Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Marking 40 years since opening their first practice, Dr Gordon McLean and his practice manager wife Jan reveal the success secrets of their clinical double act. By John Burfitt
In Morphett Vale, on Adelaide’s southern outskirts, Dr Gordon McLean and his wife Jan have dedicated many decades to serving patients at their Bupa Dental practice.
This year marks Gordon’s 40th year in practice, having opened his own small business in 1985. It was a few years later, however, that he admits everything changed when the workload of running the business on his own became too big a task. That’s when Jan quit her teaching career to become his practice manager.
Ever since, the husband-and-wife team have worked together successfully to grow their business through various chapters—expanding to become Southern Dental Centre then expanding again to become Bupa Dental Morphett Vale.
Jan McLean
“Dentistry wasn’t on my radar when I was younger as I’d planned to be a nurse, but never followed that path. Instead, at university I completed a Bachelor of Science, a Diploma in Education, and spent 15 years as a high school teacher on such subjects as biology, science, and maths.
“I met Gordon through volunteer work with St John Ambulance in Port Adelaide. He was in the ambulance cadets, and I was in the nursing cadets. We married in 1985 while he was working in Broken Hill, and soon after we settled together in Adelaide.
“We’d already learned how to work together in our St John volunteering days—at one point, I was his boss—so when he suggested I join his practice, it didn’t feel impossible, but I was happy teaching and not ready to make that move.
“The right timing came in 1993. I needed a change from the demands of teaching, and Gordon’s offer of the practice manager working role alongside him gave me the flexibility I couldn’t get from teaching. I took a year’s leave from teaching to see how it went and never went back.
I needed a change from the demands of teaching, and Gordon’s offer of the practice manager working role alongside him gave me the flexibility I couldn’t get from teaching. I took a year’s leave from teaching to see how it went and never went back.
Jan McLean, practice manager, Bupa Dental Morphett Vale
“Dentistry was a whole new world. I had to learn the language of the profession, develop new communication skills and understand the clinical and business sides. I trained through the Australian Association of Practice Management and completed a Practice Management certificate from the University of New England, and doing so made a real difference.
“Over the years, I’ve seen enormous changes in dentistry, especially with infection control and compliance. I like the work because you have to lead with passion, have excellent communication skills and never stop learning. Working alongside Gordon for over three decades has been a success because we listen, respect each other’s skills, and share the same commitment to helping people.
“We’ve also made big changes over those years— from Gordon’s early solo practice through to building the Southern Dental Centre, which later became Bupa Dental Morphett Vale. This is Gordon’s 40th year in dentistry and my 32nd.
“Marking the 40-year anniversary of the practice is a big milestone. It’s been a journey of growth—not just for us, but for many young people who’ve come through our doors to work with us and built the early days of their careers here. I’m proud we’ve built a place that’s had that kind of impact while being a part of the dental community.”
Gordon McLean
“I probably wasn’t the best dental patient as a kid, but after high school when I didn’t get into medicine, I chose dentistry instead, and it was the right move. I studied at the University of Adelaide, and in 1985 bought a small practice, growing it over the years.
“Early on, I juggled patient care with all the admin, staff management and compliance duties, and that was hard work. By the early 1990s, it had become too much, and I suggested to Jan who was then teaching that she join the practice as manager. “In 1993, she finally agreed, and it changed everything. She took a huge administrative load off me, allowing me to focus on treating patients.
“Jan was my first practice manager, and while it was a steep learning curve for her without a dental background, she mastered the role. Her ability to handle HR, bookkeeping, compliance, patients and the daily functioning of the practice made all the difference. We’d already proven we could work well together at St John Ambulance, so I had no doubts we would be successful together in our practice.
“In 1996 we moved into a new space and rebranded as Southern Dental Centre. Then in 2012, we sold to Dental Corp, and later rebranded again as Bupa Dental Morphett Vale.
Jan was my first practice manager, and while it was a steep learning curve for her without a dental background, she mastered the role. Her ability to handle HR, bookkeeping, compliance, patients and the daily functioning of the practice made all the difference.
Dr Gordon McLean, owner, Bupa Dental Morphett Vale
“Dentistry has changed dramatically since those early days. There are far more regulations now, especially with infection control and red tape. But Jan takes care of all that so smoothly.
“What’s kept me passionate about dentistry for 40 years is helping patients get the best outcomes. I get real satisfaction from the difference effective oral health treatment can make. I’ve always been committed to continuous learning, taking extra courses and training to expand my skills.
“Jan and I regularly review where we need to update our knowledge, so we both stay at the top of our game. We have mutual respect, communicate well, and are upfront about what each other might need to work on with some additional attention or training.
“Marking 40 years of the practice is significant because it reflects not just longevity, but also being prepared to change with the times. We’ve adapted to new technologies, new ways and patient needs, while staying focused on providing the care we offer. Best of all, we’ve done it together.”
