{ association insights } Executive Office Updates


Dr. Ron Wilkerson Installed as 156th MDA President


C


ongratulations to Dr. Ron Wilkerson who was installed as the 156th MDA president on June 21, 2025 at the MDA


House of Delegates. Dr. Wilkerson will preside over each quarterly Board of Trustees meeting but also represent the MDA at various component meetings and at events of other dental stake- holder groups, at the state, regional and national levels. The MDA president also serves as an ex-officio member on the Missouri Dental Insurance Services board (the MDA’s wholly-owned insur- ance agency) and as a voting member on the MDA Foundation board (the MDA’s charitable subsidiary).


Dr. Wilkerson is the owner of St. James Dental Center, St. James, Mo., and Bourbon Dental Center, Bourbon, Mo. He has been in private practice since receiv- ing his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2008.


He has been an active member in the ADA, MDA and Central Dental Society. Prior to this MDA office, Dr. Wilkerson served as its President-Elect, Legislative and Regulatory Chair, Treasurer and New Dentist Committee Representative. Dr. Wilkerson is also a past president of the Central Dental Society.


He currently serves as a trainer for the MDA Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) program and is a leader for the MDA Oral Preventative Assistant (OPA) Pilot project. In 2021 he was given the MDA Executive Direc- tor Award of Excellence for his dedication and volunteer service to this project.


Rolla with my wife, Jamie, and son and daughter, Reed and Grace.


Who is someone who has influenced your life or been a role model. It’s hard to narrow down one single person that has been a role model throughout my life. I believe we admire and adopt the best qualities from the individuals we interact with. I was instilled with a hard work ethic by my parents as well as the notion that nothing is expected to be given to you; you must earn it. From the faculty in school, to the friends and col- leagues I’ve made in organized dentist- ry, all have made profound impacts in my practice philosophies and character.


Dr. Wilkerson serves as Chair of the Den- tal Advisory Committee of the Missouri Department of Health and Social Services. He is a member of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. In his com- munity, Dr. Wilkerson is a member of the St. James Chamber of Commerce and the Rolla Airport Advisory Board.


As is tradition in this magazine, Dr. Wilkerson has answered a set of interview questions to help you get to know him better.


Give us a biographical overview — where you grew up, went to school, live now, family, etc. I grew up in Granite City, Illinois. I spent my undergrad at Southern Illinois Univer- sity Edwardsville and completed my DMD in 2008 from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Since 2008, I have become a native Missourian. I live in


10 focus | SUMMER 2025 | ISSUE 2


What motivated you to decide on a ca- reer in dentistry — what was your career path? When I was a kid, everything at the dentist hurt. No matter what it was, it was never a pleasant experience, then we changed dentists. After this, everything was great, nothing bothered me. It was amazing. I believe that had a substantial impact on me and sparked interest in the profession. In high school I shadowed numerous dentists and really enjoyed the working environment, constant change from room to room and the respect the profession had. Once I gradu- ated, I enrolled in the combined BS/DMD at Southern Illinois University and never doubted it for a second. I’m lucky to be one of those people who truly love what they do.


What was your favorite or most memorable class (or teacher) in dental school? There were a few. The “is it textbook, no; is it going to work a long time clinically, yes” faculty always offered a great insight to life after school and how to take care of patients who couldn’t always afford the ideal. Dr. Art


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32