional activities include membership of the British Society of Periodontology, where he sits on the Education Committee, which has developed a range of activities aimed at improving the knowledge and management of periodontitis within the dental community and increasing patient awareness of periodontal disease. He is also Treasurer of this prestigious society.

• Dental Surgery BDS
• MSc in Advanced General Dental Practice (Module Based)
• BMedSc Biology of Ageing module/Dental Biomaterials 
• Advanced General Dental Practice MSc (Distance Learning)

Mike is currently supervising several grants and self-funded PhD & MSc students.

Professor Milward is currently involved in a wide range of projects mainly centred on:

1) Elucidating the mechanisms underpinning the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, including neutrophil biology, role of epithelium & fibroblasts, and novel mechanisms of disease induction e.g. Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

2) Photobiomodulation; understanding the mechanisms and biological pathways that underpin the beneficial effects of light based treatments. Developing light based therapies for use in a range of oral & systemic disease and management of infected and traumatic lesions.

3) Clinical trials: testing new oral products to determine clinical efficacy. The School of Dentistry is an internationally recognised centre for clinical trials and has successfully delivered in the region of 16 clinical trials based studies over the last 15 years.

4) Role of diet in the aetiology and management of periodontal disease: how phytonutrients impact on inflammation and how this translates to management of chronic inflammatory diseases.

5) Microbiology of Oral Disease: How the plaque biofilm interacts with hosts cells to induce inflammation and disease. Non antibiotic methods of biofilm reduction to promote health.  

Professor Milward's future plans involve delivering on his current projects but also trying to develop collaborations leading to further successful research grant applications. His current collaborations with researchers at the Medical School and at other Universities have been very fruitful and have added a further dimension to dental and biomedical research. Professor Milward’s clinical / research skills add considerable value to research ideas especially with the current interest in associations with periodontitis and systemic diseases, thereby opening a number of potential areas for research grant funding.

He is cofounder of the Photonic research group (with Profs Cooper & Palin) which has developed a completely new research theme at the School of Dentistry. This group has already attracted significant funding e.g. National Institute for Health Research (i4i) and industry (DSTL) as well as overseas and UK based PhD students to develop a novel therapeutic based devices.

• British Society of Periodontology Treasurer
• Calibrated Clinical Examiner for a multi-national company
• External Examiner for University of Cork and Dundee University
• Journal and Grant reviewer for a number of high impact peer reviewed journals
• Member of Oral Microbiology & Immunology Group
• Member of International Association of Dental Research
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy