Today I handed over the reins as the {my}dentist group,the worlds biggest dental corporate, become the new owners of Oliver's Dental Studio.
For nearly thirty of those years it has been a privilege to be the Principal of Oliver's Dental Studio in Sunderland.I consider it humbling to have shared that large chunk of life with some of the most talented dentists and support staff in any dental practice in the north.Together we have achieved remarkable things with the Studio,a facility that can hold its head high and has a reputation within the profession of dentistry on a national level.
After thirty years I am ready to hand over the baton as we become one of the flagship practices in the portfolio of this national company.I am particularly energised by the thought of continuing to work as part of this wonderful team of clinicians as an associate for several years to come..... but without the pressure of running such a large dental facility.
It has been a remarkable journey for me from qualification in 1983 at Newcastle University Dental School.
My thoughts in this blog will be dominated by gratitude for the people I have come into contact with through dentistry,many who have become very good friends.
It all started with the excellent staff and lecturers at the Newcastle University,a dental school with such an outstanding reputation in dentistry. I gained myself a degree that I was so proud of,studying with 75 students ,many who remain friends today.I value in particular the friendship of one of that talented year,Gary Stacey who I still work with to this today.A valuable friend indeed and a great dentist to have had as part of our team for so many years.
Following graduation comes the big step into the wide world of dentistry and the beginning of a dental career. I was very fortunate to have been offered an associate position at the then principal Donald Hudson's well respected practice which later became Oliver's.
I learnt a lot from this lovely man who taught me the importance of customer service and above all a sense of humour in what can be a trying environment of the dental surgery. Donald unfortunately developed health problems and allowed me the privilege at a young age of buying the practice from him. At 26 this was quite a commitment for the then young dentist and his wife as we moved into a lovely five bedroomed house and I became the principal of the attached dental surgery.
At this point I feel it might be nice to thank my bank manager in those days Alan Griffin and the bank that has been so wonderfully supportive of me over the years,National Westminster. Without their belief and backing the project would never have become what we have today.
I must also introduce at this time the main reason I have been lucky to achieve what I have in my life and that is the unwavering support of my parents.Without their remarkable backing of security of their house against a bank loan this story would not be being typed today.I can never come close to repaying the belief they had in me.
That support never wavered over all the years I have owned the Studio. Without my fathers guidance and work ethic the progress would have been very much slower.His talents as an electrician have been a major help amongst so many other skills he has as a valuable member of the team as our Mr Fixit for so many years. Thanks mam and dad, you have been amazing.
As the years passed I have been so fortunate to work with so many talented people as the staff grew to the near thirty team we have today. From the two dentist team we were in 1983 we have seven dentists and many more in our support team of therapists ,hygienists,nurses and reception staff. It is a pleasure to walk through the door every morning,their energy is uplifting.
Thanking everyone individually is impossible but Im grateful to each and everyone of the current staff and the many who have been part of the team previously.The reputation we have at Olivers today comes from the efforts of all who have worked here over the years.The investment everyone has made in the Studio will be long remembered by the patients and will remain part of the history of health care at the Studio.I think we can all be very proud of ourselves.
So we have grown and grown to what stands as Olivers Dental Studio today....
The new era is incredibly exciting as the {my}dentist group have big plans as we join them as one of their many flagship practices. We will become a centre of excellence for them and look forward to expanding as a referral centre for dental implants,periodontology and rapid tooth alignment.
We have come a long way....
I can't hope to thank everyone in this blog and forgive me if I overlook someone. Everyone who has come into contact with the studio over the 30 years has made a contribution to a facility I and I hope Sunderland is proud of.
I would however like to mention one or two people who have really have gone the extra mile for us and for me in particular...
My lawyer Ken Stenger has been remarkable in his professionalism in the long road to deal completion. On top of that he is a great friend.I will be forever grateful to him.
Tony and Cally Gedge have been inspirational over the last 5 years and have changed me as a person and energised the Studio. Marketing Pirates I thank you.
Chris Wooley of Henry Schein
Colin and Peter our Studio engineers
Arthur Watson my porcelain technician who has been outstanding
David Worthy a hugely missed friend of the Studio
Keith Pullan of Pullan Barnes
John Fearn of Practice financial Management
David Cook of St James Place
I could thank the whole of the north east and Im so sorry if Ive missed anyone but I would like in closing I would like to give special thanks to...
Practice manager Jo Barella as loyal and supportive a friend as I could ever wish for
Carol Archer who has been magnificent as our hygienist for over a quarter of a century and has endured the most difficult of times and is still as good as it gets.
Nicola Peverley and Julie Hart remarkable members of our team for so many years.
All of the brilliant dentists and incredibly loyal staff and so many who have worked and given so much in the past as team members and who have moved on.
and finally the lady who means so much to me and has helped keep it real for 32 years my wonderful wife Elizabeth. I couldn't have done this without her.
So proud
Michael
