Meet Your President — Dr . Dennis J . Charlton and began married life without a car “ or any luxury ,” according to Dr . Charlton .
“ My father just shook his head and said , ‘ well , you ’ ll never finish college .’ I wonder now if he said that just to motivate me but we both worked part-time jobs and struggled to get finished with school ,” he said .
After the young couple graduated from IUP , both began teaching school , until Dr . Charlton decided to change direction . He wanted to go back to school , and after serious contemplation , they decided they could survive if he went to dental school .
“ Lynn continued to teach and support me while I went through dental school . I often tell people ‘ we went through dental school .’ Even though I was the student , Lynn made every sacrifice I did as we worked for our future ,” he said . “ We started our family two years after I graduated from dental school at the old age of 31 .”
Serving as president of the Mercer County Dental Society and Ninth District Dental Society , Dr . Charlton began representing his district as a delegate at PDA ’ s Annual Session in 1991 . During his term as Ninth District trustee , he began serving as a delegate to the ADA .
The support from and camaraderie among his colleagues in the Ninth District has had a profound impact on him .
“ I wouldn ’ t hold the position I have today without the support and friendship of the dentists of the Ninth District ,” he said . They are a great bunch of friends !”
Dr . Charlton has volunteered on a slew of committees and task forces over the last 20 years and became Speaker of the House in 2004 . He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and also a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians , where he studied Sturgis and parliamentary procedure .
Away from his profession , he is heavily involved in a multitude of different community groups , where he enjoys helping other people and improving the lives of children .
As a member of the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church , he has served as a member of the session and as a Sunday school teacher . He is not only the sponsor of the local Boy Scouts of America Troop 86 , but the scouts actually meet in the basement of his office . He is a fundraiser and chairman of the Lakeview Educational Foundation , an organization that raises scholarship money and offers awards to graduating seniors from the local high school , Lakeview High School , in Mercer County . But that ’ s not all he does for students . “ I started and continue to fund a scholarship for Lakeview students interested in pursuing a career in the dental field ,” he said . “ The Charlton Dental Professional Scholarship has awarded financial aid to four dental hygiene students and one EFDA
Dr . Charlton ’ s staff had t-shirts made to welcome him back to the office after he was sworn in as PDA President .
Papa Denny and Nana Lynn with granddaughters Annabelle and Gracie in Las Vegas .
July / August 2011 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal
39