You’ve participated in numerous local, state and national capacities. Is there a particular volunteer experience that really pushed you to stretch yourself or something you enjoyed more than any other role? Is there a specific achievement in your dental career that stands out in your mind of which you are most proud? Serving on the Missouri Dental Board afforded me many opportunities in the dental profession. One of those opportunities was becoming a Board Examiner. The friends I have made through examining have allowed me to do locum tenens in Alaska (a great place to fish and hike)! It has also kept my dental skills up to par by exposing me to dental trends throughout the country. You could say it has also helped give me ideas of fun things to do in retirement!
Recently you have been working on the Oral Preventive Assistant EFDA curriculum and training. You are aware there are skeptics about this type of EFDA being part of the workforce solution. What has your experience been in both developing the curriculum and leading the clinical training that gives you confidence an OPA EFDA can be successful in helping dental teams provide more preventive care? Missouri dentists are very lucky our dental leaders had the foresight and fortitude to persevere the political headwinds to develop the EFDA program in our state. OPA is just another brick in that wall. In my travels through examining, I am always proud to educate dentists throughout the country of Missouri and the MDA’s EFDA program. In Missouri we are fortunate to have such a well thought out plan for building the best dental team of any state in the country. Many of my fellow examiners are in awe of our foresight and our extensive program. The MSMDC dentists use EFDA to its full extent, building a dental team that is very efficient and benefits the public, including Medicaid patients, through the expanded workforce.
At its April Board meeting, the MDA put forth two names of dentists to serve on the Missouri Dental Board. Yours was one of those. You served this board for 10 years and as its president. What makes you want to serve again and how would you encourage practicing dentists to learn more about what the board does and why the practice act is important? I have been considering serving again on the Missouri Dental Board for some time. In the last 15 years since I last served on the board, much has changed within the dental profession in Missouri. With my experience serving on the board, current activities within the EFDA program, and examination exposure throughout the country, I believe I have a pulse on the trends influencing dentistry today. I would enjoy helping the Missouri Dental Board, Missouri citizens and dentistry in Missouri into the future.
Another volunteer activity has been to establish a dental clinic in Padre Las Casas in the Dominican Republic, having served for many years on trips to Jamaica to provide dental care. Tell us about this endeavor — how did it germinate, why did you want to do it, and has it brought new vigor for your clinical profession and providing care?While it may sound cliché to say “Covid changed everything,” in my case, it truly did alter my perspective. During an unexpected two-month stay in Florida (which I can’t complain about), a chance encounter during Mass on Mission Sunday left a lasting impression. Meeting a priest engaged in mission work in Padre Las Casas stirred memories of my father’s own dental missions in Guatemala during the ’60s and ’70s. This, combined with the surplus of unused dental equipment stored at MSMDC, sparked an idea. One thing led to another, and now I find myself overseeing a clinic nestled in the mountains of the Dominican
Republic. Engaging in mission work has brought immense fulfillment to my life. The gratitude of the people we serve is overwhelming, and the impact is deeply rewarding. If anyone feels compelled to contribute a week of their life to a worthy cause, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Mission work transcends borders and cultures, offering a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. It has undoubtedly reignited my passion for my clinical profession and reinforced the importance of providing compassionate care to those in need.
Each year the MDA acknowledges an outstanding new dental leader award winner. If there was only one piece of advice you could impart to new dentists, what would it be? In dentistry, we are truly blessed to have the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives. I hope every young dentist is deeply moved by the individuals they treat and feels compelled to give back, not only to the profession but also to the individuals we have the privilege to care for.
Of all your current activities—dental, civic, personal—is there something you are particularly excited about being a part of? Being Pops! There is nothing more important than family! As a dentist, I’ve found immense fulfillment in serving my patients and giving back to my profession. However, above all else, the role of being a Pops has shown me family is truly the cornerstone of happiness and fulfillment. I have six grandchildren: Elliott (11), Henli (11), Elyse (9), Adah Pearl (5), Zeppelin (5 months), and Oliver (5 months). Cherishing moments with these children and nurturing those relationships is the greatest gift life offers.
Tell us about yourself outside of dentistry … family, hobbies, favorite way to spend free time, what recharges you outside of dentistry. I couldn’t have had any better parents growing up. They exposed us to so much outdoor fun and traveling. We camped, hiked, learned to scuba dive, and sailed all over the country. There was a TV commercial in the early ’70s by Schlitz Brewing who said, ‘You only go through life once, so grab all the gusto you can.’ I guess that is why I never say no to a trip, to experience new things, or to explore new places. Remember, you are never too young to learn new things.
Outstanding New
Dental Leader Dr. Fallon Stiens
This award recognizes an MDA member in practice 10 years or fewer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, professional and ethical conduct, and volunteer activities in their community and organized dentistry.
D
r. Stiens has been a notable leader within the MDA New Dentist Committee since her graduation from the UMKC School of Dentistry in 2013. She has served nine years on the
committee and is ending her tenure as its current Chair. She has will- ingly served in other association roles, including within the Northwest Dental Society as president, as representative to the MODentPAC
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