GET TO KNOW YOUR INCOMING ODA PRESIDENT
CHRIS FAGAN, DDS I have had some impressive adventures in my life. I’ve been a whitewater raft guide, backpacked through Glacier National Park alone, and moved 1,600 miles from home because I wanted to be a ski bum for a season -- and ended up staying for five winters! But of all my life experiences, I believe my next year as president of the Oklahoma Dental Association will be the most challenging. I say this because these are extraordinary times. I don’t need to explain the impact of this past year, and even the start of 2021, has had on everyone. You’ve all been through it, too. Before I look to this upcoming year, I must first acknowledge Dr. Paul Mullasseril for his outstanding performance as our president this past year. He took over in the midst of a pandemic that was still in its infancy. If I remember correctly, it was during the time that dental offices were shut down or limited to emergency procedures only! He has led this organization and Oklahoma Dentistry through some of its most difficult times with a grace and poise that I can only hope to emulate. Our Executive Director, Lynn Means, and her staff also deserve many accolades. They have been working tirelessly, often in difficult situations. This past year the staff has had to cancel, reschedule, adjust, and postpone many of the events we have become accustomed to attending as ODA members. They have done a fantastic job of keeping us informed amidst a sea of misinformation regarding COVID-19, as well as advocating for our profession. The ODA has also joined the fight against managed care in Oklahoma and our ODA staff has worked countless hours on this issue so far. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview dental student applicants for the OU College of Dentistry. It is always interesting to hear how these students ended up in a chair across from me. It always makes me think back to my path to Dentistry. One of my first experiences was visiting a young new pediatric dentist in my hometown of Enid. I was one of his first patients -- his only one that particular day because the other one canceled. I know all this because I still have chart #32 with my name on it and the paper and pencil appointment book page framed in my office. To make a long story short, he and my mother eventually got married and he became my father. I grew up as the son of a dentist. I also worked in his office; since my junior high school was about three blocks from his office, most days I would walk there
Dr. Fagan exploring their land outside of Enid with his two boys.
14 journal | March/April 2021
Dr. Chris Fagan and his wife, Heather, with their two sons Cooper (6) and Caleb (4).
after school. I remember pulling paper charts for the following day’s patients and refiling the current day’s charts. I had to shovel snow and wash windows at the office on the weekends. Most of our vacations involved dental meetings. Trips to Oklahoma City usually involved a stop by the ODA building for a meeting or a stop at Sam’s so he could buy supplies for the office. At some point I decided that I did not want to be a dentist. I graduated from St. Gregory’s University in 2000 with a degree in Communications and had no clue what I wanted to do after graduation. I was having difficulty finding a meaningful job so, much
Caleb trying on his dad's loupes while helping at the office.
The boys helping take care of the chickens on their farm.
