Dr Jimmy Steele has been given Personal Chair in Oral Health Services Research in Newcastle.

His research is in a range of areas including national epidemiology such as the National Diet and Nutrition survey of the elderly, the 1998 Adult Dental Health Survey and the 2003 Children's Dental Health Survey.

His health services research includes projects in endodontics, resin bonded bridgework and the development of quality of life related outcome measures. He also has a developing interest in research into primary dental care.

Dr Steele studied dentistry in Dundee. He was appointed as lecturer in restorative dentistry in Newcastle in 1989, predominantly working in the conservation department.

Having completed a PhD in the epidemiology of oral health in the elderly in 1994 and specialist clinical training in restorative dentistry in 1998 he was appointed to a personal senior lecturer post in restorative dentistry in 1999.