From the Fall 2018 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
The CDA is composed of 11 local component societies. The CDA Board of Trustees has a representative from each of these components in addition to the New Dentist Committee and the Colorado chapter of the America Student Dental Association. These are the volunteers representing you at the state level.
Arkansas Valley Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Jacob Mackey
Where do you practice? Lamar, CO
Where did you go to dental school? University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? I mowed lawns for neighbors.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Probably a tie between endo and oral surgery.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Develop systems and expectations, and then get out of their way.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? I probably would have chosen a career in medicine.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? Being a member of my local society allows me to learn from my colleagues.
Boulder/Broomfield Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Jonathan Boynton
Where do you practice? Boulder, CO
Where did you go to dental school? Tufts University and University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (periodontics)
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first job was feeding the dairy cows on the Garrison farm in the small hamlet of Wallkill, NY.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Outside my clinical experience, I enjoyed working with my hands in the lab.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Always manage your team with dignity and respect.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? I have worked professionally as a finish carpenter and a bench scientist in the genomics industry. Of the two, I enjoyed carpentry the most.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? My participation in organized dentistry allows me to positively and effectively promote the interests of my colleagues. Our fellowship helps maintain the integrity of our profession.
Colorado Springs Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Tim Stacey
Where do you practice? Colorado Springs, CO
Where did you go to dental school? Medical College of Virginia – Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Colorado School of Dentistry (GPR)
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first job was delivering papers in my Long Island, NY neighborhood.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? My favorite dental school class was gross anatomy. I was also vice-president of social activities for our entire medical campus.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? My advice for managing a dental team is to be a team player, as well as a leader, and to treat all team members with respect.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? If I were not a dentist, I would probably be in sales.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I have been a member of the ADA, CDA and CSDS since 1990 because I feel passionately about the field of dentistry. With my daughter in dental school now, I am especially motivated to do my part to help our profession flourish.
Larimer County Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Zach Alleman
Where do you practice? Fort Collins, CO
Where did you go to dental school? Baylor College of Dentistry
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? Pushing carts and bagging groceries at Winn Dixie when I was 15.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? My favorite class was pediatrics; my favorite activity was the “Dental Olympics.”
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Give more praise than you think is necessary.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? Librarian or park ranger
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I have seen the benefit of organized dentistry’s ability to lobby for the dental profession, and I enjoy the relationships formed with dentists all over the state.
Metro Denver Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Jeff Lodl
Where do you practice? Arvada, CO (I also will be doing some van work for Dental Lifeline Network.)
Where did you go to dental school? University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and Denver General Hospital (GPR)
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first jobs were typical…mowing yards, shoveling snow, cleaning soy bean fields and working at McDonald’s
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? I don’t know that I had a favorite class. But I truly enjoyed once I got to clinic and got to help actual people and get to know them and their lives.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Don’t demand anything. Figure out how to gently guide them down the path you all have envisioned that you want to be on TOGETHER.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? If I had known more about what engineering actually did back then, that might have been a career I pursued. But I always say dentistry chose me!
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? The dentist I bought my practice from took me to a dental meeting of the then called “Jeffco Chapter” to introduce me to some colleagues. The next year, the officers asked if I would serve as secretary. I have been involved with MDDS ever since and have been a CDA delegate almost every year as well. We need to keep organized dentistry strong and active, now more than ever.
Northeastern Colorado Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Jeane Schoemaker
Where do you practice? Fort Morgan, CO
Where did you go to dental school? University of Colorado School of Dentistry
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? Waiting tables at our local country club.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Oral surgery
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Always be pleasant and fair. Be interested in the employee.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? No idea, I always wanted to be a dentist.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? Being involved in organized dentistry has always been very important to me; I believe it’s the only way you can help shape the future of dentistry and thereby your professional future. It is important to have a say in the regulations and laws that affect your practice and your patients. Go ADPAC and CODPAC! On a more personal level, being involved brings you in contact with dentists from all over the country. The friends you make and the connections you establish are invaluable.
Rio Grande Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Bob Provorse
Where do you practice? Salida, CO (I retired on July 1 but fill in locally as an independent contractor.)
Where did you go to dental school? University of Iowa
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first job was delivering the Sioux City Journal morning paper.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Gross anatomy was my first favorite; waxing lab was my second favorite!
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Take the time to train them well.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? Never found it.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? Dentistry needs advocates and comradery; organized dentistry provides that.
San Juan Basin Dental Society
Trustee: OPEN
Southeastern Colorado Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Steven Reck
Where do you practice? Pueblo, CO
Where did you go to dental school? Howard University and Temple University (oral and maxillofacial surgery residency)
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? U.S. Air Force
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Surgery
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Understanding your team members’ strengths and weaknesses.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? Engineering
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I believe in the strength in unity of our profession.
Weld County Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Nate Kunzman
Where do you practice? Greeley, CO
Where did you go to dental school? Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? I cleaned bars, dental offices, and union halls in Boston, MA.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? I was on an intramural dodgeball team.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Have patience and always try to bring out the best in people.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? I think I would be a high school biology teacher. I taught high school biology for a year when I was applying to dental school and loved it. I also coached a JV soccer team.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? Being a part of organized dentistry is such a central and important piece of my professional career as a dentist. My experiences within the CDA have taught me an enormous amount. The benefits of tripartite membership go well beyond just endorsed product discounts, access to a plethora of professional materials and legislative advocacy. Being a member of the CDA and ADA shows that you care about your profession, and you are committed to making a difference in the dental world, not only for yourself but for your patients and colleagues. When you’re a member you’re a part of something bigger. I couldn’t imagine being part of this profession and not being a member of the ADA.
Western Colorado Dental Society
Trustee: Dr. Sheena Schoch
Where do you practice? Hayden, CO
Where did you go to dental school? University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first job was in construction. Home building is one of my lifelong passions.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Operative dentistry
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Keep positive, even if you need to force yourself to do it. It will allow you to capitalize on success and see the potential in a difficult situation. Show off your own beautiful smile and watch life improve every day.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? If not a dentist, I would be an inventor and jockey.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I am a member of the tripartite because I believe in giving strength through our involvement, one by one, in an organization focused on the health and success of both dentists and patients.
CDA New Dentist Committee
Trustee: Dr. Shaheen Moezzi
Where do you practice? I practice in a mobile fashion providing anesthesia in different dental and dental specialty offices throughout Colorado. I’m also building a brick and mortar practice across the street from Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver, CO to cater to patients with special needs including developmental and intellectual disabilities. We’re set to open in October of 2018.
Where did you go to dental school? University of Southern California
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? My first job was as a lifeguard in Las Vegas, NV.
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Building comradery with my classmates burning the midnight oil in the lab for posterior fixed.
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Lead by example.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? If I wasn’t a dentist I would be a high school teacher and coach. My high school teacher and soccer coach taught me some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned to date.
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I’m a member of the CDA, ADA, and local component because I have always connected with genuine thoughtful people at the events I attend.
American Student Dental Association (Colorado Chapter)
Trustee: Austin Tyler (DS3)
Where do you practice? Still in school.
Where did you go to dental school? University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
What was your very first job (dental or non-dental)? U.S. Air Force
What was your favorite class or activity in dental school? Wax lab
What is your #1 tip for managing a dental team? Give credit where credit is due and acknowledge individual achievements.
If you were not a dentist, what would be your career/job? Architect
Why are you a member of the ADA, CDA and your local component? I believe organized dentistry is the key to preserving the greatness of our profession.