The Hawkeye spirit is celebrated among its alumni, who are expected to lead and give back using their acquired skills. Dr. Lynn Curry, DDS, exemplifies this spirit as one of the eight recipients of the Eight Over 80 awards, co-sponsored by the Csomay Center. Throughout his career as a dentist, Curry has demonstrated remarkable leadership and generosity—from his work on remote Native American reservations in Alaska and founding the Iowa Dental Foundation to teaching at his local community college. His commitment keeps the Hawkeye spirit vibrant and alive.

Curry’s start and journey to the University of Iowa

Lynn Curry got his first job at the YMCA, where he found a mentor who led him to a youth group that named him president. This youth group worked to establish a recreational center for lower-income families and teenagers when Curry was a senior in high school. “We [the youth group] ran the place,” states Curry.

Curry attended Oklahoma State University in 1958 before transferring to Iowa after an illness that hospitalized him for a month. “I was given a week to take my tests and get everything in order because my doctor wanted me to transfer back to Iowa,” says Curry. He found a woman in the Chemistry Department who offered to tutor him for twenty-five hours for free. After passing the Chem test, Curry discovered that she was, in fact, the Dean of the Department of Chemistry. The YMCA mentor and the selfless compassion of a college Dean, allowed Dr. Curry to enter the University of Iowa. Curry states, “These are the two seeds that made me who I am.”

Early career

Before ever stepping into dentistry, Curry wanted to be a mechanic. “I went to Iowa and bounced around a few different degrees. Eventually, I met a gentleman who suggested I go into dentistry instead of being an auto mechanic because I like helping people and working with my hands,” states Curry. This career choice led to many opportunities to help those who may not have had direct access to dental care.        

For a portion of his career, Curry was part of the Public Health Service from 1965 to 1970. He worked on Native American reservations in Alaska where there was little to no dental care. “I found it very rewarding working with a population that had no [dental] care.” Curry would sit on the floor with someone holding a light above him and the patient lying down in front of him. “There would be a pan for the patient to spit, and I performed procedures for eight to 10 hours a day,” says Curry.

While on the reservation, he learned many of the children dropped out of school after the third grade. Curry and his counterparts developed a fund that would provide the opportunity for the students to attend college. “This was my first effort at setting up a program,” says Curry.

Time in public service

Soon, Curry moved into the private practice setting and after several years he became the president of his district’s Dental Society. Curry states, “On a spur of the moment, my friend asked me if I would be president, and I said yes.” Curry continues, “That was the beginning of my journey in organized dentistry and one of the more opportune moments in my life.”

After taking part in the Dental Society for four years, “I realized this is what I really enjoyed,” states Curry. A friend of his was stepping down from the Delta Dental Board and put Curry’s name in as a recommendation to take his place. In his first meeting with the board, Curry had to make a quick decision for the people of Iowa. Delta Dental would either separate or stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield. “I chose for the betterment of Iowa people that we separate,” says Curry. Soon after this, the Iowa Delta Dental Foundation was created. According to Curry, “It was created to strengthen and transform the health and smiles of all Iowans. We were instrumental in the funding to establish the Geriatric and Special Needs Department of the College of Dentistry and aided in funding forty-two positions in community health clinics. Today, it currently awards about 4 million dollars to two-hundred and sixty-one organizations a year in Iowa.”

Curry’s career led him to serve on the Delta Board of Trustees for ten years [WSJ5] and then served ten years on the Delta Foundation Board. During this time, he also served on the Iowa Dental Board for four years. With all the time spent in different leadership roles, Curry eventually found a new position in the classroom. He helped start a dental hygiene program at a community college in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he teaches 12-15 students part-time. When asked what he likes about teaching, Curry says, “I like to mentor. Education is not a matter of memorizing; it's trying to instill a philosophy and how they deal with patients and quality care.”

Mentoring students

Eventually, Curry brought the classroom into the clinic. After meeting with Dr. David Johnson, who was the Dean of the Iowa College of Dentistry for more than 25 years, a mentor program ignited. This program allowed students to work in a private practice setting, giving them six weeks of real experience in a clinic. “It was a program that died out, and we wanted to bring it back,” says Curry. He took part in the dental preceptor role for seven years. His granddaughter, a recent Iowa dental graduate, is currently working for one of his previous students. 

In his recent work, Curry has been producing a refugee program with Broadlawns Medical Center helping international students get certified as Nursing Assistants. They hope to encourage participants to eventually pursue a career in dental hygiene. “The students are very bright,” says Curry.

Curry is no longer practicing in the clinic but still uses his mind in his work with dentistry. “I try to find problems that have existed, and no one has come up with a solution,” says Curry. At the community college, the students need a licensed dental hygienist present when they are practicing procedures on real patients. This kind of supervision would cost the college hundreds of dollars, and Curry does it as a form of community service, allowing the students to practice.

How Curry optimally ages

The advice Curry has for others is, “If you want to stay young, you have to stay active.” Curry teaches part-time and brings people with common interests together to get a project done. He keeps in touch with his family, which includes about nine people in the dental profession. “I have colleagues who have more than three generations of dentists in their families, too, and we are in a social group together,” says Curry.

Curry finds social interaction important for aging optimally, especially since COVID-19 hit. “When you’re getting old, you can feel very alone and so can others. You can call friends and just say, ‘How are you doing?’” says Curry. He calls colleagues and friends daily and will get lunch with former classmates of his, “I like to perk them up; we will talk and laugh about old times.” This is how Dr. Curry stays engaged every day and optimally ages.

Curry’s legacy

His legacy is assured as his daughter, Dr. Cathy Curry Tigges, continues the practice with her son, Dr. Jay Tigges in Carroll, Iowa. Jay’s sister, Katie, is also a 2024 Iowa Dental Graduate and currently practices in Ames. Coincidently, Katie’s college roommate and classmate married her twin and is also a practicing dentist in Iowa. 

Dr. Lynn Curry's journey is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Hawkeye spirit. From his early days shaping community centers to his transformative work improving access to dental care and his pivotal role in founding the Iowa Delta Dental Foundation, Curry has exemplified leadership and generosity throughout his career. His dedication to mentoring students and innovating dental education underscores his commitment to giving back. As he continues to stay active and engaged, Curry not only maintains, but embodies the Hawkeye spirit, inspiring generations to come with his unwavering passion for service and education.