British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) President Austen Smith has welcomed the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng) independent review into diversity and inclusion, conducted by Dame Helena Kennedy QC.

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Dr Smith (pictured) said: 'Given the impact of the RCSEng holding themselves up to a strong light in their report An independent review on diversity and inclusion for the Royal College of Surgeons of England: An exciting call for radical change,1 it is clear that surgical disciplines in the UK owe it to present and future colleagues to squeeze out any unfairness or unacceptable labelling.

'As President of the British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons I am proud of what has already been achieved within our surgical specialty.

'From the initiation of the Inclusion, Equity and Diversity policy by my predecessor Sat Parmar in 2019, BAOMS has actively pursued a policy of cultivating an atmosphere that recognises and acknowledges the differences between individuals, without judgement.

'This has already resulted in the most diverse membership of BAOMS Council, which steers and guides our association. Half of Council members, for example, are women and from a range of different backgrounds.

'We have a publicly exhibited gallery on our website that illustrates the wide variety of origins, backgrounds, cultures and standpoints from junior doctors up to senior figures in the specialty.

'In 2023 our President will be Miss Daljit Kaur Dhariwal, our second female President who is of British Asian/Indian origin. Her Presidency will be clear proof that it is possible to have a satisfying family life, and still achieve pre-eminence in the demanding world of clinical surgery and medical politics.

'Council member Kanwalraj Moar, Cleft Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon and Divisional Director for Women's and Children's Services at Addenbrookes Hospital, has taken the BAOMS Diversity Lead portfolio. Her role is to monitor our diversity and inclusion activities, communicate our achievements and advise where we need to do better. In addition, she is a founding member and Honorary Secretary for the Society of Women in Maxillofacial Surgery (SWiMS), an independent society that in healthy collaboration with BAOMS represents the interests and mutual opinions of female surgeons active in our speciality.

'Oral and maxillofacial surgery is rich with a diversity of skills, characteristics and attributes that creates a vitality and strength. I believe that the diversity of our members and leaders is an amazing positive benefit to OMFS. And I hope those who gravitate to OMFS will feel and be both supported and protected as they pursue their career aspirations.'