The art of dentistry
02 May 2025
Jeremy Evans (11713) is slightly distracted. His energetic dog, Barnaby, has just bolted out a gate inadvertently left open.
He already has plenty of freedom to roam on the lifestyle block at Balcairn near Amberley in North Canterbury that Jeremy and his partner have called home for the past 15 years. They’ve turned the once bare block into a lush park-like setting befitting their renovated villa.
Away from their six hectare garden, Jeremy is a dentist, working at Bradley Wood in Merivale for more than two decades.
He describes his career choice as a combination of science and art.
“It’s a mix of creativity and helping people over their fears. You still come across a lot of people who are scared coming to the dentist. It’s great to be able to allay their fears and help them with this aspect of their health.”
During his career, Jeremy has seen considerable change in dentistry. Amalgams are infrequently used today, x-rays are digital, materials are more advanced, digital scanners help with lab work, and people are far more conscious about the colour of their teeth.
But he says it’s important to manage expectations.
“I always try to be honest. Patients might want film star teeth but sometimes it’s just not possible.”
Although now on the CCOBA committee, Jeremy has already been actively involved with helping to organise events, most particularly the annual Car Rally in Canterbury. An avid classic car enthusiast, Jeremy has eight cars, including an old Volvo P1800, an Austin-Healey and a Bentley S1.
Jeremy is keen to breathe new life into the Tuis, the official alumni group for LGBTQIA+ Old Boys formed by now Board Chair Jeremy Johnson to acknowledge and affirm the place of gay, bisexual, and transgender Old Boys as part of the Christ's College community.
“The CCOBA is all about connecting Old Boys with each other and the school. The Tuis is simply another way of fostering this connection for another group of Old Boys. The CCOBA wants to offer events that appeal to all Old Boys and the Tuis has been another great way of reaching more of our members.”
