Tributes have been paid to leading Island dentist, Dr Philip Lewis, whose death was announced this week.

Dr Lewis was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours earlier this year, receiving his medal from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in September, in recognition of services to oral cancer and the Mouth Cancer Foundation. He was involved with the charity since its inception and devoted his career to highlighting the importance of checking for mouth cancers. He was continuing to educate the dental profession, and the general public, right up until a couple of weeks ago.

Dr Philip’s involvement in dentistry began when he qualified in London in 1977. He has worked in general practice and as a clinical assistant in the hospital service. He also took a keen interest in postgraduate education, development of the dental team and public awareness of dental issues.

He was on the editorial advisory board of both Private Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry Today magazines, and received awards for commitment to postgraduate education, as well as belonging to a number of professional dental societies.

Dr Philip ran the Avenue Road Dental Practice in Freshwater and was a former president of the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Mouth Cancer Foundation founder, Dr Vinod Joshi, said: “Philip was a terrific champion of highlighting the importance of checking for mouth cancer. 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.”

He is survived by his family, including wife Joy and daughter Chloe.