#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 - Backstory05.56 - Into dentistry11.42 - Politics15.08 - Into practice22.52 - Expanding and going private31.27 - Exit and aftermath43.47 - Teamwork and empowerment46.59 - Risk and marketing56.09 - Photography58.33 - Retired life01.01.38 - Charity work 01.03.44 - Dark days01.06.42 - 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.