Norman Thomson died suddenly on 22 May 2004, aged 70. He was born and raised in Edinburgh, attending Daniel Stewart's College then entering Edinburgh Dental Hospital and School in 1950, where he met his wife Christine. Norman's first position was in general practice in Woking but in 1960 he returned to Lothian. He joined Midlothian County Council and was based in Penicuik until 1974.

Following a major re-organisation in 1974 and the creation of the Community Dental Service, Norman was appointed District Dental Officer for North Lothian, a post he held until his retirement in 1988. In this post Norman saw the Community Dental Service develop a provision for all in the community, as well as provide extensive oral health education and preventive care for children.

One of Norman's lasting achievements was the establishment of the Emergency Dental Service in Edinburgh...

One of Norman's lasting achievements was the establishment of the Emergency Dental Service in October 1977, based in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. In the first three months 504 patients were treated. In the year that Norman retired, 1988, six thousand patients were seen. Norman put much personal energy into making this service a success. Inevitably, as the service was only open in the evenings and at weekends, this intruded into his personal life, including family holidays. He had a very understanding family!

Norman lived a full life in his retirement, retaining keen interests in photography, travel, golf, skiing, country dancing and Scottish fiddle music. In the mid 1990s Norman was able to take a number of trips on a traditional steam powered Clyde Puffer, of the type sailed by Para Handy.

Norman is sadly missed by his family; Christine, daughters Fiona, Helen and Susie and his six grandchildren, and by many former colleagues with whom he kept in touch. One of Norman's friends and colleagues wrote: 'We are going to be much poorer without Norman but his Christian faith and his positive and inspirational attitude to life's challenges will stand us in good stead.'