Robert Henry Johnson, DDS, and Dr. Etsuro Watanabe are recognized as the oldest practicing dentists in the U.S. and world, respectively.
Dr. Johnson, 92, was inspired to join the profession at a young age by the success of two local dentists. After graduating from Baylor Dental School in 1956, Dr. Johnson opened his practice in Big Spring, Texas, and worked there for 13 years before relocating to Brownwood in 1970, where he currently practices.
Japanese dentist Dr. Etsuro Watanabe was recently recognized as the oldest male dentist by Guinness World Records. Dr. Watanabe started attending dental school in 1947 and opened a practice in his hometown of Oshino in 1953, which was the only dental practice in the village.
Both dentists attributed their longstanding practice to the same thing: their patients.
"Money is not the answer to the deal," Dr. Johnson told KWTX in October 2022. "It's the love of your patients that you've had for 50 years when they come in and say, 'What am I going to do when you retire?' And they mean it."
"When I see my patients happy, it makes me feel that what I am doing is worth it. I'd like to contribute to the community for as long as I have the energy to allow it," Dr. Watanabe told the Guinness World Records company May 15.