Oklahoma's First Pediatric Dentist Retires After 63 Years

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma man was forced to retire at the age of 70, but that didn't stop him from doing what he loved.

Dr. Joseph Robertson is a charismatic, witty and hardworking 92-year-old, but you wouldn't be able to tell how old he is just by his looks.

Robertson was the very first Pediatric Dentist licensed in Oklahoma.

"They called it at that time Pediodontia, then they decided they were going to change the name to Pedodontics," Robertson said.

For decades the North Dakota native has helped children with their pearly whites across Oklahoma City.

"They make you patient, either that or you'll go crazy. No, we get along fine with them," Robertson said.

Robertson has a few private patients, but nowadays, he does it because it's his calling.

"We enjoy doing what we're doing, and we feel compensation to ourselves to be able to do what we can for those that are in need," Robertson said.

While Robertson is a pediatric dentist, it hasn't kept adults like Lori Polle away.

"I've been coming here ever since I was a kid until I got married and Dr. Robertson kicked me out, and then I had to come and work for him," Polle said.

Polle has been working for Robertson for over a decade along with others who have became Robertson's second family.

"He does such great things for everybody. It just touches your heart to work every day with him. It's so rewarding," Polle said.

And after 63 years, the dentist, who's made history, is retiring at the end of the month, or so he says.

"We might have to lock the backdoor because he may feel the same way about coming back up here," Polle said.

When Robertson retires, he said he's planning to travel, enjoy photography and spend time at home with his wife of 65 years. Robertson also said if he wasn't a dentist, he would have pursued medicine.