Dr. Richard Skinner

Richard is a graduate of University of Otago, Otago New Zealand, which has an internationally renowned reputation for excellence in teaching and research. He prides on practicing quality dentistry, aided via the use of an operating microscope. Richard knew he wanted to be a dentist from eleven years of age. His paternal grandfather and uncle were dentists. In fact, his uncle was both a doctor and a dentist, following a tradition that started in Somerset England in the late 1600s. The first known Dr Skinner from Richard’s ancestors was Johannes Skinner “Medicus” who died in 1712. Johannes was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Ash Priors. A beautiful picturesque village and parish in Somerset England. Since that time there have been doctors and dentists in every generation with some notable ones along the way. Richard’s great-great-great-grandfather was mentioned in Jane Austin’s novel Northanger Abbey chapter two. His great grandfather's brother assembled a series of lectures on Midwifery and early-child development which was published in 1832 after he returned to England from India where he was a surgeon with the Bengal Lancers. Richard has a keen interest in and practical knowledge of fitting and turning and welding. Cars have always been a passion of his as is photography. He loves travelling, and visiting wineries, galleries, and places of natural beauty. Richard was one of the first general dentists in Melbourne to use a microscope in all aspects of dental practice. He introduced them into his practice in 2000 and believes that they are an essential tool for quality dental practice. The benefits of using a microscope in dentistry are the range of magnifications that are possible. This enables the dentist to locate trouble areas before they are apparent to the naked eye.