Mike Dunn: If You Can Take it Out, We Can Make it

North Durham is very fortunate to have many services which assist us in our daily lives. One such business, has a strong presence is the dental industry which to my surprise, is made of many different facets.

I never gave much thought to any part of dentistry other than my regular check-ups, but I recently met a denturist who explained his side of a very interesting business. Mike Dunn has been a part of Dunn Denture Clinic all of his working life. His Port Perry Clinic is located on Scugog Street, right across from John Street.

Born in Oshawa, Mike’s father, also a denturist, opened his business in 1974 in Oshawa. He was very successful, and the family enterprise grew. I asked Mike what services a denture clinic provides, and he smiled and said, “If you can take it out, we can make it.” He confirmed this relates to anything to do with dentures and mouth guards.

I assumed Mike worked in the family business while attending Paul Dwyer High School in Oshawa. He corrected me and explained, he worked for a landscaping firm as well as his parent’s clinic. He beamed, when he said his mother also worked there. “She was in charge of first impressions.” He meant she was the receptionist and office manager, but the title was also a pun for his industry.

Mike decided he wanted to be a denturist at an early age and attended George Brown College. Sadly, while he was in his final year, his father passed away. This, of course, caused a major dilemma, and fortunately, a friend of the family, who was a dentist in Bowmanville, stepped in to assist with the practice until Mike graduated.

“It was a real whirlwind for me and a lot to take on all at once,” Mike explained.

I can only imagine how difficult that time in his life must have been; recently graduating, falling into a very busy business, and dealing with the passing of his father.

Fortunately, for the business and the family, Mike’s sister also became a denturist and worked in the business with him. A few years ago, she turned her sights to become a hygienist and left the practice. “She is still in the industry, so we continue to have a great deal in common,” Mike said.

The Dunn Denture Clinic was doing well. They had a growing client list and were also doing work for dentists in Durham. Mike found he was travelling north a fair bit, to assist customers in North Durham. In 1995 decided to open a branch of his business in Port Perry.

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Watch his show, ‘Jonathan van Bilsen’s photosNtravel’, on Rogers TV, the Standard Website or YouTube.

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