Farmington Dentist Receives Dr. Roger L. Parrott Award for Child Advocacy

Dr. Doug Ross, Farmington, and his “First Dental Visit Program,” were acknowledged with the first Dr. Roger L. Parrott Award for Child Advocacy, presented by the Missouri Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (MoAPD) at the 2007 Missouri Dental Association (MDA) House of Delegates.

This award was created by the MoAPD to recognize individuals who are in fields other than pediatric dentist who have devoted their time and efforts to promote children’s oral health advocacy. The award is named after Dr. Roger Parrott, an individual who upon graduation from dental school (Washington University 1953), dedicated his dental practice solely to pediatric dentistry, even though there was no specialty training at that time. He was “grandfathered” into the profession and was a pediatric dental pillar in the St. Louis community and held several leadership positions on the state level.

Dr. Ross’ First Dental Visit Program integrates his zeal for children’s dental health into his daily practice. The program acts on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that children should start visits to the dentist between 12 and 24 months of age to prevent the decay that can begin as soon as teeth erupt.

The First Dental Visit Program invites parents to introduce their children under the age of three to the dentist’s office for a free first visit that aims to “set the stage for a lifetime of excellent dental health,” according to a practice brochure. There are “no invasive procedures like X-rays or cleanings; it’s just a child’s chance to meet the staff, see what’s in the office, hear the equipment sounds and experience the customary smells found in a dental office.”

Dr. Ross personally meets with every toddler, taking pictures that will later be made into a collage to hang in the waiting room. Of the kids featured on the wall for their participation in the program, 70 percent return six months later to begin a normal schedule of examinations, cleanings, fluoride applications, sealants, and X-rays, for which regular charges apply.

Dr. Ross received his DDS in 1963 from Washington University School of Dentistry and has been in private practice since 1965; prior to this he was in the US Army Dental Corps, Paris, France, from 1963-65. He was a clinic instructor at Washington University, in both periodontics and pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Ross was awarded his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1973 and his Mastership in 1990. He served as president of the Missouri AGD from 1983-85.

Among various volunteer leadership roles, Dr. Ross is a past president of the Southeast Missouri Dental Society and has been treasurer of the Mineral Area Dental Study Club since its inception in 1970. He has also served as a delegate to the MDA House. Currently, Dr. Ross serves on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Dental Advisory Group.

Dr. Ross and his wife, Pamela, have five children and three grandchildren.