Meet Our Lawton Sleep Apnea Expert
David J. Drummond, DDS
David Drummond has a secret. Well, not really a secret because he is very open to talk about it, but - he actually hates going to the dentist himself. “I really do not enjoy getting in the dental chair. My heart rate goes up, my palms sweat and I really don’t enjoy having work done on me.”
So how did he end up on the other end of the dental drill? Short answer - “I took my inspiration from the Bible: It’s better to give than to receive,” he laughs.
Longer answer - Two long time family friends are dentists. They had a very positive impact on his career choices. In addition, he became interested in forensic anthropology in college - long before CSI and other forensic crime shows on TV - and through some “twists and turns,” that eventually led him to a career in dentistry.
Here’s his bio in his own words.
“I am originally from Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Howard High School in ’74. From ’74 to ’75 I spent my first year of college at Pahlavi University, Shiraz Iran. No, my father was not in the military or a spy. Opportunity knocked and the family moved. This was a great year and I really wish that the political climate would allow me to return someday to visit.
“From ’75 to ’78 I attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. It was during this time that I discovered my true aptitude for washing dishes and waiting on tables. At least, that helped pay the tuition.
“In 1978 I graduated from the University of Florida and entered Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. During my first year in Chicago, I was treated to all the snow that I had missed during the last 3 years all at once. I think that during that year, Chicago set records for snowfall. I was not thrilled. Four years later, Chicago went from setting records for snowfall to setting records for cold. The winter of ’82 was one of their coldest.
“In 1982 I graduated from dental School and entered the United States Army Dental Corps. My first duty station was Cowan Dental Clinic, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During this tour I was able to receive advanced training in Oral Surgery (Extractions), Endodontics (root canals), Pedodontics (children’s dentistry) and Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures).
“In 1985, I broke the cardinal rule of military life and volunteered for a posting in Korea. I was stationed in Taegu, Korea for the next year. During that tour, I was afforded the opportunity to travel the country and see the countryside. The next year I returned to San Antonio, Texas, for the Officer’s Advanced Course at Fort Sam Houston and once again volunteered for another tour at Fort Sill. I was Chief of Oral Surgery at Allen Dental Clinic until I left active duty in 1988 to pursue private practice in Lawton. I stayed in the Active Army Reserve until 1993.
“It was in 1985 that I married my wife, Belinda. We have raised two great daughters, Amy and Michella. To date, our girls have given us three grandsons: Cole, Dash and Jet.
“Belinda is a Lawton native, and for me truly the reason that “God Made Oklahoma”. She is a nurse but does not currently practice. Most of her time is spent between keeping me in line and spoiling our grandsons.
“In my spare time, I enjoy amateur nature photography, hiking and shooting/marksmanship.