It's GREAT being a Dentist. It has always struck me as paradoxical that even though Dentistry has come out of the "Dark Ages" that people still dread "going to the dentist". I have heard that we are the most trusted profession and yet most patients admit they would rather be somewhere else. I can't tell you the number of times I have heard someone say "I hate Dentists, nothing against you!!!!". Dentist's relieve more pain then any other health profession. Cosmetic Dentistry can do wonders to improve a negative self image. 

It seems like only yesterday that I moved to Temple. I was married the week after I graduated from dental school. I served in the State of Virginia Public Health before entering the the Navy and being stationed at the Dallas Naval Air Station. After the Navy we Moved to Temple. I was divorced in 1999 after a 30 year marriage. My three youngest children lived with me until they left for college. I have 4 wonderful children: Leanne 31, Danielle 28, Erin 26, and Harrison 24. As you can see, I am an "Older" parent, Leanne was born when I was already 35 and Harrison entered my life when I was 43. 

Soon after moving to Temple I was looking for a hobby. A close friend and dentist told me I should learn to fly. I took lessons and purchased an airplane.

This is how I looked when I had a photographer take my picture in  2000; I think I looked pretty good for 57. I have been an advocate for aerobic exercise for over 30 years now. I also have an interest in nutrition and diet supplements. Anyone interested in the finest selection of health supplements anywhere should visit the Life Extension Foundation Web Site. 

My oldest daughter Leanne played soccer starting in the second grade. She was the first player for Temple High School to make all district all 4 years. She received the first Division 1 Soccer Scholarship awarded to a Temple High School Girls Soccer Player. Congratulations Leanne!!!! I recently took a look at a picture of Leanne and I that has been on the wall above my lab bench; we all do grow up. Leanne is currently working for me as a Chairside Dental Assistant while looking for a job related to her degree. Leanne is a graduate of Texas State University San Marcos with a BS in Biology. 

My other two daughters are Danielle and Erin. Danielle was a dedicated student and graduated from the University of Texas, 3 years after completing Temple High School with a B.A. in Sociology.

Erin is a Vocal Performance/Opera Performance graduate from the University of Texas. Harrison graduated from Temple High School and a graduate with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas San Marcos.

Erin's passion is voice and Opera; she qualified for the Texas All State Choir for three years while attending Temple High School. All State Choir was a real achievement. Only 350 students are selected from a starting field of 18,000. Erin also played Varsity Soccer while at Temple High School. Erin was a Vocal Performance Major while at UT and a member of the Chamber Singers. Erin is a graduate of CCM with a masters degree in Voice. She is currently pursuing auditions in New York City.

Harrison kept me from being alone in a house full of women. He is really a great guy. He is a lot of fun to be with and a great friend. While at Temple High School he played Tuba in the Wind Ensemble.

This is the family in Florida visiting my Mother (Danielle's taking the picture). 

It's amazing how time flies by. I recentlyattended my 50 year high school reunion. I attended H.B. Plant High School in Tampa Florida graduating in 196o I created a website to document the reunion and past reunions.

For more information about my family and how I started creating web sites click here. 

Dental humor has been around for a long time. I have run across some pictures that I have placed in my Dental Gallery.

Recently, my daughter Leanne decided that she wanted a dog. She researched all of the breeds on the Internet. She finally decided to rescue a dog from the animal shelter. Leanne and Danielle went to the animal shelter one afternoon; that is how we acquired our new family member Bear. 

One of the great things about living in Central Texas is the Springtime which is filled with the colors of wildflowers. Thanks to Lady Bird Johnson the states fields and highways have been planted with wildflowers providing a sea of beauty. The best known and probably the most beautiful are probably the Bluebonnets. A visit to Texas is a must for anyone interested in natural beauty. It is very common to see people pulled off the side of the road taking pictures of their children in the flowers. 

I have always loved sports but I never considered my self an athlete. I did bowl and carried a 195 average through High School. My senior year in college at Emory University,  I was 1 of 5 chosen to represent all of the Universities in the Southeastern United States at the first Intercollegiate Bowling Tournament held in Oakland California in 1964. 

In 1969 I had grown to be well over 200 pounds toping the scales at 234 pounds. When I entered the Navy I decided the weight had to come off. In 1969 over an 8 month period I lost 106 pounds and became very thin. The before and after pictures might interest you! It was at that time that I became interested in nutrition and began eating a complex carbohydrate/low fat diet known as the South Beach diet of today. My weight has been a life long battle and even with diet and exercise I find I regain and need to lose about 20 pounds a year. 

I became interested in exercise and began running in 1971. I ran between 35 and 50 miles a week for many years and I still run 20 to 30 miles a week most of the year.. In 1985 I decided that I would like to run at least 1 marathon so I entered the first San Antonio Marathon called The Alamo City Run and completed the marathon but because of high temperatures finished slower then I wanted. I wanted to complete another marathon while I was still in good shape and there was only one marathon scheduled in Texas; 2 weeks later I entered and completed the Daybreak Marathon at Wills Point Texas. I had a much better time there but was really sore for about 2 weeks after that. 

Everyone who views Central Texas as a hot dry place is in for a surprise. There is a wide variety of weather here from beautiful fall and spring weather to summer days in the 100's. We occasionally even have Snow. 

NOSTALGIA!! I have been very fortunate to have a great staff for many years. Everyone on my current staff has been with me at least 6 years, which is truly remarkable. I often think of some of the truly wonderful people who have worked with me over the years. I invite you to visit our Staff Album and see some people you may remember from years past.

In Dentistry I have been very fortunate to have 2 Heroes who have been excellent role models and Mentors. I met them at the Pankey Institute in 1973 at the first annual "Dawson-Fillastre" week. After that week I took every course both Pete Dawson and Alvin Fillastre gave and in the process became personal friends with both. I learned most of the important things I know about Dentistry from them. I am particularly close with Alvin Fillastre and his family. Helga, Alvin's wife did lab work for me before she retired. Al their son took over the lab, and now does laboratory work for me. An article from the Lakeland Ledger, in Alvin's home town, that I received several years ago tells a little about Alvin Fillastre.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to credit my fellow members of the Ken Olsen Study Club, who not only helped me learn and grow concerning the behaviousl aspects of dentisty but to explore who I am as a person. All of the members, except for me, are from Austin Texas. Not only are the wonderful dentists but terrific friends who have stood by me and helped me through the hard times in my life. They are the best support group anyone could have.  If anyone in the Austin Texas area is looking for a terrific dentist who really cares about them please consider one of these dentists.

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