Colin Hall Dexter died on 6 July 2014 and his funeral was held at St Marylebone Parish Church on 25 July at 2 pm.

Colin was one of the most influential figures in preventive dentistry and was instrumental in the formation of the British Dental Health Foundation. He was extremely well thought of, respected and loved by many people.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: 'The passing of Colin Hall Dexter sees the demise of a legend in preventive dentistry and a true friend and lifelong supporter of the British Dental Health Foundation from when he helped to set it up in 1971. It is a great shame that Colin did not live to see some of his ideas on a preventive approach to dentistry being implemented in the Health Service with the new dental contract. Colin was a pioneer of the preventive approach but had to leave the health service to implement it. He would be delighted that this approach is now being mainstreamed into patient care'.

Sally Goss, who was a dental hygienist at Colin's practice in Harley Street, said that 'his support and admiration for the work of dental hygienists knew no bounds. And he was a man so far ahead of his time with his skill in getting the preventive message over to patients.

'Colin could light up a room with his energy and dynamism.'

Dentist Lynn Walters said: 'I remember Colin as a mentor of unbounded enthusiasm in all that he did; a cultured man, and a true friend. It was a privilege to have known him'.