The Dentist Behind the Credential
A Stanford Education. A Career of Relentless Learning.
Kenneth Hovden graduated from Stanford University in 1978 with two completely separate degrees: a BS in Biology with Honors and an AB in Social Science. These two disciplines—the rigour of biological science and the empathy of social understanding—reflect exactly how he approaches dentistry: with clinical precision and deep human connection.
He went on to earn his dental degree and quickly distinguished himself both clinically and academically. He served as a Faculty Member at the University of the Pacific at Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, in the Department of Endodontics, for 39 years—shaping the training of generations of Bay Area dentists. At UOP, he was inducted into OKU, the top academic honor society in dentistry.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Hovden has earned credentials that place him among the most trained and recognised cosmetic dentists not just in the Bay Area, but in the world. Yet he remains driven by the same philosophy that has always guided his work:
- Do the least dentistry possible to keep you healthy.
- Recommend only what is genuinely needed.
- Explain everything honestly.
- Treat the person, not just the tooth.
40+
Years in Practice
1 of 80
AACD Accredited Fellows Worldwide
200+
CE Hours Per Year Since 2020
39 Yrs
Former UOP Faculty
20+
Years Leading Local Study Club
At a Glance
Education, training & credentials
What These Credentials Mean for You
Every Credential Has a Direct Patient Benefit.
These are not decorations. Each credential represents a specific area of expertise that directly improves your care—the precision, the planning, the outcome, and the longevity of every treatment.
AACD Accredited Fellow
1 of 80 Practicing Dentists Worldwide — 1 of 2 in the Bay Area
The highest credential in cosmetic dentistry, awarded to fewer than 1% of dentists. Requires demonstrating exceptional skill through rigorous peer-reviewed clinical case evaluation by a panel of expert examiners. Patient benefit: you are seeing one of the most rigorously evaluated cosmetic dentists in the world.
Kois Center — Clinical Instructor
Advanced Occlusal & Restorative Training
The Kois Center is internationally recognised for its systematic, evidence-based approach to occlusal analysis and comprehensive dental care. Dr. Hovden serves as a Clinical Instructor. He does not merely attend—he teaches other dentists. Patient benefit: bite function and long-term structural health are built into every treatment plan.
Spear Institute — Visiting Faculty
Scottsdale, AZ — Founding Teaching Faculty
The Spear Institute is one of dentistry’s most prestigious continuing education institutions. Dr. Hovden is a Visiting Faculty member at the Spear Institute. Patient benefit: when top dentists want to learn the most advanced restorative techniques, they learn from dentists like Dr. Hovden.
Operating Microscopes
Used Across Every Procedure
Dr. Hovden uses operating microscopes throughout his practice for precision that no naked eye can match — better-fitting restorations, more conservative tooth removal, earlier detection of decay and cracks. He has also trained dentists from the USA and around the world in microscope technique at IDEA for over 20 years.
DSD Master & DSD Clinic
Digital Smile Design Certified
Digital Smile Design allows patients to see and approve a preview of their new smile before any treatment begins. Combined with Dr. Hovden’s Kois/Spear training and AACD Fellowship, DSD represents the “best of all worlds” — technology, credentials, and decades of proven results. Patient benefit: no surprises.
Well Over 200 CE Hours Per Year Since 2020
Five times the state requirement of 40 hours
The California state requirement is 40 CE hours per year. Dr. Hovden completes well over 200 hours a year since 2020 — covering the latest materials, techniques, digital workflows, and evidence-based advances in dentistry. Patient benefit: your care always reflects current best practice, not outdated convention.
The Philosophy That Guides Everything
“Do the Least Dentistry Possible to Keep You Healthy.”
In 40+ years of practice, Dr. Hovden has never wavered from one core principle. The best dentistry is the dentistry that solves the problem completely, conserves the most natural tooth structure, and treats the person’s long-term health above all else.
He has talked patients out of veneers when whitening and Invisalign would deliver 90% of the result without touching their enamel. He recommends onlays over crowns whenever the clinical situation allows — preserving significantly more of your natural tooth. He chooses implants over bridges because bridges require grinding down healthy adjacent teeth. Every decision starts with what is best for the tooth and the person—not what generates the most revenue.
This philosophy is not just about treatment selection. It extends to diagnosis: a comprehensive first examination includes an oral cancer screening, TMJ evaluation, muscle palpation, full pocket depth measurements, bite analysis, and 20+ diagnostic photographs. Understanding the complete picture prevents the cascade of problems that inadequate diagnosis causes.
Elevating the Standard of Care
He Doesn’t Just Practice Dentistry — He Advances It.
For Dr. Hovden, excellence in dentistry has never been enough if it stays within the walls of his own practice. He has dedicated a significant part of his career to teaching—training the next generation of dentists at multiple levels and in multiple disciplines.
He has been published in respected national dental journals and has spoken internationally on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He founded the Bay Area Aesthetic Masters study club more than 20 years ago — a local continuing education forum committed to raising the level of care among dentists across San Francisco and the Peninsula.
A Man Who Gives Back
Outside the Office — Still Putting People First.
Dr. Hovden’s commitment to the people around him does not stop when he leaves his practice. Whether it is giving back to patients in need, nurturing community, or pursuing personal passions with the same focus he brings to dentistry—he is a man of depth, principle, and generosity.
He was an Eagle Scout and carries those values of service, integrity, and preparation into everything he does. Today he pursues the craft of amateur wine making alongside his decades of clinical achievement.
From a Patient
What It Feels Like to Have Dr. Hovden as Your Dentist
“I came in expecting to spend $20–30k on veneers. Dr. Hovden talked me out of it. That alone tells you everything about his integrity. He spent over an hour with me on the first visit — cancer screening, TMJ evaluation, muscle palpation, 20+ photos, pocket measurements, bite analysis. This wasn’t a sales consultation; it was an actual diagnostic exam. His assessment: my teeth are healthy, and with orthodontics and whitening I could get 90% of the result I wanted without touching my enamel. He showed me before/after photos of a patient who did veneers vs one who just whitened, and asked ‘would there really have been that much difference?’ He explained the long-term cost of veneers and said his philosophy is ‘do the least amount of dentistry possible to keep you healthy.’ Beyond the big picture advice, he taught me things no dentist ever has — the correct angle to brush to prevent calculus buildup, why most mouthwashes are acidic and counterproductive, the RDA value of toothpastes, and the connection between missing bicuspids and airway issues. He’s been doing this for 40+ years, did his parents’ veneers (lasted 20+ years), and only replaced two veneer cases in 8–10+ unit cases in his entire career. He refers to a top airway-focused orthodontist and clearly cares more about long-term outcomes than billing. If you want a dentist who will be honest with you even when it costs him money, this is the guy.”
Jay R. — Google Review
Experience the Difference That 40+ Years of Passionate Excellence Makes.
Dr. Hovden combines the highest credentials in cosmetic dentistry with a philosophy built on honesty, conservation, and long-term outcomes. Book your consultation and discover what genuinely exceptional dental care feels like.
Serving Daly City, San Francisco, Pacifica, and the greater Bay Area · 901 Campus Dr Ste 202, Daly City, CA 94015
