football teams. It’s always great to see their kids growing up in my practice with a better outlook on life than what their parents were given. Being involved in my patients’ lives and in the community is truly the secret to a successful practice.
A colleague very near and dear to my heart is Dr. Bob Nelson. He is one of the main reasons I got involved in organized dentistry. He knew that I cared very much about the future of our profession. It wasn’t long before I was involved in almost every aspect of our organization.
Parallel to my activities with the MDA was my participation on the board of Delta Dental of Missouri. I endured 16 long, bit- tersweet years providing service under three CEOs. Joe Hopkins, who I served under first, was like the grandfather I never had. He sponsored many an event at MDA functions. I learned a lot from him and of course I got a firsthand look at the inner workings of an in- surance industry that many of my colleagues considered public enemy No. 1. The insight I gained prompted me to bring forth the idea of banning the Silent PPOs. In my final years at Delta, we made sure that the Silent PPO policies were not put into contracts. As it turned out, this was one of the MDA’s first pieces of state legislation passed as a clean bill. The people I consider my closest and dearest friends at Delta are Al Martinez, Julie Partney, Pam Summers and, yes, even Sandy Nickolas. We owe Rob Goren (current CEO Delta Dental of Missouri) a debt of gratitude for allowing Delta to have the partnership and relationship with us and our component societies. Despite the past sibling squabbles between organized dentistry and the insur- ance industry, I enjoyed being in leadership roles with both organizations. I believe we have forged a stronger relationship and com- munity partnership as a result.
With more than 30 years of involvement with the ADA and the MDA, you learn how to adapt and overcome the issues presented in organized dentistry. People ask me why I want to spend my time and energy to serve as President. The long and short of it is this is my way of giving back to the profession. The journey to the highest honor in the MDA begins and ends with the Board of Trustees.
I truly have to credit my scouting career as the teacher of my leadership skills and paving the road to the position I hold now. Since I was a kid, I loved the outdoors and being in- volved in community service projects. That’s all it takes to be an Eagle Scout! Despite all the issues with scouting in today’s world, it is the best teacher of life skills. My children, Robbie (33), Chris (31), Andrew (22) are proud Eagle Scouts. Faye and Gloria (17) de- fine “camping out” as a night at the Marriott! I tell people I plan to retire to family, scout- ing and (camping out) with Faye on a sandy beach at the Marriott!
People also ask where do you find the time to do both and I say, you mean family, sports, scouting and dental association activities? Time management is very important but, ultimately, your really have to want to do it. I understand if it’s just not your thing, but my plea to you all is this: do it to give back to the profession that has given you so much! To our non-member colleagues who ask me “why should I be a dues-paying member”, I can point out a full-page sheet of endorse- ments giving them discounts on products and services. I can point out the legislative efforts in our state and federal government that has kept their practices from undue regulations and mandates. I can point out that there is power in numbers when dealing with insurance issues. Most importantly I can certainly drive home the fact that our efforts have kept their practices afloat with grants and PPP loans amid COVID-19. I could go on!
My goals for 2021 are simple: maintain the course, continue to show value to our mem- bers, be financially conservative and continue beating that war drum on legislative issues. My perspective on life from an unknown author: “There are those who make things happen ... Those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened … Hopefully you’re in the first group!”
Have a great holiday! f
Contact Dr. Tait at
president@modental.org or 816-223- 6924.
and Board Changes
The MDA House of Delegates met virtually on November 6, 2020 and MDA officers were installed by Dr. Michael Medovic, the new ADA Sixth District Trustee. These included: Drs. Rob Tait, President; Tom Stone, President- Elect; Jon Copeland, Treasurer; and, Lynne Barbour, Speaker.
Dr. Tom Stone President-Elect
In addition to officer elections, Dr. Earl Larson, Greater St. Louis Trustee, was recognized as he concluded his service. Replacing Dr. Larson on the Board is Dr. Lori Roseman. She is a general dentist who practices in St. Peters and is a 1989 graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Dr. Roseman has been a long-time MDA and ADA delegate and was the GSLDS president in 2018.
Dr. Lori Roseman GSLDS Trustee
In related news, MDIS wishes to recognize Dr. Kent Powell as he concluded 15 years of service on the MDIS Board. Coming onto the MDIS Board to fill that vacancy as a director is Dr. Michael Berry, MDA Immediate Past President. Dr. Berry also will serve a one- year term on the MDA Foundation board as immediate past president. Dr. Dan Kessler also comes off the MDA Board of Trustees as immediate past president, and he too has been elected to be a director on the MDIS Board.
Dr. Kent Powell 15 Years MDIS
ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2020 | focus 9
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