What do you believe is the most
challenging issue facing dentistry
as a profession?
Gary Davis, DDS
Fifth District Trustee
Did you always know you wanted
to be a dentist when you were
younger? If not, what did you
want to be when you grew up?
When I was younger I wanted to
be either a physician or a high
school biology teacher
What motivated you to pursue a
career in organized dentistry?
My college, Albright College, had
monthly career eat and learns
sessions where different
professionals would give a
presentation about their careers
and answer questions. The
physicians talked about constantly
being overworked and tired. The
dentists talked about setting their
own hours and being their own
boss. And the dentists seemed
much happier with their lives.
When and where did you attend
dental school?
I attended Georgetown School of
Dentistry from 1984-1988.
Where do you currently practice?
I practice in Shippensburg.
Third party interference! Rich
insurance companies are
interfering in the doctor-patient
relationship by setting unfair and
rapidly shrinking insurance
reimbursements. Our member’s
recommended treatment is
frequently declined or delayed
because insurance companies will
pay only a small portion of the fee
or sometimes not cover the
treatment at all!
What do you believe is the
most challenging issue facing
organized dentistry?
Relevancy! Our membership has
been declining for too many years.
We must consistently be in dialog
with all of our members and
create value for them. This means
that we must take a critical look at
all of our services and make the
necessary changes to ensure our
members succeed!
What do you think is the single
greatest achievement in den-
tistry over the past 150 years of
PDA’s history?
Fluoridation of Community Water
Systems! Community water
fluoridation benefits everyone,
especially those without access to
regular dental care. It is the most
efficient way to prevent dental
decay. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention has
proclaimed community water
fluoridation (along with
vaccinations and infectious
disease control) as one of 10 great
public health achievements of the
20 th century.
Dr. Davis’ story, in his own words
I grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania in the
small town of Tunkhannock. I am the oldest of
4. Scott, Amy and Todd are my siblings.
I am the luckiest man in the world. I am
married to my best friend, Marie! I have 3
children - Zachary (24), a Therapeutic Support
Staff in Lancaster; Elizabeth (22), a senior
Sociology Major at University of Pittsburgh;
and Rebecca (20), a junior Psycho-Biology
Major at Albright College.
I enjoy reading, playing golf and coaching.
I have coached baseball, soccer, CYO basketball
and club volleyball. I am currently the President
of our local Rotary Club that was just awarded
the Best Medium Club in our District. I am the
dental director of Ecuadent, which is a mission
that treats children in Ecuador on a yearly
basis. I have been on 16 missions to Ecuador
and 1 mission to Puerto Rico. And I am the
Chair of MOM-n-PA.
I am also a director of Shadyside Cemetery.
Marie and I are also a Mentor Couple for our
church.
Name some fun/interesting things about
yourself that others would be surprised to
learn.
I have two hole-in-ones in golf!
I am currently an assistant coach for a U16
volleyball team that my daughter coaches.
After reading a Readers Digest article in 1995
about Lou Holtz, I made everyone in my family
make a list of 50 things we want to do before
we died and I have completed 30 out of the 50
in my list.
I love reading about and discussing bylaws,
ethics and parliamentary procedures.
Who was your greatest role model?
I have been blessed with many important role
models. My grandfather and my Dad were my
first and most important role models. I have also
been blessed to have many past PDA and ADA
leaders as mentors, including Kay Thompson,
Gus Lavalla, Mike Miller, Ron Gross, Lew
Lamperis and David Whiston to name a few.
What famous person would you most like to
spend a day with?
Secular person - Ben Franklin
Religious person - Jesus
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