1952 - 2020

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Dr Rashmi Patel MBE on 25 October 2020 after a long illness.

Having obtained her qualification in 1977, Rashmi set up a practice along with her husband Mahesh in Edmonton. She continued her postgraduate studies with vigour. Having obtained her MFGDP, she went on to teach and examine Dental Nurses and MFGDP candidates.

Rashmi was a proactive member in several dental and other societies. She was a regular attendee at ADI, BDA, FGDP and many other dental events. She was instrumental in founding, guiding and developing the AOG (now also known as Dental Link) to a membership base which became the third largest society in the UK. Her elegant demeanour coupled with her dynamic character and enthusiasm left an indelible mark on all that met her.

Rashmi served on the Standing Dental Advisory Committee to the Secretary of State for Health during the early 2000s. She was raised to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as a Member (MBE) in 2003 for her extensive contributions to the dental profession and charities. She was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. She was also awarded the highest Life Time Achievement Award from Dental Link in 2019 as the longest-serving active committee member of the society.

In the late 1980s, Rashmi set up her own practice in Hampstead which attracted many specialists as her associate dentists and top-quality support staff. She was an early adopter, amongst other things, in terms of décor and quality of practice presentation. She was a pioneer in using a professional design company for her Hampstead practice and created one of the most beautifully presented practices at the time. In the early 1980s, her practice featured in the British Dental Trade Associations video 'The Way Ahead' when using professional dental designers was just making a mark.

In addition to setting up a series of successful practices, she had time to raise her beloved children Anita and Neil. She passed on her values of education couched with kindness. Today, they are both well-rounded dentists in their own right with their own practices. The family has grown with gorgeous grandchildren Dylan and Sophia, who she adored and loved. We will all miss Rashmi.

Dr Manny Vasant MBE