When the author studied at the Royal Dental Hospital from 1957 to 1961, John Hovell was a highly respected teacher and consultant, very popular with both patients and undergraduates. Hovell uniquely practised two widely different specialties at consultant level: oral surgery and orthodontics. Moreover, his story is one of a great dental clinician, a dental politician and a charismatic and caring man.
Keywords: Dental politics; Oral surgeons; Orthodontists.
© The Author(s) 2014.