Abstract
In 1994 a 'Dr Gerald Leatherman Award' was established by the British Dental Hygienists' Association to honour Leatherman. But who was he? And why was he associated with this named award? There are many facets to the Leatherman story: the first training of UK dental hygienists, support for their association, promotion of oral health in many ways and, perhaps especially, his work for the World Dental Federation (FDI).