SEPTEMBER 2008
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 9
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG
Dr. Richard M. Smith Named 2008 TAGD Dentist of the Year
From left: Dr. Ron Collins (2007 recipient) congratulates 2008 Dentist of the Year winner Dr. Richard M. Smith of Amarillo and his wife Jimmie Ruth.
Dr. Richard M. Smith of Amarillo was named 2008 Dentist of the Year by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) at the Lone Star Dental Conference in Austin on September 5, 2008. Nominated for the award by his Panhandle (18th) District Dental Society, Dr. Smith was selected from a list of 19 distinguished nominees. His contributions to dentistry include service as president of the Panhandle District Dental Society, both president and secretarytreasurer of the Texas Dental Association (TDA), and the USA treasurer of the International College of Dentists. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Smith chairs the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation and has chaired its Texas Mission of Mercy program since 2005. He received the TDA’s highest honor, the Gold Medal of Distinguished Service. In addition to Dr. Smith, the 2008 nominees were Drs. Dean N. Armstrong of Amarillo, Sheryl A. Beltrane of San Antonio, Douglas W. Bogan of Houston, David R. Cox of Weatherford, Carlos Cruz of McAllen, Terry A. Darden of Dallas, David R. Dasher of Wichita Falls, Steven J. Hill of Lubbock, Don A. Lutes of Mount Pleasant, Jeffery L. Miller of San Antonio, Roger Ortiz of El Paso, Ronald Rhea of Houston, Barry F. Rouch of Austin, Marshall K. Warren of New Braunfels, David H. Wilhite of Dallas, Grant Wolfe of College Station, Debrah Worsham of Center, and William Wyatt, Sr. of Hurst.
Retired Fort Worth Dentist Honored Texas’ Oldest, Actively Licensed Dentist Adored by Peers, Patients
Inside TDA Smiles Foundation Receives Record Grant Meadows Foundation Grant gives fuel for Smiles on Wheels Program Ask the President TDA needs you — become a leader in your association TEXAS Meeting Update TDA gears up for a bigger and better annual session Community Health Center Visit TDA members tour Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe in El Paso TDA Alliance Members convene at El Paso Dental Conference Medicare/Medicaid Update Deadline set for tamper-resistant prescription pads TSBDE Rule Updates Risk management courses count for continuing education credit
October Journal News Special Legislative Issue
Nicole Scott, TDA Publications Coordinator A lot happened in 1918: World War I ended; the Spanish flu became an epidemic; the Boston Red Sox won a World Series but wouldn’t again for decades; and actress Rita Hayworth and WalMart founder Sam Walton were born. Also born that year was Dr. Irad M. Cochran, Jr., of Fort Worth, the state’s oldest, actively licensed dentist. The TDA and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) recognized the 90-year-old at the Fort Worth District Dental Society’s (FWDDS) meeting earlier this month. TDA Board senior director Dr. Brad Loeffelholz and TSBDE representative Dr. William Purifoy, both of Fort Worth, surprised Dr. Cochran with plaques recognizing his 66 years of service and proclaiming him the oldest, actively licensed dentist in the state. “Oh! I was most surprised,” Dr. Cochran says. “I had intended to go to the meeting anyway. They told me they’d buy my dinner!” Dr. Purifoy asked to personally present the TSBDE award to Dr. Cochran. “We’re so proud of him. He’s outstanding as an individual, and I’ve always appreciated his honesty, integrity, and gentlemanly ways.”
“I cut my teeth on a bird dog’s tail” Licensed since July 6, 1942, Dr. Cochran retired in June of this year. He proves a hobby keeps everyone young at heart. For years, he and his favorite bird-tracking Pointers hunted quail, dove, and deer until he was sidelined by a knee injury last year. “I cut my teeth on a bird dog’s tail,” he laughs, explaining how his dentist father’s interest in bird-hunting sparked his own.
Beginning the Discussion of Commercialism in Dentistry Dental Artifacts
Around the State September 26-27: Williamson County TMOM, Leander
TDA Board senior director Dr. Brad Loeffelholz of Fort Worth recognizes Dr. Cochran for his 66 years of achievement as a dentist.
The father of three, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather to two says he worked a short time in his father’s dental office after graduating from Baylor Dental College. He then enlisted in the Navy rather than the Army “because they offered a commission.” “I wanted a dry bed over water rather than a wet bed over mud,” he jokes about the time spent as a dentist aboard a naval ship from 1943 to 1945. A TDA life member, he says some of his proudest accomplishments include serving as president of the FWDDS, the Southwest Prosthodontic Society, and the Southwest Restorative Society. He estimates he’s seen thousands patients and laughs at the thought of some of their requests. “One of them asked me to autograph his crowns I made. So, I carved my initials right there into his molars.” And, in an ironic twist of fate, Dr. Cochran’s final patient brought him to the beginning of his career. “My last patient was the son of my first patient.”
October 16-21: ADA Annual Session, San Antonio
Click & Connect 2008 -2009 Contacts tda.org — Membership Info Calendar of Events tda.org — Features Update Profile tda.org — Membership Info