THE past chairman of Optident Ltd in Ilkley, David Butterfield, has won an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Dentistry’ at the Dental Industry Awards 2019.

The Dental Industry Awards is the only celebration in the UK to acknowledge and reward achievements within the dental industry. Mr Butterfield attended a ceremony in London on November 8 to accept the accolade.

Optident Ltd was formed in 1987 by Mr Butterfield along with his late wife Kathy, son Tim and daughter Tessa. The company, which provides high quality, innovative and clinically supported dental products, was forged on the back of Mr Butterfield’s extensive career in the dental business and the knowledge and the relationships he had built globally.

Optident still to this day pioneers’ innovations in the UK and has always had an international reputation as a leader in its field. Now as part of a global leader in medical supplies, the company continues to go from strength to strength lead by Tim Butterfield and his team.

As a crusader in this field, David Butterfield injected millions of his own money to help teeth whitening products be legalised for use by dentists in the UK. He changed the face of dentistry in so many ways and subsequently is an inspiration and a celebrated global ambassador for the dental world. Optident has employed many local people in the Ilkley, as well as a UK wide sales team.

Mr Butterfield said: “It’s important for dentists to be kept up to date with products, and therefore our focus on further education has proved to be an invaluable asset to the company and our customers.”

Mr Butterfield, of Ilkley, had the full support of his devoted wife Kathy, who sadly lost her fight against cancer in 2018.