In addition to all the dentists, OPAs, RDHs and office administrators doing exceptional work within this project, we (the MDA Board and the MDA team) also especially thank Dr. Guy Deyton, the Office of Dental Health and the Missouri Dental Board. We thank every person who has in some way provided the pilot project and entire EFDA program support. And we again call on the dentists of this state — the members of this association — to continue to stack the blocks and help us build upon what has already been accomplished.


Visit modental.org/opapilot for Missouri workforce distribution maps, pilot project reports and more. For questions, email Vicki at vicki@modentalmail.org. Below are a few pictures from


courses we’ve hosted in our wonderful Clinical Training Center. Read an update on pages 32-33!


MDA Governance Task Force Begins Its Work T


he assembly and activities of the MDA Governance Task Force has begun, with its goal to increase participatory governance and explore alternatives to the MDA House of Delegates. This past June, the MDA House of Delegates adopted Resolution 2025H-7


that directed this effort. Since then, considerable work has been done to adhere to its directives, including the assembly of the task force by Dr. Amanda Fitzpatrick, MDA Speaker. The process allowed self-nominations from which a 15-member taskforce was established.


Dr. Fitzpatrick reported to the MDA Board during its September meeting. She outlined the taskforce structure, explaining her goal to bring together members with new and historical per- spectives to discuss changes to create more participatory governance and increased membership engagement.


To show its commitment to this process and its goals, the Board agreed to hire a facilitator to lead and navigate the governance discussion. The MDA has spent years addressing overarching governance structure matters and felt strongly that a consultant would benefit the work of the group. MDA has chosen Vista Cova, which brings extensive background in this type of facilita- tion. Vista Cova will engage members, ask difficult questions, listen deeply to varied perspectives, identify points of insight and consensus, and craft a shared vision. This type of focus ensures the members of this task force will know it is their perspective, expertise and passion that are represented.


The process of this work will be led by Lowell Aplebaum, Vista COVA CEO, and will be aided by a team that includes a researcher, and a client experience and program expert. Lowell’s clients number in the hundreds. His work with healthcare associations includes recent and ongoing work with the Georgia Dental Association and the Society of Hospital Medicine. We are excited to bring him onboard to help lead this exploration, along with Dr. Aaron Bumann, who will aptly serve as task force chair.


We’ll continue to keep members informed of task force outcomes. MDA appreciates all who submitted their name for consideration, with the following chosen for this important work:


• Central: Phil Batson, Chris Kollath, JC Standlee • Greater Kansas City: Aaron Bumann (Chair), Garret Cochran, Wendy Weimer • Greater St. Louis: Bob Butler, Emily Hahn, Robyn Hayes, Megan Lenahan, Danielle Riordan, Robby Thompson


• Greater Springfield: Ahad Saqib • Southeast: Dennis Nguyen • Southwest: Aldo Del Sol Martinez • Non-Voting Members: Rachael Parker (New Dentist Committee Liaison), Amanda Fitzpatrick (Speaker)


• Staff Liaisons: Margie Kunze (Governance Manager), Vicki Wilbers (Executive Director) RESOLUTION 2025H-7


RESOLVED, that a task force, whose composition is representative of the percentage of active membership by component society, be appointed by the Speaker of the House in consultation with the Board of Trustees to be charged with increasing participatory governance and exploring alternatives to the MDA House of Delegates; and be it further,


RESOLVED, that the taskforce shall identify a structure or process to ensure continued member- ship engagement and input on policy matters; and be it further,


RESOLVED, that the task force through the Board of Trustees provides an interim report back to the 2026 MDA House of Delegates.


For questions, email Dr. Fitzpatrick at amandafitzpatrick613@gmail.com or Vicki at vicki@modentalmail.org. ISSUE 3 | FALL 2025 | focus 15


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