Profile
Ama Johal graduated from Sheffield University in 1989, awarded a BDS degree with Honours. He subsequently undertook 3 years of general professional training, completing his Fellowship [FDS], before being appointed Specialist Registrar in Orthodontics at The Royal London Hospital in 1993. During his orthodontic training (1993-1996), obtaining MOrth RCS and MSc [distinction]. During Senior Registrar training at Guy's Hospital, he completed his Exit Fellowship (FDS Orth. RCS), Certificate in Teaching and Diploma in Management Studies [distinction]. Appointed Senior Clinical Lecturer/Hon. Consultant at Barts and The London in 2000, he completed a PhD (2005). He was appointed Reader grade in 2014 and subsequently Professor in 2016.
Ama has been the Undergraduate and post-graduate Lead for Orthodontics for a number of years and is currently Academic Lead for Orthodontics and Centre Lead for Oral Bioengineering within the Institute. He has also been Clinical Lead for Orthodontic services and is currently Clinical Lead for Hypodontia services.
Teaching
Having obtained a Certificate in Teaching and appointed fellow in the Higher Education Academy, in recognition of his teaching and learning experience, Ama has significantly contributed to the learning and teaching environment at both discipline (undergraduate and postgraduate) and interdisciplinary level, within the University, nationally and internationally. He was appointed Staff-Student President for the Dental Society and nominated for the QM Draper’s award for excellence in teaching and appointed President of the Royal London Orthodontic Alumni.
He has actively contributed to the establishment of the New under-graduate curriculum and was 1 of 5 UK academics to contribute to a nationally funded (£75K) study, designed to develop a range of e-learning modules, to enhance the undergraduate learning experience.
The QM postgraduate programme in Orthodontics, is regarded amongst the best in the UK and this reflected in the popularity and attendance of StR’s and higher Registrars at four national training courses which I jointly run and contribute towards. As Program lead and Deanery appointed Educational Supervisor, I play a key role in the development of trainees and this has been acknowledged by my students winning a range of National and International prizes within the Specialty and Sleep Medicine, for example the British Sleep Societies ‘Young Researcher Award, 2013’.
Research
Research Interests:
Ama’s principle research interests have primarily focussed on sleep-related breathing disorders and their management. He has been awarded the Belle Maudsley Prize for 'The Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Dentistry'; Gunter Russell Research Poster Award by British Orthodontic Society 'Responses to mandibular protrusion in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea' and The Arnold Huddart New Researcher Medal by The Craniofacial Society of Great Britain for 'The Orthodontist's contribution to the management of obstructive sleep apnoea'. His PhD was partly funded by Shirley Glasstone Hughes Research Prize Fund awarded by the British Dental Association and a Scholarship Award General Dental Council. He has subsequently been awarded: a European Orthodontic Society Research Grant for evaluating 'The role of three-dimensional fluoroscopy as a prognostic indicator in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea'; Schottlander Oral Research Presentation Prize for the Advancement of knowledge in Prosthetic dentistry by the British Society for the Study of Prosthetic Dentistry; Chapman Prize for the Best research Paper Submission entitled 'The role of mandibular advancement appliances in the management of sleep-related breathing disorders' by the British Orthodontic Society; Gunter Russell Research Poster Award for 'An investigation of electromyographic changes with mandibular advancement splint therapy'.
His other research interests include assessing the quality of life and determinants of Orthodontic interventions, through clinical trials. As part of a National Clinical Orthodontic Research Collaboration, received a number of grant awards from the British Orthodontic Society Research Foundation.
Ama successfully introduced a PhD program in Orthodontics, with 3 completed projects in the defined timeline and currently a further 5 in varying stages of study.
Supervision
PhD, DclinDent and MSc supervision.
