A Belfast-born dentist who built a successful career as a dentist and academic in the United States has died at the age of 92.

Dr Andrew Dixon, a former dean of the school of dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), passed away on 28 September. His ashes have now been returned to his home town of Lurgan, Co Armagh, following a memorial service at the end of November.

The University Flag at UCLA was flown at half mast on 7 December as a mark of respect for
Dr Dixon, who retired from the university in 1992. A spokesman for the UCLA School of Dentistry said: “During his time as dean, Dr Dixon made innovation a priority, while placing the same importance on fulfilling the mission of the school, which was to train dentists to provide quality dental care in California and beyond.”

Dr Dixon qualified from Queen’s University Belfast and worked in general practice in Bangor in the 1950s before moving first to England and then settling in the United States in the 1960s.