Gabriel Bird, DDS
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Dr. Bird was born in Norman shortly after his parents moved here from San Juan, Puerto Rico to teach at the University of Oklahoma. Growing up in Norman, He graduated from Norman High School then The University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, before attending the OU College of Dentistry.
Going straight into private practice from school Dr. Bird took over the dental office of Dr. J.R. White and has been practicing in Norman since 2007.
He became a father in 2010 when his daughter Emmerson was born. Always active in her life, he helped to coach her NYSA Rec Soccer team and participates in the Watch D.O.G.S. program at her school. In 2017 he welcomed his second daughter, Amelia and then his son George in November 2018.
In 2012 he met the love of his life, Erica Bird, owner operator of NEAT Title, a real estate title company, and in 2015 they were happily wed. Erica’s involvement with the Downtown Fall Fest Costume Closet and work on the Board of Transition House inspired Dr. Bird to give back with non-profit work as well. In 2015 he entered the nonprofit world joining the Norman Arts Council Board of Directors. During his time on NAC he served on the Programs and One Event Committees. After six years with NAC he has rolled off and is currently serving on the Mary Abbot Children’s house board. In addition to this Dr. Bird spent two years co-chairing the Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Tomorrow’s Leaders program, volunteers in the University of Oklahoma Suit Up event, and every year performs in the United Way Celebrity Sing fundraiser. As of 2019 Dr. Bird has joined the board of the Norman Downtowners association.
Ever striving to stay involved in the dental community, Dr. Bird is a Dean’s Circle member of the OU College of Dentistry’s J. Dean Robertson society. He further stays involved with the Oklahoma Dental Association as an Action Team Leader working with state legislators to protect the profession of dentistry in the political arena. Since 2018 he has served on the Admissions Committee at the OU COllege of Dentistry and since 2020 served on the Dental Practice committee for the Oklahoma dental board.
Dr. Bird is a graduate of Leadership Norman and was elected class graduation speaker. He has been recognized as part of Norman Next Under 40 in 2015, The Gazette’s okc.biz 40 Under 40 in 2016 and most recently the 2017 class of the Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40. Additionally he has been voted Norman’s best dentist multiple consecutive years on the Norman Transcript’s Annual Readers Choice Poll.
He loves Norman and is proud to call this town home!
In 2016 an opportunity to change Norman’s landscape came up when he had a chance to purchase a Downtown lot near the intersection of Main and Webster famously known as “The Old Lumber Yard.” A site that was unfortunately best known for being a long standing eyesore. For decades it sat unused, replete with abandoned buildings and a patchwork fence. The site is now home to Dr. Bird’s new state of the art dental office, as well as new retail space, currently occupied by Skinlab Injectables, and outdoor dining area currently occupied by Recess Taco Park. Completed in 2019 this project represents the first new construction in Downtown Norman since 1973 as well as being the first commercial construction under the City Center Vision Form Based Code.
In 2020 Dr. Bird led and completed a four year citizen driven effort to redesign the City of Norman’s official flag.
His latest project has brought miniature golf to Downtown Norman. Founded in 2021 Birdie Putt Putt Miniature Golf is located adjacent to his building at 227 W. Main St. and features a free to play 9 hole mini golf course. Each hole features a local nonprofit and players are encouraged to pick one and donate $10 when they play.