involvement in organized dentistry. There is so much to be learned from the experience of other dentists not only in the art of dentistry but also in practice management.


What event in your career has been the most humbling/formative—perhaps some- thing you’re willing to share because of the lesson you learned or the impression it made? One of the most humbling and forma- tive experiences in my career came in 2017. For most of my adult life, I have had issues with my back. The discomfort had gotten to a point where I couldn’t stand, walk or even sit without pain. Tests showed there was a fracture in one of my vertebrae, likely caused by an old football injury in high school. The repair required spinal fusion. The first thoughts after hearing news like that were, “How am I going to run my practice with- out being there for a couple of months?” My wife and I came up with a plan to stay healthy before surgery and after, and to cover my practice a week at a time. My first call was to Dr. Merle Nunemaker. When I told Merle what was going on and what would be required, and asked him if he would poten- tially work a week for me, he answered, “One week? How about if I work two?” I was able to fill in six and one-half weeks in my office with friends I had made through my contacts in the MDA and Greater Springfield Dental Society—people I had met along my path of involvement. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through and kept my practice running without these dear friends. Thank you! It is humbling to ask for help sometimes, especially when it comes to your business, but that’s where friendships and relationships come in to play.


Why did you want be MDA president? What is something you desire to accomplish dur- ing your term as President you hope will have lasting results beyond your tenure in office? It is simple: I want to do everything I can, to give all my talents and abilities during this next year and beyond, to an organization which has given me so much and enriched my life for so long. I want other dental professionals to see this and become a part of the MDA. The past few years have been diffi- cult for us as individuals, as communities, as a country and as dental practice owners. The MDA (and ADA) worked tirelessly to help us


have in common that outweigh single differ- ences on one issue or another.


Dr. Stone and his wife, Rachel (high school sweethearts) at the 2021 House of Delegates Award Banquet.


get back to work, and establish new protocols to protect our patients, our staff and our- selves. They helped us locate needed supplies and they let our legislators know our needs regarding dental supplies and obtaining PPP loans. It was a tremendous advantage to be an MDA member during those times. I want to make sure that we continue to do that for members in the future.


What do you feel are opportunities for posi- tive growth and change within the MDA in the next year? Despite all the changes we’ve had over the past couple of years in response to COVID-19, I feel the future can be bright. In years past, we’ve had a history of how things “should” go, and now things are dif- ferent. New patterns have been established, and even though it looks to be incredibly challenging at times, this is the best time to move forward. We need to look at new ways to work together as dental professionals. It is time for us to have some uncomfortable, yet grace-filled conversations that move toward what we all want for our future. Dental prac- tice models are different than they were even five or 10 years ago. We still need to reach out to corporate dentistry and FQHCs and continue to find ways to bring us together around things we have in common. Perhaps one of the most harmful statements that we hear from time to time is, “I don’t like that particular issue, so I am quitting the MDA.” There still are many, many more things we


What advice or comments do you have to those members who are beginning their practices and families, who don’t feel they have the time to become involved or maybe don’t know how to get started? My advice to young members as they start their profes- sional careers is “learn to balance career and family.” Find a healthy way to “do it all.” Part of that balance includes belonging and engaging with other dentists. These friend- ships bring support, encouragement and opportunity to guide the future of practic- ing dentistry. My wife and I vividly recall a conversation we had early in our marriage. When I was a second-year dental student, she had just been accepted to law school and found out she was pregnant. My “can do” comment was, “we can do it all!” and we did. I’m telling you, as a parent with three grown, as I look back … did I make every single baseball game, soccer game, Scout meeting, drama rehearsal, youth group meeting or bal- let practice? No. I made the majority of them, because my family was and is a priority. My kids now tell me what they knew is that they mattered to me and so did my patients and colleagues. They saw me doing my best as a dad and as a dentist.


If a non-member asked you why they should pay dues to belong, what would you tell them? I would say they would become part of a great organization that cares about the interests of dentistry and how we treat our patients. Organized dentistry does many things on their behalf, like working legisla- tively to protect our profession, and helping to shape and reform issues in insurance.


What are your interests outside of den- tistry? Primarily, cooking or grilling. Sunday afternoons is my grilling day when I grill all the meat we will eat in the upcoming week. That way, when we come home after work each night, I can make dinner in 20 minutes. My wife and I both have demanding jobs and when you come home it’s hard to find the energy to cook and prepare a meal; but, over the past year I have decided to do this as a gift to her.


CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2021 | focus 9


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