Francis is a Consultant in Restorative Dentistry and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at Newcastle Dental Hospital and the School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University.  He trained in medicine followed by dentistry at St. Georges Hospital and University College, London University, before undertaking postgraduate training at the Eastman Dental Institute in London, and Newcastle University.  He took up his Consultant post in 2000. Francis carries out both surgical and prosthodontic aspects of implant dentistry and leads the implant team in Newcastle responsible for service delivery and specialist clinical training.  He is founder and Degree Programme Director of the Diploma in Clinical Implant Dentistry at Newcastle University, and examiner and board member for the Diploma in Implant Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.