Dr. David Woodburn serves AC, dental community
Dr. David Woodburn, a longtime Amarillo dentist whose decades of volunteer service have delivered millions of dollars in free dental care to underserved patients, has been named a 2025 Amarillo Globe-News Headliner following multiple independent award nominations highlighting his sustained impact on the community.
Woodburn will be honored at an in-person luncheon ceremony Jan. 29 for the awards, presented by FirstBank Southwest, along with 2025 Man of the Year Four Price and 2025 Woman of the Year Glenda Moore and the 10 named 2025 Citizens on the Move. Tickets are now available online at Amarillo.com/mwoy for the ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Woodburn is widely recognized for his leadership in bringing the Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) dental clinics to Amarillo — large-scale, two-day events that provide free dental care to people who otherwise lack access. Since 2011, five TMOM events in Amarillo have served more than 3,800 patients and provided more than $3.5 million in dental services, according to several community organizations and health-care leaders.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Woodburn graduated from Amarillo High School in 1965 and attended Amarillo College before earning his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. After completing his education, he served three years in the U.S. Public Health Service through the National Health Service Corps, providing dental care to underserved residents in the Rio Grande Valley before returning to Amarillo to open a private practice in 1975.
Woodburn’s civic involvement extends beyond dentistry. He currently serves on the Amarillo College Board of Regents, where he was first elected in 2000 and previously served as chairman. Community members also cited his involvement with professional dental organizations, local nonprofits and civic boards.
“Dental problems can affect one’s overall health. Untreated tooth decay and gum disease can lead to more serious problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Due to poor teeth and gum disease, people will often eat softer foods that tend to be high in calories and lead to weight gain and high blood pressure,” Dr. Woodburn was quoted as saying, in one nomination.
Over the course of five TMOM events in Amarillo, about 3,864 patients have been served with dental work and relief. Supporters noted that the Amarillo TMOM clinics have often served patients suffering from advanced infections, chronic pain and long-standing dental issues, with many receiving professional dental care for the first time in years.
Nomination letters consistently emphasized the broader health consequences of untreated dental disease and the barriers many low-income and uninsured residents face in obtaining care.
Woodburn partnered with the Downtown Women’s Center to bring the first TMOM event to Amarillo in October 2011. Executive Director Diann Gilmore credited Woodburn with identifying the urgency of unmet dental needs in the community and playing a central role in organizing, fundraising and staffing each clinic. Each event required roughly $60,000 in local funding, which supporters said Woodburn helped secure through direct outreach to donors and community partners.
Beyond Amarillo, nominators describe Woodburn as a driving force behind TMOM events across Texas and as a longtime board member of the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation, which coordinates charitable dental care statewide. Supporters also highlighted his willingness to travel frequently — often on weekends — to provide care to underserved communities.
Many pointed to Woodburn’s influence as a mentor. Several dentists and oral health professionals credited early volunteer experiences alongside him — including mission trips and TMOM clinics — with shaping their careers and commitment to service. Others described his ability to recruit, motivate and retain hundreds of volunteers, many of whom return year after year to participate in the clinics.
Woodburn is described as a steady, behind-the-scenes advocate for people who often fall through gaps in the health-care system, including low-income families, uninsured patients and individuals undergoing serious medical treatment.
The Amarillo Globe-News Headliner recognition honors individuals whose sustained leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the community. In Woodburn’s case, nominators said the recognition reflects decades of service focused on expanding access to care, mentoring future providers and quietly strengthening the Amarillo community.
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