What’s New in West Michigan: Local Society Updates

West Michigan Dental Foundation Kevin Knapp, DDS, MS West Michigan Dental Foundation President, Byron Center

The WMDF is dedicated to the improvement of oral health through the financial support of educational and service programs to address needs identified by the dental profession and the communities which it serves in West Michigan. Our fall meeting was held on October 5th via Zoom. Six new members were welcomed to the board: Drs. Alex Gould, Austin Goodyke, Cory Ball, Gary Scott, John McMahon, and Bradley Robinson.

Ms. Sue Rankin of the community grants committee reported on the 2020 grant requests; the board reviewed and approved all seven grant requests in the amount of $22,688. Dr. Mark Wierenga of the tuition grants committee reported that in 2020, 21 students were rewarded $26,000 in tuition grants.

Chairperson, Ada I can. Feel free to email me directly at The recent golf outing was a success (raising $30,600). The 2021 golf outing will be moved from its traditional May date to August 6, 2021. Grand River Bank pledged to

New Dentist Forum Daniel Grode, DDS, New Dentist Forum

We are continuing to navigate our new normal and are delaying our New Dentist Forum events. I wanted to welcome any newcomers to the area and am happy to help you transition to WMDDS in any way sponsor the golf outing main event for 2021 and 2022.

grodedan@gmail.com. More information about the New Dentist Forum can be found at https://wmdds.org/new-dentist-forum. Stay safe and healthy during this holiday season.

Kent County Oral Health Coalition Colette Smiley, DDS, Co-Chair of Kent County Oral Health Coalition, Grand Rapids

This year has been full of challenges none of us imagined. Through it all, our families, friends and co-workers, and area companies and organizations have shown strength and resilience, taking these challenges and meeting them head-on. To this end, the Kent County Oral Health Coalition wants to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the West Michigan dental community. The KCOHC recognizes the dedication and innovation that dental providers showed this year, and we are grateful. Thank you for your commitment to the oral health of our community.

The Kent County Oral Health Coalition works to improve oral health and access to care for Kent County’s most vulnerable community members—and we invite you to join us in our work! To learn more about KCOHC, email kcohc@healthnetwm.org or WMDDS member colettesmiley@gmail.com.