Honesty, trust and integrity | British Dental Journal

Sir, I was interested to read the three contributions on leadership in the latest _BDJ_ issue.1,2,3 I was somewhat disappointed these authors do not first define leadership in

clinical/practice and professional/national settings as they are very different! While many qualities of leadership were mentioned, there was no mention of those personal qualities that

cannot be taught. I was thinking of honesty, trust and integrity - all of which must be prerequisites for any leadership role. Integrity can take years of effort but be lost in seconds! The

strength of having one's own practice with a loyal patient base, gave me the ability in my days to call out unfairness and injustice, even in those that wielded power or were in

authority, for the very reason that I was not dependent on them for my pay, promotion or pension! What about leadership by example? We must beware: our young colleagues are watching (just as

our children did). True leaders should be resilient and have the mental and physical stamina to stay the course. They should also be able to put their hands up and accept their mistakes, no

matter how uncomfortable. The primary quality of any leader in any sector at any level, must surely be trust? I am deeply concerned after 50 years in dentistry that trust between colleagues

and indeed between the profession and the public/patients is being eroded rapidly. If this continues, it will indeed make it difficult for future generations to regain it. I rest my case.

REFERENCES * Pal A. Leadership in dentistry - a personal perspective. _Br Dent J _2023; 234: 921. * Wong J. Perspectives on leadership. _Br Dent J _2023; 234: 920. * Gambold S. Leadership in

dentistry. _Br Dent J _2023; 234: 922. Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Ealing, London, UK R. Ladwa Authors * R. Ladwa View author publications You can also

search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to R. Ladwa. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Ladwa,

R. Honesty, trust and integrity. _Br Dent J_ 235, 162 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6163-4 Download citation * Received: 28 June 2023 * Accepted: 28 June 2023 * Published: 11

August 2023 * Issue Date: 11 August 2023 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6163-4 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get

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