CDA past president and champion of dental care access, Brian Edward Scott, DDS, died Nov. 28 in Gardnerville, Nevada, at the age of 75.
A native Californian, Scott was born in Oakland and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1973. He went on to dental school at Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry in Cleveland, Ohio, completing his study there in 1978.
A distinguished career and a warm demeanor
Following dental school, Scott joined the U.S. Navy and served on active duty in the Navy Dental Corp from 1978-1981. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserves, achieving the rank of captain, until 2000.
In 1982, Scott returned to California, entering private practice at Palo Alto Dental Group. He enjoyed a 35-year career there until his retirement in 2017.
Scott was known for his witty and warm demeanor with patients and staff. He was an engaging conversationalist who had many areas of interest, one of those being music. He enthusiastically selected and played a range of music in his dental practice for patients and staff members.
Even after retirement, Scott’s patients, staff and dental colleagues held a special place in his heart.
Leadership locally and nationally
During his first year of private practice, Scott became active in organized dentistry. Locally, he provided leadership in the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society. At the state level, Scott was a CDA member who served on the Executive Committee for five years before becoming president in 2008. He was a CDA Foundation trustee for six years and additionally served as the ADA’s second and first vice president, then as ADPAC director from 2013-17.
Scott was instrumental in shaping CDA’s efforts to study and reduce barriers to dental care in California. Along with filling leadership roles, he volunteered for the Foundation’s CDA Cares events, providing dental treatment to community members with limited health care access.
Scott is survived by his wife, Dr. Janice Scott. Together, they donated generously to the CDA Foundation. Along with Janice, he is survived by six children and stepchildren (Jeffrey, Eric, Christopher, Allen, Stephen and Elise), 11 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial service planned for February
A memorial service to honor Scott is planned for Feb. 9, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Tierrasanta Seventh-day Adventist Church at 11260 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the CDA Foundation to support its mission to improve the oral and overall health of all Californians.