W K Scantlebury

The antithesis of the sparky, tight-trousered, assertive salesman, with bags of 'street cred' and a 'gimme, gimme' approach to life in general — and to dentistry in particular — Ken Scantlebury was much appreciated for his gentlemanly contribution to the profession, to the well-being of his patients and staff, and toward the causes which he supported.

His sense of humour and use of new approaches to pain control, diet and nutrition, and his care of, and genuine interest in, children no doubt meant more than personal trumpet-blowing.

Ken had to overcome a speech stammer and some personal hurdles before agreeing to take the chair of the BDA Hounslow and Twickenham section, and presidency of the Middlesex and Hertfordshire branch. He enjoyed the privileges of these and other posts, and made many valued friends along the way.

For many years he also enjoyed the company (and the jolly good dinners) as a member of the Five-Three Club, with others such as Sir Rodney Swiss, Frank Allott and Francis Manfield.

His innovative and persevering streak helped him build on education at Bury St Edmunds, The Leys School at Cambridge and Guy's Hospital Dental School.

Ken was brought up on a farm in Essex and always enjoyed going back there. He was known to have reminisced: 'Here is where we used to play cricket, or hockey. This is where Granny stood on the back step of the donkey cart, and where the donkey went up in the air!'

It was his Norwegian wife, Erna, who encouraged him to do the best of which he was capable. She died on the 66th anniversary of their wedding. With her elegant style and his diligent attention to detail, they were charming hosts, enjoying the company of valued friends and working very hard bringing up their two sons and a daughter.

Ken helped Erna to learn English and she in turn did everything she could for him. Together they enjoyed music, travelling with family and friends, and their gardens in Staines and Englefield Green. It had been challenging work to withstand the start of the NHS after the end of the Second World War, and improving their home next to the practice in Staines became an important pastime.

On their wedding anniversaries Ken would give Erna a rose for each of the years they had been married. Her loss affected him profoundly during his last few months at the nursing home where they came to live. They were both very interested in, and amused by, the antics, trials and achievements of their seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

I W S

Philip Edmund Freeman

Philip died suddenly on August 3 1998 at the age of 81.

He was born and grew up in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and qualified at the Royal Dental School, Edinburgh, where in 1941 he obtained an LDSRCS (Edin) Hons.

The forces inevitably followed, with service in the Army Dental Corps. He was involved with the D-Day landings and was subsequently posted to England, France and Belgium.

After the war Philip joined his father and uncle in their dental practices in Great Yarmouth and in the 50s bought his own premises in the town. This thrived until his retirement in 1983. During these years many young dentists were nurtured before vocational training was invented. Bridge-work carried out by Philip in the 1970s is still being reviewed and the impression-taking technique used by Philip to cope with my mother-in-law's jelly-like edentulous alveolar ridges still stands me in good stead today.

Always a keen British Dental Association member, Philip was a one-time president of the Norfolk and Norwich branch and secretary to the local dental committee.

Other enthusiasms included traditional jazz, photography and bird-watching. The Round Table, Ex-tablers Club and Probus Clubs also enjoyed his membership.

Philip was a church warden of his much-loved St Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth for 15 years following his retirement and was subsequently made church warden emeritus.

He is survived by his widow Jane, who had been a constant support in the business of the practice, as in his home life. He leaves three grandchildren and his three children, Matthew, Serina, and Jeremy, who were born to his first wife, Thelma, who died in 1962.

My abiding memory of Philip was his jovial generosity — 'Do have a pint!' Thanks Philip.

R S