Professor Rodd worked very closely with Professor Marshman promoting and developing the voices of children in paediatric research. She worked to produce the “Your teeth, you are in control” self-help resource for children with dental anxiety. This resource was developed by drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy coupled with child centred participatory methodologies. Her leadership and work culminated in the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry’s Annual Conference in Glasgow in 2015 being called the ‘Voice of the Child’, this involved inviting 2,000 delegates to discuss the latest research and best practice in paediatric dentistry and highlighted the importance of seeking to involve children as active partners in research. Professor Rodd’s contribution to children’s oral health and NHS leadership has been recognised by the award of a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the recent Queen’s birthday Honours (2020). She is currently the first female Chair of the Faculty of Dental Surgery’s Research Committee (RCS Eng).
Professor Rodd has been a past head of Unit and Deputy Director of Teaching and Learning in the School. She also provides supervision for many PhD students all working on child centred approaches as well as the field of oral health related quality of life in children. She is totally committed to supporting future clinical academics in paediatric dentistry. Helen is a fabulous colleague always bringing a bright and positive voice to everything she does in the School of Clinical Dentistry. This positivity is infectious with lectures and meeting lighting up during her contributions.
What is the one thing that has most significantly helped you in your career to date?
Without doubt, my career fulfilment and successes have been due to having supportive, clever, positive, honest and collaborative colleagues in this School, and throughout the paediatric dentistry community.
What is the one thing that has most significantly hindered or challenged you to date in your career?
In recent years, I have found it more challenging to meet the needs of both students and patients (or rather the parents of my patients). Expectations are very high, and the way we communicate now means that people can contact me anytime of the day or night and want immediate responses. That pressure can be difficult to manage.
What advice would you give to young female academics starting out on their careers now?
Seek out mentors and align yourself to networks that are proactive and enthusiastic. Don’t stand back when opportunities come your way. And when it gets too much, go for a run.