1953–2017

Brett was born in Guyana and lived in Dominica, St Kitts and St Croix before his family settled in St Lucia. In 1975 he moved to the UK to study dentistry at the Royal Dental Hospital, after first obtaining a degree in mathematics in Canada.

Even as an undergraduate at the Royal, Brett was interested in dental school politics. He became a student representative and president of the Student Society.

He graduated BDS London University with honours in 1979. After stints as a house officer in periodontology and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), he settled on a career in general dental practice. In 1985, he and his friend Andrew Sykes purchased the Dental Surgery, 50 Burford Road, Carterton, Oxfordshire, where their partnership lasted for more than 30 years.

Brett retained his interest in education and was a VT trainer in the Oxford Deanery for 15 years until 2005. He was an inspiring guide for new graduates and a helpful mentor for new trainers. He was a well-regarded and respected GDP with an ability to influence policy and shape change within UK dentistry.

Brett joined Oxfordshire LDC in 1987, and became their longstanding treasurer, and vice-chair. He forged closer links between Buckinghamshire and Berkshire LDCs and was a founding member of both the oral surgery and restorative managed clinical networks in Thames Valley, and the Thames Valley practitioner advice and support scheme (PASS).

Brett took to BDA politics with gusto. He was branch president in 2008–2009, and nationally, he held an array of positions on the GDPC from 2003, and was elected on to the executive in 2015 until he retired in 2016 due to ill health. His contribution to the BDA was immense, and last year he received the association's Lifetime Membership Award.

Brett represented the BDA at the Department of Health on the pathways and quality services group for oral surgery and restorative care (2009–2010) and the advanced care group (2010–2013). He was in the restorative commissioning guide working group from 2013–2016.

Brett was a long standing member of Denplan's Practice Advisor group, undertaking audit and assessment work at dental practices across the UK. He supported and mentored colleagues in difficulty and advised on matters of clinical and regulatory due diligence.

Beyond dentistry, Brett enjoyed family life, the local Catholic Church and Chipping Norton Golf Club. He is survived by Sue, a hygienist, his wife of 35 years whom he met at the Royal, his son, Dominic, a dentist undergoing specialist training in periodontology and implantology, and, daughter, Natasha, a doctor undergoing specialist training in geriatric medicine.

Brett will be fondly remembered by the many family, friends and colleagues who were individually touched by his actions and who will also remember his trademark broad smile.