In memory of Dr Julian O’Brien In this edition of the Western Articulator, we pay tribute to Dr Julian O’Brien. Julian was born in Victoria and moved to WA to enlist in the dental school and fulfil his long-held ambition to be a dentist. From his early childhood, Julian had expressed an interest to become a dentist. It was revealed in his eulogy that when he was three or four years' old, his father found him with an old-fashioned brace and bit, drilling into a brick. When his father said: ‘What are you doing with that?’ Julian answered, ‘I want to be a dentist!’ It was at dental school that Julian met and became close friends with Dr Chris Barker. Chris recalls there were over 100 students enrolled and only 26 places in second year. “It was tremendously competitive, and we were both very pleased that we got through the rest of the course.” Chris says Julian’s talent as a dentist was clear early on. “He was extremely dextrous and very talented intellectually and at the practical side of things,” Chris says. “He was never happy unless he could really investigate something thoroughly.”
“Julian was awesome. He was driven by his own will to do the very best that he could do. He also was someone who would think outside of the square. An amazing practitioner and person generally.” Chris says Julian was adept at inserting implants and he would often refer his patients to Julian. “I also felt very comfortable as a patient of his,” Chris says. Richard adds Julian’s patients were very loyal. “I am still principal dentist at the practice and I’m often chatting to patients who speak very fondly of years gone by and talk about some of Julian’s funny ways.
He was very good at putting people at ease, very calm and humorous with it.
“Patients are always reflecting on the great work he did. He was very good at putting people at ease, very calm and humorous with it. He was a very Dr Richard Williams recalls meeting Julian within a few days of arriving in Australia, back in early 1992. warm character and a very popular dentist.”
“I was looking for a job in dentistry, having qualified in the UK,” Richard recalls. “There were very few jobs at that time, and I went through the Yellow Pages and was cold calling dental practices and there happened to be a job at his practice (Aardent Dental Centre in Victoria Park).”
Richard says as well as a mentor, Julian was also a great mate. “Even after he retired, he lived next door to the practice and I would go over for a coffee and a chat. He was very forward thinking and always contemplating novel solutions to problems. He was a very good and guiding influence in things outside of dentistry as well.
Initially, Richard worked with Julian as an associate self-employed dentist, and later became Julian’s business partner, working together for over 25 years. “He was a great emailer – that will bring a wry smile to many a person’s face. He was if Richard says Julian was an amazing practitioner. anything sometimes a bit overactive with the “When I first met Julian, I was totally blown away emails,” he laughs. by his ability,” he recalls. “His level of skill and his dedication to dentistry was awe inspiring to me as a young dentist and totally formative for me. I was very much the beneficiary of his great knowledge and expertise which led me down the right path. 16
EDITION 7 | 2021 Western Articulator
Away from dentistry, Julian was a keen diver and underwater photographer. He was also known for his woodworking talent. “Julian had a terrific workshop which was very
