Tom qualified from Glasgow in 1982 and has worked in general practice, hospital service, the salaried service in Scotland and in the hospital service in Malta. 

He has a Master’s in Public Health (Glasgow) and a Master’s in Business Administration (Stirling) and has been awarded an honorary Fellowship in Dental Surgery from both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health. He recently completed a BA in Classical Studies from the Open University. 

He was seconded to Scottish Government from his substantive post with NHS Education for Scotland as Deputy Chief Dental Officer. In December 2018 he became the Chief Dental Officer.