Paul died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on 4th August 2003. He was born on August 1938 and went to school at the Haberdashers Eske but left at 16 having, by his own admission, not done very well. He did his National Service in the RAF dental section where he gained his nickname of 'Lucky Jim', and then typically of his strength of character, gained the qualifications to go to Durham University where he graduated from Newcastle Dental School in 1966. After two years as an associate, he bought a NHS general practice in Newport, Monmouthshire where he practiced for 30 years. until, in 1997, his health problems made full time general practice impossible much to the dismay of his patients whom Paul had treated with understanding, care and expertise.

Retirement? - Not Paul. He worked, part-time, in a busy NHS town practice, continued his work as a much respected Dental Adviser for the Gwent Health Authority and still found time for two days each week to have his renal dialysis. Paul was a very active member of the BDA throughout his professional career being President of the South Wales Branch in 1981. He was also a past chairman of the Gwent LDC and gained a MScD in 1983, DGDP in 1992 and DPDS in January 2003. After his full time MScD course in Periodontology, Paul was for 5 years a part-time lecturer at the University of Wales and later co-authored a paper which was published in the Journal of Periodontal Research.

When those who knew Jim Sinden think of him, I am sure they will see the smiling face and the assurance that infected all around him both at work and play.

Paul was a founder member of the Lions Club in Chepstow to which he was a leading light until his death. He regularly attended and supported the St. Pierre church at the golf course in Chepstow and was also an avid golfer whose game can only politely be described as 'belying his swing'. When those who knew Jim Sinden think of him, I am sure that they will see the smiling face and the assurance that infected all around him both at work and play.

Paul will be deeply missed not only by his family and friends but also by the dental profession in Monmouthshire for his fair, sensible and honest advice.

His wife, Wendy, and his children, David, Michael and Matthew, to whom he was a rock, are in our thoughts.