#301 Incidental — Chris O’Connor

Chris O'Connor opens up about his journey from academic burnout to building Incidental, sharing hard-won insights about workaholic tendencies, clinical mastery, and the realities of running a dental supply business. 

This episode explores the darker side of perfectionism, the complexity of clinical decision-making, and how childhood experiences shape professional drive. O'Connor discusses everything from innovative matrixing techniques to the emotional toll of litigation, offering a brutally honest perspective on modern dentistry practice.

In This Episode

00:01:00 - Newcastle move

00:01:45 - PhD research

00:03:00 - Clinical trials

00:11:15 - Career transition

00:15:10 - Workaholic tendencies

00:16:45 - Family background

00:21:25 - Workflow obsession

00:24:30 - Russian sanctions

00:26:30 - Founding Incidental

00:31:05 - Clinical weaknesses

00:36:25 - Patient experience

00:42:35 - Customer relationships

00:47:05 - Marketing approach

00:54:10 - Teaching philosophy

00:57:10 - Product development

01:02:30 - Regulatory challenges

01:04:20 - Parenting struggles

01:07:15 - Rubber dam techniques

01:12:35 - Matrix systems

01:19:50 - Blackbox thinking

01:25:25 - Complex cases

01:32:35 - Pricing structure

01:42:35 - Best lecture

01:46:50 - Future aspirations

01:48:15 - Fantasy dinner party

01:50:25 - Last days and legacy

About Chris O'Connor

Chris O'Connor is a dentist, dental supplier, and product developer based in Newcastle. He co-founded Incidental, a dental supply company known for innovative matrixing solutions and educational courses. A former clinical academic, Chris spent eight years at Newcastle Dental Hospital conducting research and teaching before transitioning to practice and business.