David Owen Morris

BDS MSc FDS MOrth FDSOrth RCS(Eng) EBO 

David Morris sadly died on October 14 2024 aged 61 years old after a 2 year battle with cancer which he bravely fought. 

David was the oldest of three children who were all born in the USA. He had two younger brothers, Richard and Bryn. David was born in New York and was brought up in Boulevard Gardens, Queens before his family returned to North Wales in his early teens. He knew that he wanted to be a dentist from the age of 12 and after receiving orthodontic treatment from Richard Parkhouse, his interest in the specialty was ignited. 

He completed his school education in North Wales before enjoying his undergraduate training at the Birmingham Dental School (BDH), receiving his BDS in 1985. He stayed in Birmingham until 1988, where he completed his year of vocational training and went on to work both in practice and in the Oral Surgery department of BDH. 

David took a resident Senior House Officer post in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Orthodontics in Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon (1988-1990). He then completed a 2 year post as a registrar (OMFS) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital (1990-1992). 

He commenced a postgraduate career Registrar post in Orthodontics in 1992 at The Royal London Hospital and Whipps Cross Hospital and was trained by Prof JP Moss, Mr RT Lee, Mr DD DiBiase and Mr S Ash. He then moved to Yorkshire to complete his 3 year Senior Registrar Orthodontic Training (1995-1998). David received a BOS research/Audit fund as well as a grant from C.L.A.P.A which helped to support his Cleft research project where he visited Oslo and his research was supported by Dr Gunvor Semb. The Yorkshire Orthodontic community have been blessed with David’s decision to remain in Yorkshire for the remainder of his career.

David and Alison

David was always a precise clinician with a real attention to detail and this lead him to being one of the first British orthodontists to pass the European Board of Orthodontics exam in 2012. As well as being very busy in his job as consultant in Seacroft Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute, he was also very active as an examiner. He was a sought-after examiner for the ISFE (intercollegiate specialty fellowship exam) for many years, as well as a MOrth examiner. David’s skills also included committee work. He was chairman of the BOS Clinical Standards Committee and more recently elected to the Board of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of RCS England.  He was also keen teacher and lecturer, perhaps best known in the north of England for his involvement in the Tip-Edge course for many years. More recently, he was working on a textbook for senior trainees.  

David had a strong work ethic and was dedicated to his career in orthodontics, but he also had a sharp sense of humour. He was a loyal consultant colleague who was loved and admired by many trainees over the years.  

David leaves behind two children, Elliot and Kate and his wife, Alison, who made his life very happy in his last years. 

Nadine Houghton