About Dr. Robert Fry

Founder of Fry Orthodontic Specialists in 1977.

Dr. Robert Fry graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry in the top 1% of his class. After graduating, he attended the University of North Carolina where he received his Master of Science (MS) degree in Orthodontics.

In 1977, Dr. Fry began his private practice in the Kansas City area. For three years in a row, the Kansas Award for Excellence awarded Fry Orthodontics the highest ranking for their commitment to the community. In fact, Fry Orthodontics is the only health care provider to ever receive this honor. Winning this award allows Fry Orthodontics to compete for the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. Also, Fry Orthodontics continually conducts extensive orthodontic studies, resulting in several publications.

Dr. Robert Fry participated in numerous Alpha Test Projects including:

  • The first ceramic orthodontic appliance
  • The first Occlusal Slot Lingual orthodontic appliance
  • The Damon Comfort System orthodontic appliance
  • The Invisalign System (including both adolescent studies done by Invisalign). Dr. Fry is one of 7 orthodontists from around the world to sit on Invisalign’s Clinical Advisory Board.

Dr. Fry has invented many orthodontic appliances and techniques. He lectures both nationally and internationally on orthodontic treatment procedures and practice management. All honoraria from these efforts are donated to charity.

“Orthodontics is a fantastic career that allows you to positively touch the lives of so many people by helping them achieve the smile they’ve always wanted! I love that. For over 30 years we have created a warm and inviting atmosphere where patients feel at home while receiving the highest quality orthodontic care.”

Dr. Robert Fry

Dr. Fry currently maintains a position of Adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Southern California (USC), New York University (NYU) and the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry (UOP). He served as the President of the Kansas Dental Association in 1987. In 2002 he received the Martin L. (Bud) Schulman Award for highest achievement in the Orthodontic Profession.

Fry Orthodontics Dr Robert Fry KidsHe is a part of local, national, and international charity efforts. In the past, he has served as a member of several international medical teams, taking him to countries such as Haiti, Russia, and India. He is a Fellow of the AAO Foundation, as one of the first of ten orthodontists to demonstrate commitment at this highest level. In 2008 Dr. Fry was awarded the Pinnacle Award by the Johnson County Library Foundation for Advocacy and Public Engagement. Dr. Fry was named Olathe Citizen of the Year in 2009.

He resides in Olathe with Mary, his wife, married since 1970. Mary has a PhD. in counseling and is a professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Their son, Dr. Jeremy Fry, joined Fry Orthodontics in the spring of 2006. Their daughter, Whitney, has a PhD. in International Public Health and lives in Nairobi, Kenya where she does relief work.

Ymca LogoYMCA Volunteer

In April of 1991, Dr. Fry brought together 12 community members in his living room to explore building a youth center in the Olathe Community. This dream resulted in the Olathe Family YMCA. Dr. Fry was so passionate for this cause that he encouraged his patients to help out: His challenge to them was to raise at least $3,000 dollars for the Olathe Family YMCA, and in turn, the patients could shave his head completely!

Eventually, that day came on Thursday, April 4th. Dr. Fry was handcuffed, put into a police car and escorted by city police to the barber. His charge? The $5,207 piled high in a fishbowl was enough proof that it was Dr. Fry’s time to fulfill his end of the bargain. The inevitable electric razor sheared off locks of his rainbow dyed hair as giggling patients and children in the community who had raised the money looked on.

As a result, Dr. Fry was selected as the Greater Kansas City YMCA Volunteer of the Year and has served as Chairman of the Greater Kansas City YMCA.

The Price Is Right Logo“Bob Fry, come on down!”

Little did Dr. Fry know when he made plans to attend a seminar with his staff in Los Angeles that he would return home a Showcase Showdown winner on the “Price is Right.” The staff urged him to go along with them to be audience members, even though he said that he’d rather just go back to the hotel and sleep. When he heard his name called near the end of the show, Dr. Fry thought it was all a bad dream, and that he was certain to make a fool of himself on stage. In fact, Dr. Fry walked away in shock with $22,000 in prizes!

After discussing the winnings with his family and staff, Dr. Fry decided to give back to the community by donating winnings to five local charities: the Olathe YMCA, Heart to Heart International Inc., Olathe Region United Way, Olathe Public Schools Foundation, and Living Hope Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Fry is pleased that his entire staff is devoted to community service and to improving the quality of life for others.