1928-2022

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Professor Sir David Mason, who died on 27 March 2022, made significant contributions that have had a lasting impact upon oral health care.

A graduate in Dentistry from St Andrews, and Medicine from Glasgow, David achieved Professorship at the University of Glasgow in 1967 at the age of 39 years. He was Dean of the Dental School for ten years before being appointed President of the General Dental Council between 1989 and 1994.

As Chair of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, he mentored a host of young academics who went on to impactful success within the UK and across the globe. As Dean he helped raise funds that ultimately led to the establishment of the West of Scotland Centre for Postgraduate Education, while as Convenor of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, he assured the establishment of the TC White Bequest Fund for Dentistry.

David was President of the British Society for Dental Research (BSDR) and together with a number of senior colleagues he established the British Society for Oral Medicine (BSOM). Highlights of his GDC Presidency included the establishment of a five-year BDS curriculum and the commencement of formalising continued professional development.

Internationally, David helped establish the European Association of Oral Medicine (EAOM) - now a significant force across the globe. Together with Dean Millard of the University of Michigan, he established the World Workshop in Oral Medicine (WWOM) in 1988.

David did not shirk from life. He excelled in sport, particularly golf; indeed, he represented Scotland in international golf tournaments, was a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and could easily squash upstart students in any competition. He lived to share with, and care for, others. He was an interested, encouraging and playful father, grandfather and great grandfather, devoted and caring husband to his highly supportive wife Judy for 55 years. He was dapper, organised, open and honest, welcoming and humorous. His professional achievements were recognised nationally and internationally; his sustained impact being acknowledged by his elevation from CBE to KBE in 1992. Clinicians, patients, students and the public should be thankful for the achievements of Professor David Mason - and we all should be grateful to his family for the love and support they provided to him.

S. R. Porter and A. Crighton