Gerry Cleary Dentist and president of the Irish Dental Association.
Personal/family: Married to Silvia Valderrama with four children - Andrew, Paul, Lucia and Anna.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
In 1963 Ireland fluoridated the water supply and reduced tooth decay in the population by 50 per cent in 10 years. I admire the then minister of health, Sean McEntee, and the advisory team from the Irish Dental Association for this effective public health action.
What other career might you have chosen?
My grandfather was a civil engineer, but I had a difficulty seeing a career path in engineering. An alternative would have been retail. My family were hardware providers for four generations.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
I spent a night on a trolley in an A&E department. Having seen the suffering endured by patients, I believe the fiasco of A&E has to be sorted out. So A&E would be a priority, as would proper funding of the public dental health service, in particular for medical card holders. I would also see that a chief dental officer in the Department of Health was appointed - the post has been vacant since 2004.
What is your greatest fear?
Illness of any of my children.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
As a dental patient I am exemplary - my wife is my dentist. I have also been a medical patient and I hope I was a good one.
When or where are you happiest?
Hitting tennis balls and with my children climbing on top of me.
How do you cope with stress?
I have a bicycle and the cycle home is uphill. That deals with most of my stress. An occasional glass of red wine also helps.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Practicality.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
Impatience.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
Exercise and more exercise.
Who or what makes you laugh?
My wife, my children and my innate stupidity.
What is your motto?
Do it right or do it over. I learned the hard way in graduate school.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Lyric FM is my favourite radio station. On TV it's sports programmes, Frasier and Yes Minister.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.