THE ART OF DENTISTRY - School of Dental Medicine - Case ...

THE ‘WRIGHT’ STUFF—100+ YEARS
The Wright family boasts four generations of CWRU dentists.
Frank Monroe Casto, M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., was dean of the
Western Reserve University (WRU) dental school from 1917 to
1937. He began his teaching career at WRU in 1904 as professor
of orthodontics, where he organized the school’s first orthodontic
clinic. He practiced in Cleveland and later in California with his
son, William A. Casto, ADL, D.D.S. ’27, ’29.
William’s nephew, Laurence Casto Wright, D.D.S. ’55, is
currently retired and living with his wife, Joan. He was honored
as a distinguished alumnus for 1989-90. The original practice
Larry opened in 1956 is still operating and drawing patients
from all over, says Douglas F. Wright, D.D.S., M.S.D. ’83,
’92, who continues in the practice with his brother, David M.
Wright, D.D.S. ’81. Both credit their father as a career example.
“Dad did not pressure us,” says David, “but we felt his influence,
in that we were around the practice in the summertime
and we talked about dad’s patients around the dinner table.”
Douglas notes that “I looked only at the CWRU dental school,
but I didn’t make the decision to become a dentist until my
junior year of college. Perhaps my children will decide more
quickly!” Douglas and his wife Laurie have three children: Andy,
a sophomore biology major at SUNY Geneseo; Timothy, a
senior in high school “who is interested in science,” and
daughter Lindsay who is in 8th grade.
According to David, “When I applied to dental school in 1976,
I knew that even with good grades and test scores, admission
would be difficult. But today I can honestly say that CWRU
was the right choice. It was a tough and challenging school that
made me a good dentist. I would
highly recommend CWRU to any
pre-dental student.” David lives in
Amherst, New York, with his wife
Dana Jace Wright, N.D. ’82. They
have a son William, 24, and a
daughter, Karen, 22, an athletic
trainer who may have an interest
in dentistry in the future.
Left to right: Andy, Laurie, Lindsay, Timothy,
and Douglas F. Wright, D.D.S., M.S.D. ’83, ’92
Frank M. Casto, Dean
1917-1937
The family looks forward to carrying on the tradition, says
David. “While my dad didn’t show much emotion when I
was first accepted to dental school, I know now that he was
absolutely delighted. As we go forward, we hope to get a dentist
out of the next generation of our large extended family—
18 grandchildren—and we hope that they choose CWRU.”
Continued
David M. Wright, D.D.S. ’81; Laurence C. Wright, D.D.S. ’55;
and Douglas F. Wright, D.D.S., M.S.D. ’83, ’92
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