Professor Leanne Sykes, a distinguished specialist prosthodontist and the current Head of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at the University of Pretoria, has been appointed as the President of the CMSA, College of Dentistry. 

As news of her appointment broke, Prof Sykes shared her initial thoughts and emotions. She expressed her excitement, saying, "I was ecstatic to be re-appointed as the president as I now have an opportunity to put the ideas I have had for many years into action.” These stem from the years she has dedicated to the college, having been an active member since the early 1990’s and where she served the CMSA and the College of Dentistry in various capacities, from associate to senator, secretary and past president. Her journey has been one of deep and long commitment. 

Prof Sykes, now at the helm, envisions a dynamic future for dental education and practice within the College of Dentistry. With a new panel of council members representing various dental specialities, she is confident they will form a strong and productive team. “The College of Dentistry is a very small college, and we need to encourage specialists to join”, she emphasised pointing to the need for growth and diversity.  

In her dual role as Head of Prosthodontics, Prof Sykes plans to seamlessly integrate her wealth of expertise into her new position. With year of experience in CMSA, she intends to share her knowledge within the dental school, aiding both staff and new examiners. "I wish to contribute to the development of relevant, fair, and comprehensive exams that meet international standards, “she asserted. 

The key initiatives during her term are centred on transforming the College of Dentistry into a powerhouse of excellence. “We must ensure exams reflect the elements and expertise we would expect from a ‘new specialist’, but must also be equitable with international standards, and encompass cutting edge technology”, she outlined. Prof Sykes envisions a college that not only produces top-tier specialists but also fosters collaboration with international colleagues for research purposes.  "Our primary focus is on ensuring that exams are equitable and reflect the scope of practice for each speciality. We want to produce specialists capable of meeting both national and international standards," she explained.

To strengthen the sense of community within the College of Dentistry, Prof Sykes emphasises the importance of regular council meetings. “I plan to make these open to all members, to attend and welcome input and new ideas”, she shared, underscoring the significance of collaboration in driving education.

Drawing on her background as a prosthodontist, Prof Sykes envisions pushing for more collaboration between specialities. “There is no point working in isolation within our limited fields when we can all bring shared expertise to the table”, she said, revealing her aspiration to break down silos within dentistry. 

As the president, Prof Sykes sees the College of Dentistry playing a pivotal role in addressing current issues and trends in the field. With a vision of expanded membership and collaboration, she aims to harness diverse skills and areas of expertise. “We need to be smart and rely on each other to keep us educators up to date on key trend”, she said, emphasising the collective strength of a united dental community. 

Looking towards the horizon, Prof Sykes envisions leaving a lasting impact on the College of Dentistry. “The College of Dentistry must be more than just about passing exams. It’s a perfect forum to meet and share ideas with like-minded specialists in our own and allied fields,” she emphasised. Her long-term goals include transforming negative perception some still have about the College, ensuring transparency, and fostering inclusivity.

For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps within the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Sykes offers a resounding message: “GET INVOLVED. Never feel intimidated by big organizations – we all start at the bottom. Seize every opportunity to learn from others. You will be amazed at how much the ‘older’ professionals like to impart their knowledge and experience if you just take the time to ask, and are open and humble enough to listen.”