on seeing Dr. Pratt at every MDA event and consistently supporting the Association in its advocacy and charitable giving efforts, including the annual Legislative Day and Missouri Mission of Mercy.
Dr. Pratt is a volunteer for the Donated Dental Services program, which provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to Missouri’s most vulnerable people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile, and who cannot afford necessary treatment and cannot get public aid. He is a Fellow in the International College of Dentists and a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, and currently serves as its Missouri Section Secretary/Treasurer.
Within his community, Dr. Pratt is a member of the Unionville Rotary Club and is a past president. He is a member of the Putnam County Historical Society and past president, and current vice-chair of Unionville Historic Square Inc., a preservation non-profit. Dr. Pratt is president of the Unionville Cemetery Association and a member of the Unionville Economic Development Commission.
Dr. Pratt received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UMKC School of Dentistry in 1977, after which he began practicing in Unionville, joining his father in practice.
The Distinguished Service Award is typically given to dentists trending toward the end of their dental career and volunteer service. You aren’t yet retired from your practice, but as that grows closer, what in this next chapter are you particularly looking forward to? I hope to spend more time at some of the things I used to do frequently, such as fishing, walking in nature, bird watching and identifying flowers and fungi. Also, I come from a line of savers and have three generations of “stuff” to sort through, distribute and discard (really, I do look forward to this.)
It’s been a year to remember—not only for winning this award, but for the impact of COVID-19. What have you learned about yourself, your practice, your team and your patients as a result—mentally, physically? Are there changes you’ve made that while the pandemic maybe forced, in retrospect, you now feel it was good they were brought about? This response probably comes from having aged nearly 69 years, and from the advice of a high school teacher. Mr. Hounsom would say to us when we complained about some untoward event or result, “A hundred years from now you’ll never know the difference.” Like many other things that have changed the way we practice dentistry, or affected our lives, it won’t seem to have been as big an inconvenience as it does now. That said, my staff has been great accepting and implementing the changes we’ve needed to make. This has been reassuring to patients who are taking the inconveniences in stride.
You’ve participated in numerous local, state and national capacities, including being an MDA Past President and past MDA Foundation Chair. Is there a particular volunteer experience that really pushed you to stretch yourself or something you just really enjoyed more than any other role? You’ve also served with a wide range of MDA members. Speak to what makes a good volunteer member in your mind. I especially enjoyed my time on the Foundation Board and being in leadership when Darren and Sarah Mahaffey proposed the first Mission of Mercy. To help guide this and see what MOMOM has become is very rewarding. A good volunteer is someone who is willing to do whatever is needed to advance a project. It doesn’t matter if you are the engine starter or the tail pipe or something in between, what you do matters.
Each year the MDA acknowledges an outstanding new dental leader award winner. If there is any knowledge you could impart to new dentists that you wish someone would have told you early in your career, what would it be? I am the son of a dentist who was an excellent clinician, notably ethical, and involved with NEDS and the MDA. My advice would be to identify a colleague like that and establish a relationship. This will be a benefit to both. The best way to find that person is through the MDA and your local society. On another note, recognize the impact your caring has on your patient is as important as your care.
You live and work in a small, rural Missouri community and as such are involved in numerous civic aspects, including Rotary, the historical society and economic development commission. What would you say to encourage a new dentist to come and practice in a small town like Unionville? Small towns offer a great opportunity for a new dentist who wants to own and manage their practice, as that is still the expectation of the community. It is easy to become involved in civic activities and known to potential patients. The population is generally stable and so is your patient base. It is a safe place to raise a family.
Of all your current activities—dental, civic, personal—what are you most excited about being a part of and why? Although “excited” might not be a term generally used to describe me, I am part of an effort to improve Unionville’s prospects. We are working to preserve buildings on our town square and promote sustainable business activity. That has become a challenge with the inconveniences of the pandemic, yet I am pleased to be involved in this with my community.
Tell us about yourself outside of dentistry … family, hobbies, favorite way to spend free time? I live on 13 acres with two horses, five cats, and the love of my life, Jane—we have been together for 39 years. We each have a sister and brother-in-law, and oddly, with no children among us. I am an avid gardener who enjoys growing something new or unique each season. Taking care of the animals and the fences and farm buildings is a great relaxation in contrast to the fine details of dental work.
Legislative Excellence Shantel Dooling
Shantel (Smith) Dooling was honored with the MDA Legislative Excellence Award for her work as former MDA Legislative and Regulatory Director, a position she maintained through May 2020. Typically, this award honors lawmakers who have been a friend to the dental profession in support of MDA priority legislation. The 2020 legislative session marked the third consecutive year in which the MDA passed its entire legislative agenda, as well as ensuring dental program budgetary funding remained stable—attributed in large part to Dooling’s efforts as a staff member of the MDA’s advocacy team. Dooling is now the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Missouri State Medical Association. The MDA looks forward to working in the future with Dooling as both associations collaborate on legislative healthcare initiatives.
ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2020 | focus 25
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