John Hooper (1916 – 2008)

Born in 1916, Hooper attended Ardingly College before qualifying in dentistry at the Royal Dental Hospital. After graduation he joined the orthodontic department until the outbreak of the Second World War. Hooper joined the Army Dental Corps but was captured in Belgium during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. He spent the next five years as a prisoner of war. Much of his time was spent at Stalag Luft 3 where he continued to practice dentistry. Hooper returned to the UK in May 1945 and went back to the orthodontic department at the Royal. There he was working with Clifford Ballard who had been appointed on a full time position.

In 1950 Hooper was appointed as the first NHS consultant orthodontist to the Wessex Regional Health Board at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The increased demand for treatment after the introduction of the NHS meant that general dental practitioners would have to be involved in providing treatment. Hooper established training courses and provided advice to GDPs, a model which was implemented throughout Britain.

In 1960 Hooper was a founding member of the Consultant Orthodontists Group, where he served as President in 1970. He held the role of BSSO President in 1967. Hooper was also an advisor to the Dental Estimates Board which regulated the provision of orthodontic treatment. Through these appointments Hooper played a significant role in the provision and development of orthodontic treatment.