Dr Philip Lewis MBE, the tireless campaigner who ‘changed the narrative’ round consciousness of mouth most cancers within the UK, has died.
An esteemed clinician and highly-regarded educator, he was the definition of a profitable dentist – however it’s his work round head and neck cancers for which he’ll maybe be greatest remembered.
It was a mission born nearly by probability. A lecture attended on oral medication throughout the Nineties offered a ‘lightbulb moment’ about how dental groups may enhance oral most cancers outcomes. The lightbulb turned a ardour: the fervour turned a calling. He went on to spend nearly 30 years writing and talking on the significance of early analysis and detection of oral cancers.
‘No activity more important’
This was work that saved lives. In educating common dental professionals on their obligations, Philip Lewis was a part of a motion that reworked the dental occupation’s angle in direction of detecting oral cancers.
He was a vital a part of the Mouth Most cancers Basis (MCF) virtually from its inception, turning into an envoy of the charity in 2013 after serving to develop and launch the Mouth Most cancers Screening Accreditation Scheme.
By 2020, he went one step additional, taking up the function of president of the MCF. Philip – who as soon as declared ‘I can think of no activity more important for dental professionals than the early detection of mouth cancer’ – continued enjoying an integral function within the organisation even after his time period ended. He was actively lecturing till a couple of weeks earlier than his passing.
When Philip Lewis was introduced with an MBE in September 2024 for companies to oral most cancers and the Mouth Most cancers Basis, it was a becoming recognition for a life spent in service to a trigger he noticed as higher than himself.
Even when acknowledging how ‘delighted and humbled’ he was to simply accept the honour, he noticed no time to relaxation on his laurels.
‘Onwards and upwards,’ he wrote. ‘There’s nonetheless so much to do to extend consciousness about mouth most cancers and the steps folks can take to keep away from it or at the least detect it rapidly if it happens.’
Unhurried prevention
For all his fierce dedication to preventing oral most cancers, Philip had character, drive and expertise to spare for the broader world of dentistry, too.
From first qualification from King’s Faculty London in 1977, he hardly ever stood nonetheless. He labored as a scientific assistant within the hospital service earlier than getting into common dentistry.
He opened a observe on the Isle of Wight in 2006 that will ship, in his phrases, ‘unhurried’ dental care.
However within the wake of the then-new 2006 NHS contract, Avenue Street was no bizarre observe. Wholly personal, targeted on prevention, and with oral well being at its coronary heart, it was a mirrored image of its principal – and in its adoption of hygiene-led care, set out an strategy that many practices wrestle to observe almost twenty years on.
He turned an skilled on observe administration as a lot as scientific excellence, with a straightforward grasp of each that noticed him welcomed on to the editorial boards of the journals Non-public Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry At the moment. Serving as a director of the British Academy of Beauty Dentistry for a number of years was adopted by time as common secretary of the European Society of Beauty Dentistry, selecting up quite a few accolades for his dedication to postgraduate training.
Fittingly, he spent a few years as a media spokesperson for the British Dental Affiliation (BDA) – treating wider audiences on TV and radio to the identical accessible, educated talking fashion that graced his lectures.
Philip Lewis: excellence, integrity and dedication
Dr Philip Lewis’ passing has been met by an outpouring of respect from the occupation.
‘Philip was a terrific champion of highlighting the importance of checking for mouth cancer,’ stated MCF founder Dr Vinod Joshi OBE. ‘He was also a Mouth Cancer Foundation stalwart being involved from very early on supporting our charity goals and dreams. This is such sad news.’
A press release from MCF learn: ‘Philip leaves behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and dedication. He might be remembered as an envoy and previous president of the Mouth Most cancers Basis, a wonderful dentist, a visionary chief, and a cherished member of the dental and head and neck most cancers group. His life was outlined by his love for serving to others and his relentless pursuit of teaching everybody about mouth most cancers.
‘Philip’s reminiscence will endlessly encourage those that knew him and people who proceed to push the boundaries of what’s attainable in elevating consciousness of mouth most cancers.’
Krishan Joshi, founding father of Dental Focus and a trustee of the MCF, stated: ‘Philip’s private mission was to alter the narrative. His mission would result in him being essentially the most lively scientific ambassador for the Basis and main many life-saving initiatives.
‘This remarkable man was the catalyst to the strong continuity of the Foundation and in making an enduring leading charity that means so much to so many. I am truly grateful and thankful for his essential contribution. The charity wouldn’t be what it’s at this time with out him.’