Dear Members,
It is with regret that we are to notify you of the passing of Mr Norman Kidd, at the age of 92. The IMPT would like to express our condolences to his family and friends. Norman's granddaughter, Charlotte, has written an obituary which is published below.
R.I.P.
Norman Kidd a former senior instructor in prosthetic dentistry at the University of Leeds Dental School and Hospital, passed away on 16th November 2020 aged 92. Norman’s skills were in mechanical dentistry and were recognised by the late Professor T. Talmage Read, warden of the Dental school and hospital in Leeds 1928-1959.
Recognising his special talents he was invited to design, equip and staff a new dental laboratory known as the ‘Laboratory for New and Advanced Dental Mechanical Techniques’ under the care of Professor Read. Ground breaking research in 1956 led to the implantation of metal in the human body at Leeds. This was the first introduction of Sub Mandibular Dental Implants into the human body in the north of England. These implants were in situ for over 25 years.
Among Norman’s other introductions were vacuum techniques in the dental laboratory including vacuum forming plastic sheet for jaw fractures and hollow box obturators for cancer patients. Norman designed a new dental laboratory in the Worsley building which is now known as the Dental Institute. Alongside Professor Hopper and Mr Glyn Wreakes, Norman provided an artificial voice for a patient with poliomyelitis. This case became famous through Norman’s design of the foot splint whereby the patient used her big toe to speak. Perhaps one of Norman’s most satisfying inventions.
The inventors of Patient Operator User Mechanisms for Physically Handicapped Persons (POSSUM) then invited Norman to design a mobile laboratory to supply and service these devices for severely handicapped patients.
Norman received various awards and recognition through his career including the A.C.Roberts Award for the Best Scientific and Technical Display in Aberdeen and was also awarded with the Dennison Award from the dental technology community for his outstanding achievements. Acknowledging Norman’s achievements in dentistry, The ‘Kidd Award’ is awarded at the biennial congress for the Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists for outstanding achievements in the field of implantology. Norman was very proud of his work with the institute and continued following their work for the rest of his life. The institute equally said they are very proud of his association with their organisation, and that is why he will always be celebrated by them. His name lives long in the profession and will continue to do so.
Norman leaves his dear wife Joyce, two sons, Simon and Jonathan and five grandchildren all of whom he loved and held very dear.
