Dr. Gene Litteken, a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was born and raised in Missouri. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Central Oklahoma, Dr. Litteken attended the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1982. In 1984, he completed specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Baylor University College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. That same year he moved to Ardmore to open his practicethe first pediatric dental clinic in the south-central region of Oklahoma.
Dr. Litteken has served as President of the Oklahoma Association of Pediatric Dentists, as a member of the State of Oklahoma Dental Board representing South-Central Oklahoma, and as a dental examiner of the Western Regional Examination Board. He is an active member of multiple professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, the Oklahoma Association of Dentists, the American Dental Association, and the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentists. In addition, Dr. Litteken was awarded membership in the American College of Dentists, a society of dentists honored for excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in their field. Dr. Litteken maintains communications with family practitioners and pediatricians on childrens health issues. He is a former President of the Board of the Good Shepherd Mission Medical-Dental-Optical Clinic in Ardmore, a non-profit organization providing care to indigent persons.
Dr. Tamara Worthen, a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemistry at the University of Oklahoma, in 1995 she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. She then completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. Dr. Worthen received her specialty training in pediatric dentistry from the Childrens Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Worthen has served as President of the Oklahoma Association of Pediatric Dentists. She is member of numerous dental organization including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentists, the Oklahoma Dental Association, and the American Dental Association, as well as an associate member of the American Academy of Pediatricians. Dr. Worthen has held the position of Director of Dental Education for the Childrens Hospital of Denver Pediatric Dental Residency, served as the pediatric dentist for the Childrens Hospital Cleft Lip and Palate Team, and has been published in the Journal of the American Society of Dentistry for Children. She maintains professional connections with pediatricians and family practitioners concerning childrens health issues.
Dr. Worthen and her husband William have two sons and one daughter. She enjoys her family time in the backyard, which usually involves digging in the dirt, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, gardening, photography, and reading a good book.
Dr. Jon Lords, a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, grew up in Idaho, attended Idaho State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors majoring in Biology. He next attended Creighton University School Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating Cum Laude with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Oklahoma Childrens Hospital followed by two years of specialty residency for pediatric dentistry at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. He holds memberships in the American Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Association, the Oklahoma Pediatric Dentistry Society, the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentists, and the Arbuckle Study Club.
Dr. Sarah Wallis Karnish, DDS is excited to return to her hometown of Ardmore and join the team at Pediatric Dental Associates. She attended Oak Hall Episcopal School, graduated from Ardmore High School, and then obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University.
After dental school, Dr. Karnish (affectionately known as Dr. Sarah to her patients) completed a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, TN. While there, Dr. Karnish served as the Chief Resident of the program and received a Master of Dental Science degree. She not only treated children at the UT pediatric dental clinic but was also afforded the opportunity to provide care at LeBonheur Childrens Medical Center and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.
Dr. Karnish is currently a candidate for board certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She has obtained her Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Conscious Sedation certificates and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Oklahoma Dental Association.