Words by Emeritus Professor Susan Higham and Dr Tony Preston.
It is with profound sadness to report the passing of Mike Edgar, aged 84, on 30th January 2025.
Mike received his dental training at Newcastle Dental School, graduating in 1968. Following a year as a house surgeon, he was awarded a Nuffield Fellowship and studied for an Honours degree in Physiology. As part of this he worked on a laboratory-based project in oral physiology under the supervision of Professor Neil Jenkins and his passion for research began. In 1966, Mike was awarded a prestigious MRC Fellowship to study for a PhD in aspects of cariology and most notably conducted the first study on dental plaque fluid.
Mike became a Lecturer in Oral Physiology at the University of Newcastle in 1968, a post he held until 1977, before being promoted to Senior Lecturer. During this time, he spent two sabbaticals in the US as a Visiting Scientist at the Eastman Dental Centre in Rochester, New York and at the National Institute for Dental Research in Bethesda, Maryland.
In 1982, Mike moved to the University of Liverpool as Professor of Dental Science. He retired from this post in 1996 but continued as an Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow, supporting and championing dental research. During Mike’s career, he held many senior leadership roles including President of the British Society for Oral and Dental and Founding President of the Oral Biology Group (BSODR) President of the Cariolgy Group, Member of the Board of Directors and Member of Council for the International Association for dental Research (IADR) , Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA), a member of the dental health and science committee and accreditation panel for dentifrices food and drinks for the British Dental Association (BDA) and many more in the UK and worldwide. In 1992 Mike was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and in 1997 he was awarded the ORCA Rolex Prize for his outstanding contribution to dental research.
Mike supervised many PhD and Research Masters students, who were privileged to benefit from his sharp, brilliant mind and willingness to always share his knowledge and wisdom in such a kind, calm and patient way. Always insisting on honesty and integrity in his dealings, he was an excellent mentor and provided the best possible supervisory experience. He took a great personal joy in seeing the success of his postgraduate students and staff as they progressed in their careers, many of whom became Professors, Senior Clinical academics and researchers.
The contributions Mike made to the fundamental science of the carious process are manifold and resulted in numerous high-quality publications. His talents however lay way beyond dental science, he was extremely well read, was an accomplished musician, playing the Viola and since retirement had learnt to play the Northumbrian pipes. He had a great passion for music and arts, history and philosophy.
Mikes was a life well lived, and he belonged to a rare group of scholars and gentlemen. His caring and supportive nature will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Christine, their three children, Abi, Tom, and Jim and five grandchildren all of whom he was immensely proud.