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Tribute to ODA 50-Year Members
Year Members
Each year, the ODA honors dentists who have been members of the Association for a significant amount of time. Dentists who have maintained their membership for 25, 35 and 50 years are gifted pins to celebrate these milestones.
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These 50-year members were invited to attend the ODA House of Delegates meeting in April to be honored by their peers and receive their pin from the ODA President.
2022 Oklahoma Dental Association 50-Year Members
Dr. Brant Worthington Dr. Chester Wilks Dr. Don Morton Dr. Gary Lott Dr. James Murtaugh Dr. Joseph Fallin Jr. Dr. Kevin Avery Dr. Michael Forth Dr. Thomas Coury Dr. Walter Davis Dr. William Blubaugh
Dr. Joseph Fallin Jr. and Dr. James Murtaugh receiving their 50 year pin from ODA President Dr. Chris Fagan during the 2022 House of Delegates meeting in Oklahoma City. Dr. Joseph Fallin Jr. and Dr. James Murtaugh recieiving their 50 year pin from ODA President Dr. Chris Fagan at the 2022 House of Delegates meeting in Oklahoma City.journal | july/august 2022
Dr. Gary Lott
Alva, OK University of MissouriKansas City Dental School Class of 1972
How has organized dentistry (ODA Membership) shaped your career in dentistry?
Organized dentistry is important because a group of people with a purpose is always more powerful than one individual. Being a member of the ODA has helped my practice grow and stay current with innovative procedures and ever-developing technology. The ODA’s insight has made my practice more successful and has helped me provide my patients with a better experience.
My favorite memories of 50 years in practice are my work’s impact on each individual. I view each patient’s case as a minor success because of its impact on their lives. When people smile, it conveys happiness and knowing that I had a part in giving them the confidence to show their personality to the world brings me great satisfaction.
What do you see as today’s new dentists’ biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge new dentists face today is student debt. The rising cost of tuition increases pressure on a young dentist, and it is an added burden to the daunting task of trying to start or purchase a practice. Everything in dentistry now is expensive. To be successful today, young dentists need almost as much business knowledge as they need knowledge of dentistry.
Dr. James Murtaugh
Edmond, OK University of Iowa College of Dentistry Class of 1969
Where did you attend dental school, and when did you graduate?
I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1969, completed a Rotating Dental Internship (now GPR) at Children’s Hospital in OKC, completed Pediatric Dentistry back at Iowa and started practice in 1972. I ultimately practiced in a multispecialty group in northwest OKC.
What is your favorite part of dentistry?
Working with kids. Starting early with prevention and keeping them caries free, and when treatment is indicated, keeping the experience positive.
Capitation had a disastrous effect on the Medicaid patient population with participating dentists dropping from over 1100 to less than 100. As chair of the Medicaid Committee of the ODA and its representative on the Medical Advisory Committee to the Health Care Authority, I worked with Dr. Leon Bragg to implement a fee-for-service program which enabled these patients access to care.
