A well-loved dentist known as the ultimate mentor to colleagues has lost his battle with cancer.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Dr Sandy Smail, a stalwart of Templehill Dental Practice for 34 years in Troon.
The dentist died this month, less than a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. He was just 55.
His death has led to an outpouring of grief from colleagues and hundreds of patients who have paid tribute to a “terrific guy”.
Sandy has left behind his devastated wife of 22 years, Jennifer, mother Margaret and brother Gordon.
On Thursday around 100 mourners lined the streets of Templehill outside his place of work since 1987.
Sandy, originally from Glasgow, started at the Ayrshire practice in 1987 as an associate before taking over from George Morton to become principal dentist in 1990.
He worked since then alongside several other members of existing staff including Simone Auld (dentist), Alison McIntyre (head dental nurse) and Elaine Anderson (hygienist).
Sandy sold the practice to existing associate dentist Andrew Mackintosh in July 2019 to have more time with his wife.
Sandy fought the disease with chemotherapy and radiotherapy but after 10 months was told nothing more could be done.
The practice’s current principal dentist paid tribute to Sandy.
They said: “He had a great sense of humour, he was a very kind and caring individual, he did a lot of training with everyone who wanted to step up to the next level, he was a great mentor and he just had time for everyone.”
Outside of the job Sandy was also a member of Troon Round Table and kept active through cycling and swimming.
He recovered from a bad cycling accident in 2010 and got back in the saddle and cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats to celebrate his 50th birthday in 2015.
Since his death the practice where he worked has been overwhelmed by cards, flowers and home baking to lift spirits during a difficult time.
The principal dentist added: “To see that 100 people turned up to line the streets during a pandemic shows exactly what he meant to the town.
“His family really appreciated that as well.”
