The Cove Family

The Cove family's connection to dentistry dates back over a century, even before the founding of Newcastle Dental School. Spanning five generations and involving 15 dentists, including myself, Callum Cove, a recent BDS 2025 graduate.

Our story begins with Ernest William Cove (b.1859), a publican in Jarrow. One of his tenants was employed by an American organisation, canvassing door to door for patients with toothache. Anyone requiring treatment was subsequently visited by an "operator". The tenant suggested that Ernest should himself become a Canvasser. He agreed and travelled throughout the North of England by horse and trap, going as far afield as Bootle. After a while Ernest had a friend show him how to extract teeth and so he combined "canvassing" with "operating" on a self-employed basis. He later founded his own dental practice in Gateshead.

Ernest and his wife had 13 children, but only three—Henry Bertram, Edith Mary, and Norman Harker—survived into adulthood.  Henry worked with his father as a dentist.   In time Henry’s two sons worked at the practice as dental 'mechanics' performing much of the technical work. Edith’s son, Ernest Albert Cove-Jones (1907-1986), qualified as LDSRFPS Glasgow in 1938 and practiced his entire career in Newcastle at Benton Four Lane Ends. John Cove-Jones (1944-1973), Ernest Albert’s son, studied dentistry at Edinburgh University where he qualified in 1967. He worked in England and South Africa before emigrating to Boston, USA where he completed a Master’s degree in Periodontology before opening a practice in Vancouver.

Norman Harker Cove (1899-1985) studied dentistry at Newcastle in Handysides Arcade. He qualified as LDSRCS (Eng) in 1927. Family stories tell of how Norman travelled by coal boat to London to sit the examinations.  He joined the Dental School staff in the 1920s and opened practices in Wallsend and Gateshead before emigrating to Abaco in the Bahamas in 1963. He kept working there until he was 85 years old - a year before he died. Norman and his wife had four children all of whom became dental surgeons.

Norman II (b. 1931) graduated from Newcastle in 1954 and following National Service in the RAF Dental Branch, practiced for several years in Wallsend before emigrating to Nassau in the Bahamas. Two of his children have also graduated in dentistry. Sara (b. 1961) graduated from Tufts Dental School in 1994 after having first trained as a dental technician. She is now a general dental practitioner in Boston. Sandra (b. 1964) qualified from the same school in 1992 after first qualifying as a dental hygienist, she is also currently in general practice.

Peter (b. 1937) graduated BDS Durham in 1961 and pursued an academic career, gaining his FFDRCS Ireland and the FDSRCS England in 1967, and then qualifying in Medicine at Dublin in 1970. He worked as a Consultant Oral Surgeon in North Yorkshire, based at York District General Hospital. Peter’s son, Simon, graduated from Newcastle University in 2003 and now practices in Manchester.

Michael (b. 1938) graduated BDS Durham in 1962. While a student, he met and married Mair (LDS 1962). Together they practiced in Gateshead before emigrating to Canada in 1970. Michael worked in general practice in Oshawa, Ontario until 2016, and Mair taught operative dentistry to undergraduates at the University of Toronto until 2010.

Penny (b. 1942) qualified at Newcastle University in 1967. She originally worked in the Community Dental Service but spent most of her career in general practice as a partner in Shotley Bridge.  She also acted as the President of the North of England Odontological Society.

Michael’s son Tony (b. 1961) graduated from Geology at Western before studying dentistry at Newcastle University, qualifying in 1992. His early career was on the Isle of Man before returning to Canada where he joined his father, Michael, at Cove Dentistry in Oshawa Ontario, where he continues to practice.

Most recently, myself, Callum (b. 1995). I left a career with Toronto Fire Services to attend Newcastle University to study dentistry, graduating this year, 2025. I plan to work as a dentist in England while challenging the Canadian Board Exams aiming to return home to work with my father, Tony.