Fray recognized for contributions to Special Olympics Texas

Professor David F. Fray, DDS, was recognized as a Golisano Health Leadership Award recipient for his contributions to Special Olympics Texas. Photo courtesy of Amy Ridall, DDS, MS, PhD.

Professor David F. Fray, DDS ’79, MBA, of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry has been named a Golisano Health Leadership Award recipient by Special Olympics Texas.

The Health Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership in Special Olympics Texas health programming and ongoing commitment to advancing inclusive health for people with intellectual disabilities. The 2024 award was presented at the 2025 Winter Games in February 2025.

Fray was honored for his more than 25 years of commitment to Special Olympics Texas and the Healthy Athletes program, which provides free health screenings in a fun, welcoming environment. The dental component of Healthy Athletes is known as Special Smiles.

“The Golisano Foundation has long been a leader nationally in promoting the health of persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” Fray said. “Tom Golisano and his wife, Monica Seles, have partnered with Special Olympics to improve oral and overall health for this vulnerable population, and I’m honored for our MOSAIC effort at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry to be recognized.

“We’ve trained hundreds of dentists, dental hygienists, dental students, and dental hygiene students over the past six years at Special Olympics Healthy Athlete events. This changes our perspective to see the individual as a future patient in their practice and develop skills in communication with both the person and their families. When we focus on the person, we see possibilities, not barriers.” 

Fray, who serves as a Special Smiles clinic director, was commended for his role in creating opportunities for athletes to receive dental care during Special Olympics Texas events.

His nominators wrote, “He is an integral part of our Special Smiles program, and we look to his expertise to guide the success of these initiatives.

“Dr. Fray has significantly impacted hundreds of athletes, ensuring they have proper dental care. He is incredibly in tune with the needs of our athletes and is a true advocate for them.”

Fray, who joined the Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health faculty in 2015, earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (then UT Dental Branch) in 1979. He completed an MBA with an emphasis in health care administration from Oklahoma City University in 1997.

After 15 years in private practice, Fray served 16 years as a public health administrator in Arkansas and Hawaii, focusing on geriatric and adult special needs care.

Fray was the chief of the Developmental Disabilities Division in the Hawaii Department of Health in Honolulu from 2002 to 2014. During his tenure, the division eliminated all waitlists and moved all services to community-based, self-determined outcomes. He also administered statewide comprehensive health and community support services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

He is certified in long-term care by the National Association of Boards, and he is a licensed nursing facility administrator with more than 30 years of experience as a special-needs and geriatric dentist.