A New Zealander by birth, John completed his Dental Degree at Otago University in 1990. He became interested in the Surgical aspects of Dentistry whilst working as a Dentist at Christchurch hospital for 2 years after graduation. He then joined the staff at the University of Otago in the Oral Surgery department for 2 years, lecturing and teaching in Oral Surgery. Following this he entered the New Zealand training program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by completing a Masters degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Medical Degree, both from the University of Otago. After working for 2 years as a Medical Doctor at Palmerton North he held higher Surgical Training Posts in Oral and Maxillofacial for 1 year in Auckland and 2 years in the UK at the East Grinstead Maxillofacial Unit. The East Grinstead Maxillofacial Unit is a famous and prestigious unit that provided John with valuable experience in Reconstructive Surgery of the Face and Jaws. John returned to Tauranga New Zealand in 2004 and joined David Chrisp to form Tauranga OMS.