Michael Rader, D.D.S.
South Bend , IN
ADA member for twenty-nine years

How many years have you been an ADA member?
29

Briefly describe your practice.
General dentistry practiced at a comfortable pace.

What generation dentist are you?
First

What's the most-often asked question from your patients?
Will my insurance pay for this?

What is the most interesting thing that has happened or you’ve done as a dental professional?
Spent two weeks in Guatemala on Dental Mission.

Why did you choose dentistry as a profession?
I admired my dentist (Dr. Roger Huff) who encouraged me to consider dentistry as a career.

What's the most difficult challenge you've faced in your practice?
Trying to be a business manager as well as a health care provider.

Name one unique thing on a wall in your clinic or displayed in your waiting room.
"Floss like a champion today" sign

What is/was the most challenging aspect of dental school?
Trying to keep up with the academic assignments and learn how to do lab work and treat patients.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a dentist?
Teacher

Name/describe your favorite CE course taken in the past two years.
I've attended several Pankey courses and have found their programs to be truly outstanding.

What do you do to relax?
Read.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done in your lifetime?
Jumped out of a perfectly good airplane with only a parachute.

What are you most proud of?
I've recommitted to being a constant learner by attending CE courses and reading.

What is the last book you've read or are currently reading?
Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion by Jeffrey Okeson, D.M.D.

How do you deal with stress?
I'm fortunate to have friends, both dentists and non-dentists, who are are good sounding boards for my stress.

Where is your favorite vacation spot or activity?
I retreat to a cottage where I sail, fish or just read a good book.

What are your hobbies?
Reading, sailing, training my labrador retriever

Who is your favorite singer or musical group?
Beatles. Now you know how old I am.

What do you do for exercise?
I walk infrequently and not any great distance.

Name one thing you have in your home from your childhood.
Book stand I made for 4-H while in Junior High

Name the last movie you saw.
I am Legend

Name your favorite movie.
The Godfather

Whom do you admire?
Dr. Chuck Hassel had been a wonderful mentor and role model.

Who has most influenced your life?
My parents. They were unable to go to college but always stressed the importance of education.

What's your favorite Web search engine?
Yahoo

What concerns you about the future?
Dentists today don't seem to have the same interest or commitment to organized dentistry as they did years ago.

Any words of advice?
Ancora Imparo-Michelangelo (Still, I am Learning)

Anything else you’d like to mention?
Dentistry will remain a wonderful profession only if we all work to maintain the high standards that we inherited from our predecessors.

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Disclaimer: The ADA Member Profile is not a referral service and does not constitute an endorsement by the American Dental Association. The information contained in the profiles has been supplied by the individual being profiled and has not been verified except for membership status.

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