Dr D

Dr D

Monday, November 21, 2011

Who is Robert O. Dosch?


Dr. Robert Dosch went to the University of Texas Dental Branch and graduated with honors. He then opened up a small, but successful private practice near Houston, TX. He worked there for years, but developed a neuromuscular disorder and had to sell his practice. He then became a professor at the dental school he graduated from in the Restorative and Biomaterials department. Dr. Dosch was a favorite among faculty and students because of his passion for dentistry, dedication to the students, and his plethora of funny stories.  This is, of course, where I met him in my first year pre-clinical dental anatomy class.  Dr. Dosch's office door was always open (usually with a line of students waiting outside for help!) He could be  found before and after hours in the lab giving much needed assistance waxing, cutting preps, or just making people laugh. Everyone that has gone through the wonderful 'dental school' experience had a professor that impacted their life in one way or another. Dr. Dosch was a mentor and a friend. He treated everyone as a colleague, as an equal.

On an unfortunate day in May of 2009, Dr. Dosch was in a motorcycle accident. Less than a mile from the dental school, a car ran a red light and hit him head on. He flew 40 feet in the air after he bounced off the windshield. He sustained devastating injuries, had multiple surgeries, and was hospitalized for months. Dr. Dosch barely survived. The driver of the car did not have insurance.

Now-a-days, the once-avid outdoorsman and motorcycle enthusiast, is confined to a wheel-chair. His pelvis split during the accident at the symphisis. While in the hospital, he had a surgery to put it back together, but the surgery did not take. So, Dr. Dosch has an unfused pelvis with multiple loose screws (barely) holding his lower half together. This causes excruciating pain and recurrent infections requiring frequent stays in the hospital. To fix/improve his quality of life, he requires a surgery that will remove the failed screws, replace them with new ones and extensive bone grafting. He will not be able to move for 3 months post-surgery to promote healing.  This is going to be very expensive.

A benevolence fund has been set up in Dr. Dosch's name in the hopes that enough money will be donated and he will be able to have the necessary operation. The fund is specifically for medical expenses and will be available at Dr. Dosch's discretion. I know that many that read this will not know Dr. Rod Dosch, but what I do know is that dentistry is a small community and we take care of our own. Dr. Dosch has given his all to dentistry and promoting its future through education. It is time for us to give back to him.

Please send me a message if you are interested in helping out, including your email address and I will forward you all the necessary information to donate.

I know Dr. Dosch appreciates you all!