Peter Cowan, Director of dental affairs, RCSI.
Personal/family: Born in 1955 in Dublin. Educated in Sandford Parish National School and Sandford Park. Qualified in dentistry in 1978 from Trinity College, Dublin. Completed postgraduate training and qualifications in restorative dentistry and oral surgery. My great-great uncle, my grandfather and my father were all dentists so it was probably already in my genes from an early age. My practice is more than 100 years old. Married to Siobhan and have three children - Josh (11), Lia (9) and Ben (7).
What figure from the world of medicine/health do you most admire?
I have always been fascinated by the discovery of DNA and so the work of Watson and Crick stands out in my mind. In my own field of dentistry, Per-Ingvar Branemark is a remarkable figure. The Swedish scientist who developed the concept of osseointegration (the joining of bone to an implant), which is now utilised all over the world in implant dentistry to replace missing teeth, is a man of not only immense dedication but also of great compassion towards his patients.
What other career might you have chosen?
One of two possibilities here. As I have always loved music and used to be a drummer (a bad one) in a rock band, I might have tried my luck as a rock musician. My other passion is for tennis, which I have played (rather better than my drumming experiences) all my life. It would have been an experience to play on the circuit if I had been good enough.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority?
I think that access to hospital beds would be my major focus. I am distressed to see patients lying on trolleys or worse when they are seriously ill. One of my roles in RCSI is to travel to countries in the Middle East to inspect and approve training institutions for postgraduate programmes in dentistry. Although I accept that finance is an issue in this debate, the standard of hospital facilities and available equipment in many of these countries make me wonder who should be carrying out the inspecting.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear?
I am not great at heights and I wouldn't volunteer to have a spider crawl over me.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes. I have been in hospital for a broken leg when I was 15. It was a pretty bad break and I was eight weeks in hospital and a year on crutches. Fortunately I had a brilliant surgeon who left me with no after-effects. I grew up a lot during that year as it was tough going but in general, I have no problem being a patient.
What three books would you bring to a desert island?
Lord of the Rings, The Life of Pi and Winnie the Pooh.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
For me, a serious game of tennis is my stress reliever provided the backhand volley is working well.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
I always enjoyed Morse and still enjoy A Touch of Frost - crime thrillers with very human characters in the lead roles. Having young children, I have to admit to also watching The Simpsons. My favourite movie, however, has always been The Producers by Mel Brooks.
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life?
Somewhere in the east, on the Indian Ocean. The sound of the wind, the heat and especially the people are something really special
Summarise yourself in 12 words.
Hard-working, family-centred, organised and happy in my own skin.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies?
Yes, I do at times. I feel that complementary healthcare has its place along with the more traditional philosophies, provided it is carried out to a high standard and has benefit for the patient.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Listening to my children trying to convince me that one bar of chocolate really isn't going to be a problem for their poor teeth. How can you resist that logic.