STATE DENTAL GROUP HONORS LOCAL DENTIST

To his patients, he's a dentist. For Cape Girardeau Public Schools, he's a board member. To dentists across the state, he's an active member of the Missouri Dental Association.

For those efforts, Dr. Robert Fox of Cape Girardeau has been named the MDA's Dentist of the Year."I was very surprised," Fox said of the award. "I've always tried to be involved in the association and the community, and I guess that's why I was chosen."The MDA chooses its dentist of the year for service and dedication to the association and years of service.

Fox, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, began his Cape Girardeau practice in 1975."My wife and I both went to school in Cape and we loved it," he said, "so we moved here and have been happy ever since." Thinking he owes something to his profession and the community, Fox served as a member of the board of MDA for seven years, and during the past year has chaired the finance committee. He was elected to the Cape Girardeau school board six years ago and is secretary-treasurer of the Missouri School Board Association."Two of the things I hold dear are my job and education," Fox said. He's tried to improve both.

Fox said the Missouri Dental Association benefits the state's dentists through its legislative efforts and continuing education programs. As for his work on the school board, he said the present superintendent is the best he's worked with, and that good things are happening in the district. However, he hasn't decided yet whether he'll run for another term.

Fox said one reason he chose dentistry was to serve people in a medical setting while giving him time for his family and community work.

However, he said, keeping up with changes in dentistry requires a continuous effort."There are so many innovations in materials that it takes effort to keep up," Fox said. The MDA holds education courses. Plus he's a member of a local study club, a group of dentists that meets to talk about problems and solutions.

While new materials for implants and fillings are making dental procedures look better and last longer, the main thing many patients ear is pain.

While there have been some advances in pain management, Fox said that's an area where technique counts more than equipment or medications."A professor once told me to pave the way with words, and I've always tried to do that," Fox said. "I find that if you are kind, patient and explain things as you go along, things go much smoother."