The bicentenary of the birth of Sir John Tomes

John Tomes was initially destined for a career in medicine but after being introduced to dental histology, changed careers and gave the first series of lectures on dentistry in Middlesex Hospital. His early academic career resulted in four major papers on the structure of teeth and bone that were read before the Royal Society, establishing his reputation as a leading histologist. He was awarded an FRS at the age of 35. The last 40 years of his life were devoted to establishing dentistry as a regulated profession with the founding of a dental hospital, examinations undertaken by the Royal College of Surgeons, a dental register and regulation by the British Dental Association. He was knighted in 1886. The bicentenary of his birth was recognised with the restoration of his grave.