The Man Behind the Smile
Kevin John ‘Joey’ Manners (29th January 1963 – 20th April 2021)
The ‘Man Behind the Smile’ was Kevin Manners, a well-loved and respected dental professional. Many of our patients will have worked with Kevin to achieve their smile goals and as the classic Nat King Cole song says he was “unforgettable in every way”.
1979 – 1984 Dental Technician Apprenticeship
After completing a five-year dental technology apprenticeship in 1984 Kevin seized the opportunity to visit a denture clinic in Toronto, Canada.
This visit was to change his views regarding dental technology because in Canada the “Denturist” (Clinical Dental Technician) has direct chair-side clinical contact with the client, helping ensure optimum results for the denture wearer.
1986 – First Kevin Manners Denture Clinic opened in Nottingham
Two years later in 1986, Kevin opened his first denture clinic in Nottingham City Centre on Castle Boulevard. Shortly afterwards he started a three-year training programme studying the clinical aspects of denture construction. This was with a Canadian Denturist College in Toronto – culminating in graduation (with Honours) at the House of Commons in London.
1990 – Elected to the British Denturist Board
Four years after graduating in 1990 and Kevin was elected to sit on the electoral board of governors of the British Denturist Board.
1996 – Voted Dental Technician of the Year
In 1996 Kevin was voted ‘Dental Technician of the Year’ by the East Midlands College of Dental Technology.
2007 – Clinical Dental Technician qualification obtained
This was the year that saw Kevin qualify as a Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) with the Royal College of Surgeons in London, and registered with the General Dental Council.
2009 – Full-service dental surgery and implant centre opened
To complement his special interest in implant-retained denture solutions and to provide a more complete service to his patients, in 2009 Kevin opened a full-service dental surgery and implant centre at his Nottingham clinic on Castle Boulevard. Both these facilities proved very popular and were greeted with great enthusiasm by both new and existing patients. With further expansion projects in Radcliffe on Trent and Mapperley Plains, Kevin also opened new denture clinics in Mansfield and Newark. To finish off a great year for Kevin, he was chosen as the 2009 winner of the Batchelor of Dentistry (BDS) award for Clinical Dental Technology.
2017 – Dr Abe suction dentures technique
In 2017 Kevin completed additional training for the Dr Abe suction denture technique to develop his skills further.
One of the most experienced denture specialists in the East Midlands
Kevin practised for over 40 years and during that time designed and fitted dentures for an estimated 15,000+ patients. He prided himself on providing a bespoke denture service, direct to the public and concentrated on obtaining optimum results regarding fit, function and cosmetics in denture construction.
A consummate professional whose passion and excitement for his work and indeed life were unparalleled. He loved his life and family with that same passion and his sad passing is an immense loss to the KMDC team. A family run business in which Kevin won’t ever be replaced but his commitment to the highest of standards and drive to repeatedly provide exceptional service continues on in his family and the Kevin Manners Denture Clinics.