Advisory, ask questions of colleagues, and dig into advice from experi- enced friends, advisors or even AI. It’s an investment worth your time.
Don’t settle. If you’re unhappy in your current situation, explore your options. Dentistry off ers many ways to practice, and you should lever- age your professional network and look around — your dream practice is likely out there waiting for you, so don’t be afraid to search for it.
You worked in a public health clinic for six years before buying your practice in 2020. How did that experience prepare you for private practice? I worked at three sites across two rural community health centers in southwest Missouri. One had excellent mentorship and early leadership training from a director I still count as a friend, and working in that environment instilled in me a lot of confi dence. The variety of settings was also an education — diff erent teams, equipment, work- fl ows — and it taught me what worked as well as what really didn’t.
Ultimately, I realized that the biggest draws of public health — help- ing patients and enjoying stable benefi ts — could actually be better achieved in private practice, where I could build a team and system that refl ected my values. In public health, dental production often sus- tains the entire clinic — medical and behavioral health included — and yet dentists often have little control over operations. Over time, that misalignment was frustrating for me, and I fi nally decided to take the leap. I can tell you that it was the right move for me and, even with the timing of my transition in May 2020 (mid-pandemic), I’ve never regretted it.
What has been the hardest — and best — part of owning your own practice? Ironically, it’s the same answer to both: You’re the boss. Practice ownership brings freedom and responsibility. You get to make the decisions — and you also own the consequences, for better or worse. But I think that’s better than being subject to someone else’s decisions. Whether you’re an employee or an owner, you deal with the outcomes either way — so when you’re ready, I say: why not make those calls yourself?
As you continue in leadership, what’s something you’d like to see ac- complished within the Association — at the local, state, or national level — that would be especially valuable to new dentists? I’d love to see the MDA pilot a Mentorship Program facilitated by staff . We have so many experienced, generous dentists who would step up, and if we matched each new graduate (maybe through an “opt-in” during Signing Day) with a dedicated mentor for a year, that could be a huge value-add in a dentist’s fi rst year of practice. Having trusted colleagues to bounce questions and ideas off has been one of the most impactful parts of my career. Beyond advocacy, I think our profession’s commu- nity and peer support may be its greatest, most underrated benefi t.
Of all your current activities — dental, civic, or personal — what are you most excited about right now? This would’ve been a tough question for me not long ago — I’ve always loved being involved in diff erent community groups and projects. However, this past year my wife and I were blessed with the birth of our daughter, Edith, and since becoming her dad, nothing else comes close in terms of excitement or sense of purpose.
Tell us about yourself outside of dentistry — family, hobbies, favorite ways to spend free time, what recharges you? Family and friends are my greatest joy — especially over good food, drinks and maybe a board game. I’m also very active in my local (Episcopal) parish, which
has become a second family and a grounding place for me in exploring deeper truths and overarching meaning.
As for other recreation, I’m always listening to a podcast or audiobook (alas, no time to read anymore!), and I couldn’t be more all-in on the outdoors — from gardening in the backyard to nightly walks with my wife and daughter, to hiking and fl oating in the Ozarks. It’s my favorite place to escape and unwind. Whenever I can sneak away on a longer trip, I love exploring our National Parks. My offi ce is actually decorated with panoramas of Glacier National Park — one of my favorite places on earth!
Distinguished Service
Dr. Charles Poeschl
This award is presented to a member with a long history of exemplary service and dedication to the dental profession and organized dentistry.
T
his year’s award was presented posthumously to Dr. Chuck Poeschl, for his commitment and dedication through his 44 consecutive years of membership and during this tenure,
service in numerous leadership roles. He died September 26, 2024 and was a loving husband of the late Mary C. Poeschl for over 48 years and cherished father of M. Drake Poeschl.
Dr. Poeschl held numerous leadership roles within committees, coun- cils and his Greater St. Louis Dental district as well as being president of both Greater St. Louis and the MDA.
His impressive dedication continued even after the conclusion of his presidencies through volunteer roles. He was an active and well- respected participant of the Greater St. Louis delegation to the MDA House of Delegates from 2007-2017, serving as Greater St. Louis delegation chair twice. Always concerned with legislative issues, Dr. Poeschl also served on the MDA Legislative and Regulatory Commit- tee.
Dr. Poeschl’s involvement and support of dental student education further demonstrated his dedication to the profession.
He was a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Endodontics at Southern Illinois University from 2008-2022. He was also past adjunct faculty in end- odontics for the St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dentistry, where he also served on eight Thesis Committees for graduate stu- dents at the combined SIU/SLU Endodontic Program.
Dr. Poeschl was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, Inter- national College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was presented the GSLDS Gold Medal Award, the highest honor given by the Society, in 2006.
A valued member, leader, mentor and role model, Dr. Poeschl was truly beloved by colleagues and students alike. Selfl ess and humble, he never sought acknowledgement. He was a wonderful, kind person who made everyone’s lives better. He cared for people fi rst, always.
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