WINTER 2025 | VOL 105, NO 4


Focus MDA (ISSN 0887-4646 USPS 284-840), Copyright © 2025 by the Missouri Dental Association is published four times per year by the Missouri Dental Association, 3340 American Ave, Jeff erson City MO 65109. Business and Editorial Offi ces: 3340 American Ave, Jeff erson City MO 65109. Accounting and Circulation Offi ces: Missouri Dental Association, 3340 American Ave, Jeff erson City MO 65109. Call 573-634-3436 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Jeff erson City, Mo.


POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Missouri Dental Association, 3340 American Ave, Jeff erson City MO 65109.


MISSOURI DENTAL ASSOCIATION address: 3340 American Ave, Jeff erson City MO 65109-1088 phone: 573-634-3436 or 800-688-1907 | fax: 573-635-0764 email: info@modental.org | web: modental.org


EDITOR } Dr. Douglas Wyckoff editor@modental.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR } Vicki Wilbers vicki@modentalmail.org MANAGING EDITOR } Melissa Albertson melissa@modentalmail.org


The editor, staff and Board of Trustees are not responsible for any opinions or statements of fact in submitted articles. The MDA does not endorse views represented in submitted articles nor do such express MDA policy, unless stated. MDA reserves the right to reduce, revise or reject manuscripts submitted. For questions about editorial content, advertising, subscriptions, legislative aff airs or membership please contact the MDA.


MDA OFFICERS & BOARD OF TRUSTEES


PRESIDENT } Dr. Ron Wilkerson | 573-265-8402


PRESIDENT-ELECT } Dr. Emily Mattingly | 660-646-3802


TREASURER } Dr. Mack Taylor | 573-293-6930


GREATER ST. LOUIS TRUSTEE } Dr. Emily Hahn | 314-626-4579


GREATER KANSAS CITY TRUSTEE } Dr. Wendy Weimer | 816-812-6770


GREATER SPRINGFIELD TRUSTEE } Dr. Ashley Meyer | 417-773-1993


CENTRAL TRUSTEE } Dr. Philip Batson | 573-875-7071


NORTHEAST TRUSTEE } Dr. Lisa Bosch | 660-397-2213


AFFILIATED CONTACTS WEB FEATURE} MDA + ADA


Register for Dental Day 2026 Save the date for the 2026 Dental Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 4! Register by February 9. MODENTAL.ORG/DENTALDAY


ADVERTISERS thank you to our issue advertisers:


Centene: 19 Medical Protective: 5


MDIS: 2, 12, 21, 25 Missouri AGD CE: 15


Find more services and savings at modental.org/savings.


ON THE COVER The McBaine Burr Oak on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (about a half-mile from the Missouri River bank) near Columbia, Mo. is estimated to be between 350- 400 years old. It stands alone: no other tree is within 1,000 feet. It’s the largest burr oak tree in Missouri and is tied with one in Kentucky for the title of the national champion (largest) of the specie, Quercus macrocarpa. The tree’s trunk, with an impressive 287-inch circumference, is approximately 90 feet tall with a 130-foot spread. It would take four full-grown men to wrap their arms around the trunk. Kyle Spradley Photography, shutterstock.com.


4 focus | WINTER 2025 | ISSUE 4


mda mission: helping all dental professionals succeed the MDA is proud to serve our members through our various subsidiaries


AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION } 800-621-8099 | ada.org Dr. H. Fred Howard, Sixth District Trustee 606-273-3999 | howardf@ada.org MDA COMPONENT SOCIETIES } modental.org/components MISSOURI DENTAL INSURANCE SERVICES } 800-944-7550 | mdis4dds.com MDA FOUNDATION } Dr. Darren Mahaff ey, Chair | modental.org/foundation MODentPAC } Dr. Kirk Opdahl, Chair | modental.org/pac


VOLUNTARY WELLNESS PROGRAM } 314-435-1101 | modental.org/wellbeing Rebecca Mowen, LCSW, SAP, CIP, CADC | wellbeing@modental.org


MISSOURI DENTAL BOARD } 573-751-0040 | dental@pr.mo.gov Brian Barnett, Executive Director | pr.mo.gov/dental.asp


MISSOURI OFFICE OF DENTAL HEALTH } 573-751-5874 | oralhealth@health.mo.gov Dr. Megan Krohn, Chief Dental Consultant | health.mo.gov/living/families/oralhealth


NORTHWEST TRUSTEE } Dr. Fallon Stiens | 660-783-2205


SOUTHEAST TRUSTEE } Dr. Steven Schoolman | 573-334-5566


SOUTHWEST TRUSTEE } Dr. Jon Reagan | 417-451-2403


NEW DENTIST REPRESENTATIVE } Dr. Rachel Parker | 816-364-6444


LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY CHAIR } Dr. Michael Berry | 660-263-1133


SPEAKER } Dr. Amanda Fitzpatrick | 660-385-3413


EDITOR } Dr. Douglas Wyckoff | 816-632-2822


IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT } Dr. Jon Copeland | 636-273-5866


MODENTAL.ORG/CONNECT


the MDA is a state constituent of the


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