Dr. Krista Jones, ODA Saddoris Award Winner

TAKE ACTION: Stop the Healthcare Holdup

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JAMES A. SADDORIS LIFETIME OF LEADERSHIP AWARD

Dr. Krista Jones is known for her tenacity, enthusiasm and bottomless wealth of energy when it comes to promoting oral health and advocating for the dental profession. With a simple flip through the Oklahoma Dental Association archives, it is clear that she has improved every program with which she has been involved. In fact, it is a challenge to find an ODA award she has not won, or council she has not joined. Because of her involvement in the ODA, dentistry in Oklahoma has been changed for the better. The most prestigious award given by the ODA was created to honor a member who, through a lifetime of service, exemplified the spirit, devotion and commitment of its namesake, James A. Saddoris. This year, the members of the Oklahoma Dental Association honor Dr. Krista Jones for being the highest example of those same characteristics. Since graduating from the OU College of Dentistry in 1981, (after attending undergrad at the University in Oklahoma- where her energy was appropriately utilized in cheerleading) Jones has left no stone unturned. While running a practice in Edmond, OK, Jones has worked steadily to ensure progression, security, and innovation in the dental profession. She has faithfully served the ODA House of Delegates since 1982 as an Oklahoma County delegate and as Speaker from 20102016. She has served the ODA in every office including president in 2007-2008. She chaired the Sub-Council on Mediation Review from 1999-2005, during which time she was instrumental in the development of the mediation review manual and the mediator training program still used today. She continues to advocate and educate students on the ethics in the practice and avoidance of patient conflict.

Her passion for parliamentary procedure led her to the Council on Bylaws, Policy and Ethics three different terms since 1986, and she has been chair of the council since 2018. Under her direction, the council developed the guide for disciplinary hearings. Jones served on the Oklahoma Delegation to the American Dental Association House of Delegates for eleven years and represented the ADA 12th District on several councils and committees including the Council on Communications from 2010-2013. She was the recipient of the ODA’s Thomas Jefferson Citizenship award in 1989, the Dan E. Brannin award in 2009, the President’s Leadership award in 2011, as well as both the Richard T. Oliver award and the Distinguished Dentist Service award in 2012. She currently serves on the DENPAC Board of Directors and represents District 5 on the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. Jones is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the International College of Dentists. This year, the ODA honors her with our deepest gratitude and our highest accolade. Dr. Jones exemplifies the highest level of ethics, professionalism and truest devotion to the dental profession to which every dentist strives. The Oklahoma Dental Association is honored to have been led by a woman with such integrity, passion, initiative and vision. Dr. Krista Jones is now retired and living in Edmond with her husband, Craig Stinson, a United Methodist minister. Together, they are active in the community and continue a legacy of improving the lives of those around them.