Michael Kirkland died on 14 December 2004 aged 81. Qualifying in Edinburgh in 1945, he completed National Service then went into practice in Leicester, his home town.

Later he moved north to Perth and entered the School Dental Service. He was to become the Chief Dental Officer and after the 1974 reorganisation, the District Dental Officer for Perth and Kinross.

Michael was a quiet, thinking man and a caring dentist.

Michael was very active in the Public Dental Officers Group of the Association, holding many offices including membership of the staff side of the Dental Whitley Council and its Chairman. He was a member of the central committee for Community Dental Services, and Vice Chairman of the Scottish sub-Committee. He was also involved more widely in BDA affairs and held in high regard by his colleagues who elected him Branch President of the North of Scotland Branch in 1969-70. He was awarded Life Membership of the Association on his retirement in 1982.

Since that time he was kept busy with his lovely garden, his family and his love of sport — especially cricket. Michael was a quiet, thinking man and a caring dentist. He had a large circle of friends, both within and outside the profession, and will be sadly missed. To his wife Flora and his family we give our most sincere sympathy.