Craft Makes Impact Around The World

Dr. Charles F. Craft spent decades traveling the world and putting his dental expertise to good use by helping the underprivileged.

“The opportunity to ease the suffering of those less fortunate gives one a greater sense of purpose in life,” he said.

Craft graduated from the UNMC College of Dentistry in 1980. He lived in Alaska for 20 years providing public dental healthcare to native Indian and Eskimo people. He then spent a decade in Cambodia working with the U.S. Embassy while participating in military humanitarian missions to more than 15 countries throughout Asia. In 1995, he started the East meets West Dental Program providing health care to underserved children living in rural central Vietnam. 

“To date, this program has welcomed more than 1,500 international dental volunteers while providing more than $30 million worth of free and modern dental care to more than 175,000 Vietnamese children,” he said.

In 2019, the American Dental Association honored Craft with its prestigious Humanitarian Award for his charity work in Vietnam and around the globe.

Now Craft serves as the State Dental Health Director for Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. When he has free time, you can find him on the tennis courts in Lincoln.

He picked up the sport close to twenty years ago when he quit playing softball and needed something else to do to stay fit. He enjoys the competition within USTA leagues and is always looking for ways to improve his game.

“I enjoy net play, but knee injuries have limited my mobility,” he added.

USTA teammates say he’s a welcome addition to their 3.5 level team, and enjoy the camaraderie as well as playing doubles with him.

“Fritz has done so much throughout the world helping people, we are so lucky to have him in Nebraska and on the tennis courts,” said Jon Braaten, USTA teammate. “He is a gentleman on and off the court.”

Craft’s two daughters also play tennis and he enjoys watching them compete as much as he enjoys playing.

“My daughters play high school tennis and participate in some USTA tournaments….watching them, and all the young players, having fun and playing the game so well is very inspiring, even for old timers!” he said.