1951-2023

Dr Tony Druttman was a specialist in endodontics. He qualified from Leeds University Dental School in 1981, having previously had a short career as a chemical engineer. In 1987, he gained a Master's in conservative dentistry from the Eastman. He was President of the British Endodontic Society in 1994 and a visiting teacher at the Eastman Dental Institute since 2004. He lectured both in the UK and internationally.

Tony came from a family of dentists. His grandmother, born in St Petersburg before the 1917 Russian Revolution, graduated from Tartu University, now in Estonia - quite an achievement for a Jewish woman at that time. She later practised in Poland.

His father, Dr Henry Druttman, graduated in Poland before the Second World War. At the outbreak of war, he was incarcerated by the Soviets in a labour camp in Siberia before being released when the Nazis invaded Russia in 1941. He then served as a dental surgeon in the Polish Corps of the British 8th Army in the Middle East and was later granted permanent residency in the UK - just in time to register and start work as a dentist in the fledgling NHS.

Tony grew up with his two brothers (one of whom, George, also became a dentist) in Barons Court, West London, where their father had his dental practice. Tony went to Holland Park Comprehensive, the flagship comprehensive state school in England, becoming Head Boy in his final year.

After graduating from Leeds University, he joined forces with his brother George, then took over his father's practice in Barons Court when George went on to do a Master's in Chicago.

Tony developed a particular interest in endodontics and enrolled in the MSc programme at the Eastman Postgraduate Dental Hospital. He received his MSc in Restorative Dentistry in 1990. He then completed his specialisation and registration in endodontics.

He moved his practice to Wimpole Street and later Devonshire Street in London - the heartland of private medicine and dentistry. He also worked in the City of London with his brother George.

As Tony was drawn more and more into the exclusive practice of endodontics, he was one of the early enthusiasts for the use of the microscope, becoming a recognised expert in the field and editing a seminal book on that subject.

Following the end of his lease in Devonshire Street in 2022, he joined the Academy of Advanced Endodontics practice in Harley Street run by his mentee from his teaching days at the Eastman, Dr Richard Kahan.

In 2016, Tony was diagnosed with bowel cancer which spread to the liver two years later. For the five subsequent years, he stoically and courageously underwent extensive surgery, chemotherapy and a number of other interventional treatments and yet continued to practise his profession. He never let his disease affect his professional life until he felt that he had to fully retire at the beginning of this year.

Tony Druttman leaves behind an adoring family, his wife Lea and grown-up children, Helena, Ollie and Benjy, as well as three grandchildren. He also leaves the legacy as one of the most admired members of his profession and his specialty, respected and admired by his peers and referring dentists as well as remembered so very fondly by the very many patients he treated over his professional lifetime.

He died at the Royal Marsden Hospital on 14 August 2023.

Michael Zybutz and George Druttman