Wyoming
Local Hero: Dr. P.

Dr. P, a Casper native, is a big fan of Wyoming’s wide-open spaces. “We live in Wyoming for all of the same reasons that most people don’t,” he says. He has been in general practice for the past 30 years, treating the third generation of some families. The doctor also finds the time to work with numerous national professional organizations.  Dr. P. is a graduate of the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry, as well as the college’s 2006 Alumnus of the Year. A former president of the Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners, he has administered clinical board exams around the country for 20 years, receiving the American Association of Dental Examiners 2004 Citizen of the Year Award. He has also been a DDS volunteer for over 12 years. He learned about DDS through the Wyoming Dental Association, which, he says, “adopted the program with pride.” With the help of dental lab donations, Dr. P. has done mostly removable prosthetics. “It’s something that we as professionals owe the community,” he says. “I’ve never had a bad experience with a DDS patient, and every patient I’ve seen has been profoundly appreciative. DDS doesn’t overburden any single practitioner, and we’re also fortunate to have the laboratories donate their services.” As for the satisfaction that comes from his DDS work, he says, “I get a warm feeling when people appreciate what I do.”