MDA honors award recipients during Annual Meeting

MDA honored MDA members and members of the dental team for their leadership among their peers during the MDA’s Annual Meeting in Missoula in May. Dr. Timothy C. Ballweber of Helena was presented the 2014 Clinical Excellence Award. Ms. Linda Shafer RDH of Bozeman received the 2014 Outstanding Dental Hygienist Award and Ms. Alicia Leukuma of Kalispell was presented the 2014 Outstanding Dental Assistant Award. Dr. Daniel J. O’Neill, who has since passed away, was presented the 2014 T. T. Rider Award at a special recognition luncheon in Butte in March.

Dr. O’Neill was honored for his many contributions, service and leadership to dentistry, his community, state and country. He was noted for his commitment to charitable care on the courtesy dental staff at St. James Hospital, as an organizer of Butte’s community dental health clinic, through the Donated Dental Services program for seniors and disabled patients and other activities. Dr. O’Neill’s sense of community involvement was remarkable. His heart extended to others as a “Big” in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and he was honored as “Big Brother of the Year” in 2012. He was a past board member and bell ringer for the Salvation Army and a 20-year member of Kiwanis.

He used his MDA presidency to champion expansion of state support for dental students and other legislative issues. That experience and his early and long-time involvement in politics led him to a run for the Montana Senate as a Republican in 2012.

Dr. O’Neill combined his passion for dental care for those in need with his drive to expand dental education in Montana. He created a plan to recruit Native Amer­icans for dental school, expand the University Of Washington School Of Dentistry’s student rotations in Indian Country, and establish dental stations in Fort Peck Indian Reservation schools.

Dr. O’Neill joined the Montana National Guard in 2008 and became the Guard’s chief dental officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Army’s Bronze Star for his service to the oral health needs of our soldiers in Afghanistan and supported Montana’s “Partnership for Peace” mission in Kyrgyzstan.

“We can all draw inspiration from Dr. O’Neill’s remarkable life of family, service, compassion and leadership , said Dr. Mike Veseth, MDA past president.

“Dr. Ballweber’s excellence springs from a deep underlying commitment to always do his best to care for every patient,” said Dr. Joel Maes, in the Fifth District Dental Society’s nomination of Dr. Ballweber . “His determination to successfully care for his patients has informed his decisions in continuing dental education, physical plant, staff education and community involvement. He is known for accepting and expertly completing the most difficult cases without frustration. He exemplifies ‘Clinical Excellence in Dentistry’.”

Clinical highlights of Dr. Ballweber’s 28-year dental career include presenting to study clubs and dental meetings on orthodontic treatment of cleft lip/palate and other orthodontic topics, participation in Pankey Institute specialist courses, charter member Capital City Study Club, and advanced training in numerous orthodontic treatment modalities.

Dr. Ballweber is a leader and has the longest tenure for the State of Montana Children’s Special Health Services Program for care and treatment of Cleft Lip/ Palate patients. He has been recognized for his generosity toward the working poor and indigent community in Helena and Butte.

Following graduation from • Western Montana College, Dr. Ballweber earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Lorna Linda University,, a pediatric dentistry degree from UCLA and masters in orthodontics from Lorna Linda .

Dr. Ballweber has been a strong supporter of organized dentistry since 1985 as Fifth District Dental Society president, vice president, and secretary­ treasurer. He has a mentor relationship with young dentists in Helena and Butte and is an active member of the Montana Dental Association Montana Society of Orthodontists and served as its president.

“Linda Shafer has been a dedicated dental hygienist for 29 years,” said Dr. Thad Langford in her nomina­tion to be MDA’s 2014 Outstanding Dental Hygienist.

“She demonstrates the professional qualities that students and colleagues can choose to emulate. She is dedicated to her profession, professionalism, love of dentistry, community involvement and exemplary family devotion as wife and mother.”

“Linda always considers the best treatment options for the patient and how that may be achieved. She encourages participation toward better health on a time line that meets financial and ability constraints of the patient.”

Ms. Shafer is a member of Montana Dental Hygienist Association and served as its president for 1986-1987.

“When she served as MDHA President, she was able to maintain a wider view of dentistry, not just a hygienist perspective,” Dr. Langford said.

She is an active member of the Bozeman Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Heritage Society and Kiwanis Foundation of Montana Legacy Society. She has received Kiwanis International’s “George F. Hixson Award” and “George E. Snell Fellowship”. Ms. Shafer is a leader in Gallatin Cursillo/Journey and was its core group president from 2008 to 2011.

Ms. Alicia Leukuma , lead assistant for Dr. David

Keirn at Glacier Dental Group in Kalispell .

“She has made a significant positive impact in our community through her professional dental contributions,” said Dr. Keirn. “Our patients benefit daily from her skill and compassion, which has set the finest example for training assistants. She is very proficient and knowledgeable and has expanded the functions and duties of her profession within our practice.”

Ms. Leukuma is an active dental care leader and volunteer. She is the weekly coordinator for the Shepherd’s Hand free dental clinic, the Flathead Valley coordinator for the Sealants for Smiles! School sealants program, and helps coordinate dental care for Kalispell’s Project Homeless Connect.

“She is respected by all dental professionals in the Valley for her professional leadership and guidance in her many philanthropic endeavors,” notes Dr. Keirn .

“I feel privileged to work with her in our practice and on a volunteer basis,” Dr. Keirn said. “Our practice significantly benefits from her in influence and abilities, as does our community as a whole.”