#94 - Canny Lad - Michael Oliver

From humble beginnings as the son of a Sunderland shipbuilder, Michael Oliver might have gone into medicine had it not been for the sage advice of a GP.

But medicine’s loss was dentistry’s gain. Michael talks about how it felt to be unexpectedly thrust into solo practice.

He talks us through moving into NHS practice back in the days when it wasn’t such a common move and lifts the lid on dentistry in the 1980s - cigarettes, ashtrays, spittoons and all.

Enjoy!

“I was cr*p at running my business in some respects. I ran it on feel...Now and then, I’d end up in my accountant’s office, with him saying: “Michael, what are you doing!” And he’d keep putting me back on track. I also had a great solicitor who limited my stupid ideas and said: “Michael, don’t do that!”   

• Michael Oliver

In This Episode

02.13 - Backstory
05.56 - Into dentistry
11.42 - Politics
15.08 - Into practice
22.52 - Expanding and going private
31.27 - Exit and aftermath
43.47 - Teamwork and empowerment
46.59 - Risk and marketing
56.09 - Photography
58.33 - Retired life
01.01.38 - Charity work
01.03.44 - Dark days
01.06.42 - Last days and legacy

About Michael Oliver

Michael qualified from Newcastle Dental School in 1983 and worked as an associate with the late Donald Hudson. When Donald retired, Michael purchased a practice in East Herrington, which he developed into a multi-surgery clinic. Michael retired in 2018 and now spends more time on his hobby as a wildlife photographer.