Michael R. Norton BDS FDS RCS(Ed)
Michael graduated at the University of Wales College of Medicine Dental School in 1988 with distinctions in general medicine, surgery and oral biology. Michael went on to obtain a basic training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Cardiff, St. Thomas Hospital London, and the Royal London Hospital. He subsequently fulfilled the requirements set out by the General Dental Council, to be registered as a specialist in oral surgery. Michael held the position of Honorary Associate Specialist to the departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Charing Cross Hospital, London and at Bedford General Hospital, from 1991 to 2001. In this capacity Michael undertook part-time work on a purely voluntary basis providing his implant based skills to the most vulnerable and needy patients such as those who had received treatment for oral cancer or lost teeth due to systemic disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome.
For over 30 years Michael has led the way for implant dentistry in the UK becoming one of the world’s most respected educators and researchers. His considerable portfolio of peer-reviewed research has been widely cited and he is one of the most sought-after lecturer’s in his field. In 2007 in recognition of his expertise in the field of implant dentistry, Michael received the prestigious honour of being made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, without examination. Such an award is bestowed upon only the very few and only in recognition of a significant contribution to their chosen field. Additionally Michael was on the Specialist Advisory Board of the Royal College for the establishment of the Diploma in Implant Dentistry, for which he was an examiner during its early years.
In 2017 Michael was the 31st President of the Academy of Osseointegration and the first ever non-American President of this global organisation. Such a position ranks him amongst the most senior clinicians in his field both in Europe, the USA and further afield. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the AO since 2006. In 2005 Michael was awarded Fellowship of this premier international implant organisation. Michael is also a Past President of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI, UK) and in 2011 was made an Honorary Life Member for his services and dedication to the ADI.
In 2013 Michael was made Adjunct Clinical Professor to the Department of Periodontology at the School of Dental Medicine at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. In this capacity Michael continues his educational role contributing to the training of postgraduate residents as well as continuing with his research in collaboration with his colleagues and residents.
Michael is also known to play a major role in the education and training of his dental colleagues through his international lecturing and his much sought-after courses. He has been a prolific publisher over the years with numerous contributions to leading peer review journals, and through his classic textbook Dental Implants – A Guide for the General Practitioner which was the first by a British clinician on this subject, published in 1995. Michael is currently the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, which is considered to be the leading dental implant journal in the world He also acts as a referee for numerous other titles including the British Dental Journal. Until 2010, Michael co-owned, edited, and published the journal Dental Implant Summaries.
Michael is married to Louise and has three sons, Clark, Jake and Saul.
Michael is registered as a specialist in oral surgery with the General Dental Council, registration number 63248.
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