Bernard qualified from Newcastle University in 1957 and whilst there he thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of undergraduate life, taking on a variety of jobs to fund himself, including hospital porter, taxi driving and the odd bit of poker.

After qualifying he moved back to his native Hertfordshire with his now wife Lucienne and established a practice in the family home. Working all hours, often until 10 o'clock, meant the practice was rapidly very successful and so he relocated to dedicated premises. This meant that patients would no longer be greeted by Bruno, the family St Bernard dog. Patients would often famously tell these stories to his son David some 40 years later.

He was ahead of his time in that he would often work two or three chairs, allowing examinations to be done while the local was taking effect. He had a hygienist Alison Williamson from the early 70s and practised indirect restorative quadrant dentistry (crown and bridge at the time) in a time when extensive caries meant large amalgams where the norm. He also had a 'spaceline' chair that also allowed four-handed dentistry when many colleagues were still practising with little if any chairside assistance. He was proud to practice within the NHS (as well as privately) for over 40 years.

In 1990 his youngest son David, who also qualified at Newcastle and was mentored by Bernard's contemporary and legend of Newcastle Dental School, Dr Izydor Geffner (or Geffy to those that knew him), joined Bernard and the practice was re-branded as Bloomsbury Dental and relocated. Bernard and David continued working together until Bernard's eventual retirement in 2001. After 44 years in practice many of his original patients still remained.

Bernard continued his involvement in dentistry and with David established an orthodontic practice to help with the demand for this in the local area. Sadly Bernard suffered with Parkinson's disease dementia (Lewy body disease) for many years and his health deteriorated; although he fought on until his sad death in March 2014.

He was survived by his wife, Lucienne (but sadly for only 6 weeks), his beloved four boys Stuart, Philip, Nicholas and David, and eight grandchildren. He will be sadly missed but still very much loved.