The 57-year-old dedicated 33 years of his life to the Blackburn dental practice, watching families grow in his chair.

Karl Tuzio cuts his retirement cake

Karl said: “It’s been such a good time. I really liked being a family dentist.

“I’ve seen families across generations, they were kids and now they’re bringing their kids.

“I’m proud of it and that’s what I’m going to take with me.

“That’s what matters to me, not the money.”

Karl, who was born in Billinge, near St Helens, graduated from the University of Manchester with a BDS in dentistry in 1988.

Immediately after completing his course, Karl joined Bolton Road Surgery as a professional trainee, being taken under the wing of Stuart Marsden who owned the practice at the time.

Shortly after his debut, dental nurses Michelle Williams and Linzi Tiffin were also hired, and they remained with the practice throughout Karl’s career.

Karl with dental nurses (L) Michelle Williams and (R) Linzi Tiffin who have accompanied him throughout his career

After completing his internship, Karl became a partner before buying out part of the firm in 1995.

It was then sold in 2016, but Karl remained in the practice as an associate dentist and has now retired six years later.

Karl added: “Dentists these days are nomadic. They never have time to put down roots and build that trust with patients.

“It’s something that’s always been important to me.

“That’s what made this place so successful. Over the years, people have learned to trust me.

“Of course I wanted to be good at dentistry, but the other thing that was really important was doing it right so people were comfortable when they came to see me.”

Lancashire Dental staff said: ‘Karl will be truly missed by all of us, in fact we already do. He devoted much of his life to the practice.

“We wish him the best for his retirement.”