Gary R. Fox, DNN - Denturist

Born and raised in Washington, I grew up in the Denture business. My mother started working in a Dental lab in the early '40s for A.B. Gill. On the weekends, my mother made dentures and partials for family and friends, and in the lab for dentists during the week. She was what you would call a “bushwhacker” in those days. In 1963, at Mister Gill’s passing, she purchased the denture and partial department from his widow.

In 1971, I went to dental technician school in Seattle and in 1973, came back to run the lab in Spokane. In 1977, the State of Maine passed the first Denturist Regulation in the United States. Unfortunately, no Denturist practiced in Maine until 2000, due to the Dental Board having total control over the licensing. By this time, Canada had been regulated from coast to coast.

In 1978, Oregon passed a Denturist Initiative. By the people passing at 75%, I decided at this time to “make a break” and started trying to pass a regulation law in Washington State. I thought this process would only take a couple of years to achieve. In 1987, I thought we had it with the RCW 18:120 Health Regulations Act; however, the Dentists said "no." Sixteen years later, in 1994, this goal was achieved by an Initiative by the people passing at 57%! 

During the many years of court battles, I actually worked under the protection of the courts (1989-1994). A Judge had ordered the state to have a full evidentiary hearing regarding my charges of practicing dentistry without a license; however, the State never came back on me. I am now fully licensed and have practiced in this location since 1988.