1943–2015

Gordon Smith died in Wythenshawe Hospital on 7 June 2015 after stoically enduring, since his early retirement, a progressively restrictive respiratory disease.

Gordon qualified in Dundee in 1967, and joined their staff before being recruited to Manchester in 1971. Gordon was a lively transplant to England, not only bringing fresh knowledge, but also an air of fun – his sense of humour becoming widely recognised throughout his professional circle. He was not only a skilled and empathic teacher, he was also the dentist's dentist engendering huge respect among local practitioners via his popular lectures and courses. He was a modest, but talented, clinical academic with realism and practicality as his guide-stone.

Gordon Alexander Smith was born on 1 November, 1943, in Forfar, Scotland, son of Alex and Jean Smith, and attended Forfar Academy, where he met his future wife, Pam. His home background imbued him with an aptitude for practical skills which not only translated to his dental academic studies at Queens College, Dundee, (then a component of St. Andrews University), where he won several prizes, but manifested in considerable woodworking ability to complement his consummate amateur baking and innate musical talents.

He researched many aspects of dentistry and was soon heavily involved with ICI in developing and trialling their light-cured composite resins. He was examiner at, and Regional Adviser to, the RCS Edinburgh as well as examiner for the Board of Dental Nurses. In 1980 he was appointed the first NHS restorative consultant at Manchester. The succession of trainees who passed through his newly independent clinics all speak highly of his care and concern over their career developments; and their own subsequent senior status is testament to his responsible supervision.

There was always laughter where Gordon was. Colleagues, students and technical and nursing staff all enjoyed his wit, which was often sharply perceptive, but never barbed. He would say something and look over his glasses at you straight-faced, then you saw the twinkle in his eye and heard the comment – 'think about it' – and the penny would drop!

With the advent and increasing significance of dental implants, he had the foresight and the expertise to pioneer a teamwork, but patient oriented, approach to this expanding service, working with oral surgery colleagues in the North West Region and forging links with a corresponding team based in Merseyside.

Gordon was a much respected and hugely popular figure, devoted to patient welfare, and influential in dental teaching and clinical practice.

He is survived by his wife, Pam, and by his son, Graham and daughter, Kate.