‘A larger than life character’: Peter Natt reflects on the life of Stephen Hall, a dental technician of Hall and Natt Ltd, after his sad passing following a battle with cancer.
Stephen undertook his training in dental technology at the Bloomfield Dental Laboratory in Birmingham.
He gained his final City & Guilds exam and then continued his postgraduate training at Austenal in Koln, Germany. Here, he undertook a course in the use of Vitallium cobalt chrome alloys, microbond, and crown and bridge bonded ceramics.
He was also taught about the Luxene prosthetic system – an injectable nylon prosthetic base material which was centrifuged in to moulds. It was an alternative much favoured by patients who suffered an intolerance to acrylic resins.
Committed to his profession
On completion of his training, Stephen joined Hall and Natt Ltd. It was initially based in Marylebone High Street, Central London, and then moved to Holmfield Road in Wimbledon, South West London.
Hall and Natt Ltd had been founded by his father, Stanley Hall, and Ernest Natt.
It had a reputation for manufacturing first class cobalt chrome castings using the Austenal Vitallium alloy system. This system was regarded as one of the best alloys of the day and was developed by Austenal from the jet engine industry.
Hall and Natt Ltd had a large customer base of dental surgeons and dental laboratories, all of which recognised their consistent high standard of workmanship.
In addition, Hall and Natt Ltd trained numerous dental technicians in their dental laboratory – a number of which are still working within the profession.
Stephen then went on to form the Advanced Prosthetics Group which consisted of the amalgamation of five dental laboratories. After this, he furthered his career by becoming a director of PWS Direct.
He then became a consultant to a number of dental laboratories continuing to work in his chosen profession until his ill health prevented him from working any longer.
An amazing personality
Stephen was never short of putting forwards his opinion on matters concerning dental technology, both at the DLA London monthly local group meetings and also at the DLA annual general meetings.
Dental technology to Stephen was both a vocation and a profession. He enjoyed every aspect of his profession.
In addition, he was always happy to assist his clients with any issues that they had, or help newly qualified dental surgeons with any technical issues that they required the benefit of his many years of experience to resolve.
He particularly enjoyed meeting with his clients and their patients so as to assist them in ensuring a successful treatment plan was embarked on.
Stephen had an amazing personality which drew people to him. He was definitely a larger than life character always enjoying the better things in life!
Stephen tragically succumbed to cancer four years ago. He was treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital before being transferred to St Raphael’s Hospice. Here, staff helped him with his end of life care.
Stephen was married to Penny for 42 years. They had two children, Anna and Jonathan, and five grandchildren.
I am sure that all those that knew Stephen would wish to send his family their fullest sympathies on this very sad occasion.
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