Delta Dental of Okla. honors oral health heroes

The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation has named D. Michael Spradlin, DDS, of Tulsa as the recipient of its first Oral Health Hero Award, a new program to recognize the contributions of volunteer dentists across the state.

Dr. Spradlin was honored December 17 at the Mother Teresa Dental Care Center of Catholic Charities of Tulsa, where he volunteers.

After retiring from private practice, Dr. Spradlin began serving as a volunteer dentist and clinic administrator for Mother Teresa Dental Care Center. Since leading the effort to set up the clinic in 2009, he has served nearly full-time administering the program, recruiting and scheduling other volunteer dentists and hygienists, and treating patients. He contributed more than 1,400 volunteer hours last year alone.

The foundation created the Oral Health Hero Award to recognize volunteer dentists who go above and beyond in donating their time and skills to help those in need achieve greater oral health.

When asked why he volunteers, Dr. Spradlin said, "This morning I delivered a set of dentures for a lady who we'd been working on for a few visits. After setting and adjusting the dentures, I handed her a mirror. And she looked at herself in the mirror and tears started coming down. She cried."

In addition to the Oral Health Hero Award, the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation presented a grant award of $36,500 to the Mother Teresa Dental Care Center. It included a $25,000 standard operational grant and an $11,500 challenge grant for equipment. Delta Dental's foundation will match contributions made by other donors, dollar for dollar, in 2013, up to the challenge grant amount of $11,500 to complete the $36,500 award.