Words cannot express how sad I was to learn of John’s passing.
I met John nearly 20 years ago when a work colleague of my Mum’s suggested he could help with a toothache I had. I was working in Manchester at the time and his surgery was a walk away. He saw me straight away, did a painless root canal and sent me on my way. He was like no dentist I had ever met before, kind, gentle and funny, I signed up immediately.
In 2009 I was doing some TV work and planning to get married, my teeth were far from perfect so John suggested that I think about having some cosmetic dentistry. He then introduced me to Jon Asquith from Dentechnica and the two John’s set to work on creating my new smile. It was a scary time for me as I had never had any major dental work done before but John took such wonderful care of me. I learnt so much about the profession too as he was always open to explaining things, drawing pictures and talking it through step by step. The procedure went well and John was very happy with the results. My smile, even 15 years later, still gets commented on regularly and I always say “thank you, I have a wonderful dentist who did a great job”.
John also treated my husband Wes and our daughter Alexia both of whom were so sad to hear this tragic news. Wes enjoyed talking with John about holidays and wine, where to walk in the Lakes and often joked with him about his love of wild swimming. Alexia loved nothing more than when he would blow up a blue surgical glove and draw a face on it for her to play with, always leaving his surgery with her jacket full of stickers and tips on how to hold her toothbrush.
In recent times I have joked with John about what I will do when he retires, who will look after me then? He always replied “don’t worry, I’ll be here for you” … I can’t imagine ever having a dentist like John in my life again, a man so caring he felt like an Uncle, he brightened my day whenever I saw him.
I simply wanted to put down in words how much John meant to me and my family, how much his work has impacted on my life. He was a true professional and so skilled in his trade and most importantly a lovely man. We will never forget him.
Sending a big white SMILE, which was all down to John, to all of you right now.
With love from Rebekah Erlam and Family xxx
Rebekah Erlam
19th June 2024