Lawrence Hittle:  

Life I'm the reclusive guy who moved to SC in the middle of 10th grade. Influential teachers were Mutzeck, Clemson, Einstein and Dr. Gerald Saltzman who wrote those immortal words, "Crest toothpaste has been shown to be an effective decay-preventative dentifrice when used in a consciensciously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care." Little did I know how those words would later affect my life.... Like everyone else, I served my time at PSU, then moved back to Chicago where we had a restaurant on the south side for 3+ years. When not working, we spent way-y-y too much time at old Comisky Park drinking Old Style and chasing after the White Sox. Along the way, Dr. Saltzman's influential words kicked in. I picked up a degree in animal dentistry and toured the world's zoos taking care of many of the unfortunate critters who displayed dental problems. In the spring of 1984, we set sail from Ecuador to skip among the islands of the South Pacific. Five months later, we came ashore in New Zealand where a disturbing malady was soon observed. New Zealand's southern island supports a very large sheep population. These sheep graze the short grasses that sprout from rocky craggs. Consequently, their teeth are worn down following frequent contact with these rocky surfaces. Without adequate dental surfaces, these animals cannot ruminate and are sent to slaughter well before their intended time. A good sheep can live for 12 to 14 years and can produce years of fine profittable fleece. It seemed a shame to watch so many fine animals put down at less than three years of age, so I decided to do something about it. The solution was simple. Sheep dentures. Armed with today's quick-setting dental resins, a handful of universal molds, battery-powered tools, a good dog, and a tranquillizer gun, dental crowning became a relatively simple restorative procedure. The addition of a truck-mounted adjustable chair and headphones for their listening pleasure m...Expand for more