Activism FOR access to care: The story of Jack A. Whittaker

Dr Jack Whittaker grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio, in a family atmosphere that was dominated by sports and nurtured by sportsmanship. Planning on dentistry since high school, Jack graduated from The Ohio State University dental school and in 1970 opened a general dentistry practice in Bowling Green, where he now practices pediatric dentistry. From the earliest days of his practice, Jack has treated low-reimbursement Medicaid patients. Eventually realizing that most of his colleagues were not doing likewise, he became concerned that children who needed care were not getting it. As a result, he began a long process to effect change. Within the profession, he campaigned to encourage both generalists and specialists to accept Medicaid patients. Simultaneously, he forged a successful relationship with an influential elected official in state government that brought about a significant increase in the rate of Medicaid reimbursement to dentists. Apart from his practice, Jack has expressed his concern for children through coaching and off-the-field leadership in baseball, football, and ice hockey.