By Kevin Patterson, D.D.S., M.D., CDA President
From the Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Winter 2025
As we welcome 2025, there is much ahead for all of us that will require an open mind and an open heart. Just as we are all preparing for the new year, Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND) is also preparing to welcome new clinical leadership while saying goodbye to an individual who has left his mark in the world of nonprofit, public health dentistry.
For 112 years, KIND has been a cornerstone of oral healthcare for underserved children in Colorado. Generations of leaders have ensured its mission continues to thrive, and for the past eight years, the organization has been exceptionally fortunate to have been guided by the steadfast and visionary leadership of Dr. Les Maes. His tenure at KIND has not only advanced the organization’s mission but has also elevated the broader dental community in Colorado.
Transformative Leadership That Set KIND Apart
Dr. Maes has redefined what it means to be a clinical leader of a nonprofit dental organization, achieving milestones that have profoundly impacted thousands of lives, both young and old:
- Establishing a Trusted Dental Home: Dr. Maes has helped KIND become a sanctuary of care, offering over 700 children and families access to consistent, quality dental care that otherwise would have been out of reach.
- Innovating Community Care: Through the integration of the ADA’s Community Dental Health Coordinators program, Dr. Maes and the KIND team have brought innovative solutions to address systemic barriers, improving accessibility for families across the state.
- Mentoring the Next Generation: Dr. Maes did not just treat patients; he nurtured future leaders. Dozens of dental assistants, hygienists, and now students from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine have gained their foundation in public health dentistry under his guidance, inspired by his passion and commitment.
Dr. Maes’ unique approach to leadership emphasized trust, community and education. He saw beyond the dental chair, focusing on empowering entire families with the knowledge and tools to embrace oral health as a lifelong priority. This comprehensive and compassionate philosophy has set KIND apart and solidified its reputation as a leader in public health dentistry.
A Life of Purpose and Dedication
Dr. Maes’ journey to dentistry was shaped by his upbringing in a small town in New Mexico, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of limited access to care. Inspired by the compassionate dentists who helped him as a child, he dedicated his life to ensuring that no one else would have to endure the pain and stigma of untreated oral health issues.
After earning his D.D.S. from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2001, Dr. Maes opened a private practice that prioritized care for low-income children and families on Medicaid or without insurance. In 2016, he joined KIND, where his influence grew even more profound. Beyond Colorado, Dr. Maes participated in international missions to provide critical dental care to children in Guatemala and Mexico, embodying his belief that healthcare is a universal right.
A Gift to Colorado’s Dental Community
Colorado’s dental community has been uniquely enriched by Dr. Maes’ presence. His work at KIND has demonstrated that nonprofit dentistry can be both innovative and deeply impactful. Dr. Maes and the team at KIND have raised the bar for what it means to provide care with dignity, breaking down barriers and shifting perceptions about oral healthcare within underserved communities.
Dr. Maes’ contributions extend beyond his clinical impact and include:
- His commitment to championing equity in oral health — changing paradigms within minority and disenfranchised communities.
- His emphasis on education and prevention, which has created lasting change, empowering families to prioritize oral health for generations.
- His personal financial contributions to KIND exemplify his unwavering commitment to the mission.
Dr. Maes’ influence resonates in every corner of KIND and the broader public health dental network, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership and community transformation.
A Community Leader at Heart
Dr. Maes’ dedication to service extends beyond dentistry. In his home town of Georgetown, Colo., he served on the community board actively contributing to the preservation of the town’s historic landmarks through the Historic Georgetown Institute. His commitment to preserving the past while shaping a healthier future mirror his work at KIND, where he has balanced honoring the nonprofit’s century-long mission while helping KIND move into a new era of innovative care.
A Legacy to Celebrate, A Future to Anticipate
At the end of 2024, Dr. Maes transitioned out of his role at KIND and returned to New Mexico to pursue new opportunities in dentistry.
The Colorado dental community has been extraordinarily fortunate to have had a leader like Dr. Maes. His belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, has guided every decision he has made, from treating underserved children to mentoring future professionals. Dr. Maes has not only set a gold standard for public health dentistry in Colorado, but he has also helped KIND inspire a model of care that will influence generations to come.
As KIND prepares to welcome new leadership, it does so with a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the incredible legacy Dr. Maes leaves behind. His tireless dedication, compassionate spirit, and transformative leadership have forever shaped KIND, the families it serves, and the broader dental community.
Cheers to you, Dr. Les Maes — an irreplaceable leader, a compassionate healer and a true champion for public health dentistry.
