1994. Dr. Shearer has since retired to King City, Mo., with his wife of 34 years, Debra, who has stood by him since being married while in dental school.


The Distinguished Service Award is typically given to dentists after a lengthy career of giving back to others. Tell us about how the seeds of serving others were planted in your life.


I grew up in a coal mining town high in the mountains of Colorado. We were very isolated and travel was diffi cult, espe- cially in the winter months. My father and all my friends’ fathers worked in the coal mine. We shared healthcare providers with other communities. Healthcare was often put off as resources were limited. I was fortunate and did very well in school; from the time I was very young my family encouraged me to become a doctor to help others and to escape the coal mines.


Your early career was heavily infl uenced through the National Health Service Corps both as a scholar and dental director in Minnesota. This eventually led to you being named National Health Service Corps Dentist of the Year in 1998. Tell us what that experience was like and how it shaped your focus for the rest of your career.


I will always be grateful to the National Health Service Corps as they provided me the opportunity to complete my dental educa- tion. My fi rst employment was in Western Nebraska in a farming community, and I was immediately faced with the tremendous needs of children. We established many programs for children, and I was honored with the Dentist of the Year award. I was provided with a trip to Washington D.C. to receive the award. My wife, who also grew up very impoverished, accompanied me on this trip. The experience was overwhelming and we still talk about everything we saw and experienced to this day. I am so proud to be an American and to be provided the opportunities I have received. These opportunities made me want to give back and provide opportunities for others.


In 2004 you moved to West Plains to be the dental director of the Southern Community Health Service. Access to care is still an issue in parts of Missouri. Describe how bleak the opportunities were when you started in West Plains and tell us about your motivation to start an emphasis on serving children. What would you say to dental students to encourage them to consider living and practicing in rural Missouri; what myths would you dispel?


Southern Missouri Community Health Center was started in West Plains Missouri due to the dental needs of children. The school nurses were overwhelmed with children who were suff er- ing from toothaches. The closest provider that accepted Medic- aid was several hours away. This scenario was widely present in Missouri, as reimbursement was very limited for Dental Medicaid. Recruiting dental providers for rural areas, whether in private practice or community health, continues to be one of the greatest challenges everyone faces. Rural areas often lack the conveniences and opportunities that larger areas can provide. Often, young dentists are willing to live in rural areas, but the spouse fi nds it


challenging. Some of the greatest advantages of living in a rural area are a lower cost of living, sense of community, overall safety and outdoor recreational opportunities.


Mentoring has been a big part of your professional life as you took interest in both new dentists and new clinic leaders as the com- munity clinic model got established and expanded across the state. Finding a mentor is one of the most expressed needs of young den- tists. What do you think makes a good mentor-mentee relationship? What do you consider essential to pass on as a mentor? What advice would you give a new grad looking for a professional mentor?


I feel one of the greatest responsibilities of being a mentor is being a friend and someone that person can rely on. As dentists, we tend to focus on the dental aspect which is extremely impor- tant, but we often overlook the individual. Sometimes just being there to listen and to refl ect on your past experiences is what that young person needs most. Dentistry, especially private practice, can be very lonely at times and having someone to talk to besides your staff can be very comforting. When I was fi rst out of school a dentist in Western Nebraska would come by and take me to lunch once a week, Dr. George Schlothauer. George would ask me how I was doing and help me in any way that he could. George was very infl uential in my early career, and I will always be grateful to him.


You have served diff erent state level roles focusing on Medicaid and safety net services. What advice would you give a current colleague about being a Medicaid provider?


Being a Medicaid provider is one of the most satisfying and chal- lenging tasks a dentist can do. Medicaid can be confusing and, at times, overwhelming. My best advice is to make sure your staff attends Medicaid webinars and in-person training as much as possible. Their offi ces do want to help and support you. I have the same philosophy with all patients: be kind and listen. I didn’t always tell people what they wanted to hear, but people can sense when you are sincere and if you truly care about them as patients.


Is there a specifi c achievement in your dental career that stands out in your mind of which you are most proud?


The one achievement that really stands out in my mind is being able to provide early opportunities for so many dentists right out of school, including the opportunity for a pediatric dentist to move to West Plains and establish his practice. The need for their services was and continues to be tremendous.


Your retirement led you from southern Missouri up to King City in northern Missouri. What do you look forward to in retirement?


In retirement I am trying to spend time with my family; being a dentist often causes you to neglect your family.


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?


My advice to a young dentist is to take things slowly, look for ways to be happy every day, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.


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