Born in Birmingham, Paul qualified in dentistry at Newcastle University in 1982. Following hospital appointments in dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery in Bristol, London and Chichester, he worked in general practices on the south coast and in New Zealand before returning to the Midlands in 1988. He established a private practice in Solihull which he now combines with his university and hospital appointments.
He has been recognised by the General Dental Council as a specialist in oral surgery and completed a Masters degree in dental implantology at Sheffield University in 2005.