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AWARDS


Congratulations DENTIST OF THE YEAR Dr. James Stewart T


he MDA Dentist of the Year Award is designed to recognize a member dentist who has demonstrated outstanding service to the Association, to the profession of dentistry and/or to the community in the past year.


Over the past year, Dr. Stewart, who is a 1974 graduate of the UMKC School of Dentistry, has continued his tireless efforts working on behalf of the Greater Springfield Dental Society, the MDA and the ADA as an advocate, educator and leader for organized dentistry.


“I am honored receiving the award, but feel there are many others who deserve it more,” Dr. Stewart said. “I am impressed and deeply moved by the altruistic spirit that permeates virtually everything the MDA and our local societies take on.”


In part, Dr. Stewart was recognized for his efforts this year to serve on the Professional Services Advisory Committee of the Southwest Missouri Regional Health Commission. The Health Commission is a collaboration among a broad array of regional health care providers, government agencies and community organizations committed to address access to care and health outcomes for uninsured, under- insured and the underserved population in Southwest Missouri. Dr. Stewart organized and chairs a Dental Advisory Committee that attempts to address issues that the Health Commission has raised and is working diligently to have a dentist appointed to the board of directors.


He also served on the local Missouri Mission of Mercy Committee and as the “Restorative Lead” at the inaugural two-day clinic in September.


20 focus | NOV/DEC 2011


Dr. James Stewart, Dentist of the Year Dr. Gary Baker, Distinguished Service


Dr. Ross Bennett, Outstanding New Dental Leader


The annual MDA Awards Banquet, hosted each year at the House of Delegates, is a special event where pride in the profession clearly shines through. In addition to recognizing members who’ve served on the Board or who’ve held tripartite membership for 10, 25 or even 50 years, the event honors three members for their contributions to the dental profession and their community—through the Dentist of the Year, New Dental Leader and Distinguished Service awards. In addition this year, the MDA Foundation presented a new “Improving Missouri Smiles” award. We thank all award recipients for their efforts on behalf of the dental profession, as well as those who attended the banquet— member colleagues, family and friends—to honor the work of these exceptional individuals.


When asked about an experience that has been exceptionally meaningful to him, Dr. Stewart stated it was hard to beat MOMOM for being “near and dear to me and every other dentist.”


“I would have to classify this as the most rewarding experience, having witnessed the sincere appreciation all those hundreds of patients expressed at having one or more nagging and sometimes painful or disfiguring oral health problems addressed,” he said. “Being a restorative ‘lead’ was most rewarding in that I was able to witness and be part of the tireless dedica- tion of dentists from all over the state saving people’s dentition where we could, extracting where we couldn’t, working past ‘quitting time’ and eagerly sticking up that green card for the next patient even though they had been working since 5 a.m.”


Another important effort Dr. Stewart was recognized for was his role as a driving force behind MDA’s efforts to challenge the state MO HealthNet’s recent reimbursement audits. Dr. Stewart quickly recognized the state’s error, contacted the MDA, and encouraged involvement by the MDA and ADA until the issue was resolved. Thanks to his and may other’s efforts, the state returned thousands of dollars to Missouri dentists.


Regarding these and other efforts, Dr. Stewart noted that he finds great re- ward when he can help assist members to work through differing opinions and to make sure everyone has a voice that is truly heard—through com- ponent meetings, town hall meetings, resolutions brought to the House of Delegates or other forums where their ideas will be seriously considered.


When asked about something he’d like to be involved in or see accom- plished as he continued to serve organized dentistry, Dr. Stewart said he would like to see the oral health needs of more segments of our popula- tion met without inordinate public expense. “I want to assist in recognizing and utilizing existing resources—public and private—more effectively to meet these needs.”


Dr. Stewart was accompanied at the awards banquet by his wife, Debbie, who is his office manager and who also was extremely involved with the MOMOM clinic, serving on both days at the routing table, which was the “gateway” to the clinic.


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