SUMMER 2026 | VOL 106, NO 2


Focus MDA (ISSN 0887-4646 USPS 284-840), Copyright © 2026 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, Editorial, Accounting and Circulation Offi ces: 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. Emily Mattingly | 660-646-3802


PRESIDENT-ELECT } Dr. Amanda Fitzpatrick | 660-385-3413


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


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


Did you know that as an MDA member you receive substantial EFDA course savings?


What’s more, many providers send multiple team members to multiple courses in a year’s time, only increasing the member savings opportunity! Learn more about building a stronger dental team with high-quality EFDA and dental team training through the MDA. Read more about the status of the Periodontal EFDA Rule and OPA on pages 13 and 14 of this issue and learn more at MOEFDA.ORG.


WEB FEATURE} MDA + ADA


2027 C4S June 24-26, Plan to Join Us Thanks to all who helped make it a great Connect4Success at Margaritaville Lake Resort! We’re saving you a spot for next summer’s event! Bring your family and team. MODENTAL.ORG/C4S


ADVERTISERS thank you to our issue advertisers:


Centene: 21 Medical Protective: 5 Mid-Continent Dental Congress: 11


MDIS: 2, 7, 15, 19 Missouri AGD CE: 15


Find more services and savings at modental.org/savings. 4 focus | SUMMER 2026 | ISSUE 2 the MDA is a state constituent of the


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


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. Anna Nine | 417-451-2403


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


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


SPEAKER } Dr. Danielle Riordan | 636-928-1100


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


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


MODENTAL.ORG/CONNECT


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


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