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June 21, 2007

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Dr. Mary Martin

By Kristen Wright, Associate Editor

Dr. Mary Martin has made a name for herself in the dental circuits — so much so that a scholarship has been named after her. And that means much to the woman who once took a chiding from a high school counselor in Skiatook, Okla., for having college aspirations.

"I came from a very poor family and only received emergency dental care," Dr. Martin said. "When my hometown dentist, Dr. Dwight W. Rumsey, took me under his wing in 1966 to teach me how to be a chairside assistant, it was really a life-changing event. When I had gone to my high school counselor with my 4.0 GPA to ask about college, he only laughed and said, 'Mary, no one from your family goes to college! Just be grateful you have a job.'"

Dr. Martin said she's still grateful for obtaining her job as a dental assistant. Even her counselor's remarks couldn't crush her goal of becoming a dental hygienist.

"At that time, being a dentist hadn't even crossed my mind," she said. "I continued working as a dental assistant and doing office work for a medical firm while taking entry-level college classes at night. My husband went to school full time," Dr. Martin said. "After four years of going to school part time and delivering my first baby, I was accepted into the second dental hygiene class at the University of Oklahoma. One of my professors thought I was overqualified and needed to go to dental school. He planted the seed by telling me that someday I would become bored with hygiene, and they would be waiting for me. So, I've come a long way."

If there were any scholarships available, the counselor was no help, and Dr. Martin's mother worried more about necessities, such as putting food on the table.

"No one knew how to apply, so I worked and paid my way," she said. "I am a very strong woman after the trials of getting an education and raising my daughter, Amber."

She also became a single mother during this time as a result of divorce. She worked as a dental hygienist in private practice for two years before teaching in the OU Dental Hygiene Department for four years prior to entering OU dental school.

"I am often asked why I became a dentist," Dr. Martin said. "I had a very nice income as a dental hygienist. In fact, I drove a better car than I have now. Nevertheless, I always wanted to be able to treatment plan patients' care. I wanted to be in charge of guiding the patients, not just following someone else's directions. I realize that in some offices, hygienists do that with the soft tissue, but it was different in the late '70s, and I wanted to plan it all."

While she was still in dental school, Dr. Martin joined AAWD in 1983. She was the student clinician for the ADA Dentsply Table Clinic Program in Anaheim.

"After my presentation, I was strolling though the exhibit hall and saw the AAWD booth. Until that time, I had never heard of the organization. It was love at first sight! I've been a member ever since.

"In 1984, I was the loud voice who started the Oklahoma Chapter of AAWD, now called the Oklahoma Association of Women Dentists. I was the first president and held that office for two years."

Dr. Martin graduated in 1984, but tossed out the idea of specializing because she was a single parent to a daughter in junior high.

"When I moved to the Oklahoma City area, I had no intention of staying any longer than it would take to get my degree, however, life has a way of changing your best plans, and I have lived here since 1973. I love it!"

One reason she never relocated is because she remarried. She and Dr. Steven R. Carson, a dentist just outside of Oklahoma City, married in 1989 during the ADA meeting in Hawaii. They have a 15-year-old son, Cody.

Dr. Martin has served a third term as OAWD president and now serves as OAWD secretary/treasurer.

"While I was on the faculty at the OU College of Dentistry — 19 years as a dentist — I served as the student liaison officer to the board," she said. "So, I have remained involved over the 23-year history of OAWD. I guess that's why they named the scholarship after me. I was so surprised! We had tried to give a scholarship for a few years, but it had been a very small amount — just whatever we could manage after meeting association expenses. Then, Dr. Tamara Berg had the idea of naming the scholarship after me. She sent letters and the money started rolling in! We've awarded two of these scholarships and have money left to put in an interest-bearing account. The scholarship and our active Smiles for Success group in Oklahoma have increased our membership and participation. Women feel they are contributing to something bigger than they are."

Dr. Martin joined her husband's 2,000-square-foot practice in 2003. She said it is quite an adjustment going from academics to private practice.

"The building was built and occupied by Steve's dad, who practiced here from 1965 to 1997, when he passed away. Steve joined his dad's practice in 1993 and hadn't changed anything, so when I came in 2003, it still looked like 1970," Dr. Martin said. "We've been working to update it, but change takes time, and it isn't always in the best interest of the 'new doc' to come in and make a lot of changes quickly. So, I have been patient."

Dr. Martin hasn't given up teaching completely, though. She lectures on meth mouth, alcohol, and prescription and nonprescription drug abuse.

"Most of the dental toys that have made my life easier the past few years I first learned about in the New Products section of WDJ. I use the Isolite, the small syringes for injections; Exposil; and the digit delivery system for impressions. I also have a soft-tissue laser (Sirona), which is moving up on my list of favorites."

Her other favorites:
"My favorite comfort food is ice cream, any flavor. My favorite restaurant is a little Italian place in Oklahoma City known as Vito's Italian Restaurante. The owner/chef is a friend of mine named Cathy Cummings, and her house specialty is Chicken Spedini. I have a hard time getting anything else. My favorite vacation spot is Hawaii, however, to escape from it all, I simply go home. I love my house — it isn't fancy, but very homey and large enough that even if Cody has friends over, I can find a quiet corner."

Her advice to women thinking about dentistry:
"Go for it, girl! When completing your education or electives, add "Networking and Support Group" to the list of necessities. If you are surrounded by negative, unsupportive folks, whether family or friends, your journey will be much more difficult. People who truly understand your fatigue, frustrations, and desires are other women who have gone through the same thing. Stick together."

Dr. Mary Martin may be reached at (405) 732-6821 or doctormartin@sbcglobal.net.

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