Oral Health Network of Missouri

Staff

Joseph E. Pierle, CEO
jpierle@mo-pca.org

As Chief Executive Officer, Joe leads the strategic planning and board development efforts of the OHNM. In addition to his CEO role at the Oral Health Network of Missouri, Joe also holds the Executive Director position with the Missouri Primary Care Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Community Health Centers, the MO Dept. of Health's Rural Advisory Committee, and the National Advisory Council to the National Health Service Corps. Joe is also a member of the National Rural Health Association, and is Chair of the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health Access.

Joe was previously the Chief Health Advisor for a US Senator.

Karen Dent, Director of the Oral Health Network

kdent@mailohnm.org

Karen Dent joined the Oral Health Network of Missouri as Program Coordinator in December 2003 and became the Network Director in December of 2006. Karen's responsibilities include development and coordination of the Oral Health Network of Missouri's education and outreach activities. Karen also collaborates with the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Network’s Clinical Committee, and other organizations to promote and fulfill the goals of the Oral Health Network.

Prior to accepting the position of Oral Health Network Program Coordinator, Karen was a dental assisting educator from 1984 until November, 2003. In addition, Karen co-authored Dental Aide training Modules for the University of Missouri Instructional Materials Laboratory and taught Expanded Function Dental Assistant Training from 1995 to 2003.

Kimberly Arnold, Executive Assistant

karnold@mo-pca.org

Kim Arnold is the Executive Assistant to the Oral Health Network of Missouri. She provides administrative support to the Network and serves on the Oral Health Network of Missouri/ Missouri Primary Care Association Annual Conference Planning Committee. Kim is also responsible for arranging and planning special events for the Oral Health Network and the Missouri Primary Care Association.

Consultants

Rick Gooch, DDS

Rick Gooch serves as the Dental Consultant for the Oral Health Network of Missouri. He completed his education at the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry in 1994. He worked for one year as a staff dentist for the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He helped create the dental program at Northeast Missouri Health Council in Kirksville, Missouri and served both as the dental director and staff dentist. From 1996 to present Dr. Gooch has been in private practice.