Dr Richard Skinner – Dentist Collins Street Melbourne
A Family Tradition
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 practising 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.
Our Practice Philosophy
The 19th Century English Surgeon Thomas Imnan said:
Practice two things in your dealings with disease: either help or do not harm the patient.
To do no harm is paramount to how all our procesess and pocedures are developed, and how we treat all our patients.
We self-audit our infection control protocols several times a year. We take part in training by the ADAVB to ensure that our standards are of the highest level.
Infection Control
Once in Dentist on Collins, you will see that we are fastidious in maintaining the highest possible level of cleanliness and infection control.
We perform daily tests on our autoclaves prior to use to ensure that it’s running properly. We track sterilised instruments and note cycle numbers on patient files.
Much of what we use is disposable, and biodegradable because we care about your protection, as well as the environment.
Our whole team regularly participates in infection control training, by accredited trainers. As a result, we are always up to date with the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.
In every health setting Hand Hygiene is essential. To ensure that every staff member at Dentist on Collins is adhering to it properly, part of our induction program includes the online learning package on the Hand Hygiene Australia website.
Microscope Enhanced Dentistry
Operating microscopes are now used more and more in general dentistry. They have proved invaluable in microsurgery, and most people are aware of the ability to reattach limbs and fingers in the medical area.
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.
A picture is worth a 1000 words, and the microscope shows on screen the problem areas requiring treatment. This leads to an appreciation by the patient for exactly what the problem is. For many new patients being able to see the problem, in their mouth, via the screen above them is the first time that they have had such a view.
The working position with the microscope enables the dentist to sit in an ergonomically neutral posture which is more comfortable for the dentist. This relates to less fatigue, a reduction in back problems, and less stress. And of course a happier dentist!