Ozarks Profile: Ray McKowen, DDS

What is your job?

Ray McKowen is a dentist in general practice. His office is located at 1059 S. Glenstone. His practice is solo and includes endodontics (root canals); preventive dentistry; restorative dentistry, including fillings, crowns and bridges; prosthetics, including dentures and partials; and some extractions. He works with patients of all ages.

Please tell us about your company.

"I opened my practice in July 1977," McKowen said. "I moved to this area from Des Moines, Iowa. I used to vacation here with my father, and I chose the area for its lakes, rivers, hunting, fishing and the friendliness of the people." His philosophy, he said, is that, "The patient in the chair is the most important person at the time."

What prepared you for your current job?

McKowen did two years of undergraduate work at Grandview College in Illinois and then one undergraduate year at the University of Iowa. He then did four years of dental school at the University of Iowa School of Dentistry, graduating in 1977. He began his dental practice with Dr. James Sammons in the same Glenstone location as his present office. He practiced with Sammons for 16 years. When Sammons retired in 1993, McKowen established a solo practice. "I also served in navigation and signaling in the Coast Guard," he added. "That was during the Vietnam War, from 1966 till 1970, but I was stationed on the United States coast."

What's the best part of your job?

"I love the challenge and patient satisfaction," McKowen said. "I'm a people person, and I think just dealing with people on an individual basis I just love to greet people and help them, and that's absolutely 51 percent of my love of life." He added, "We also have a friendly atmosphere because our staff is more like family." He said, "I take pride in what I do and I enjoy going to work."

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

McKowen and wife Carol have four children: Heather, 26, who lives in Nebraska; Ray Christopher, 24, who is studying dentistry at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and will graduate in 2003 and plans to practice with his father; Katie, 19, who aspires to be a dental hygienist; and Brian, 16, who goes to high school and works at a local restaurant.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

"I love to hunt and fish and travel with family," McKowen said. "I also like gardening and woodworking. I also love any outdoor activity, like canoeing the North Fork River. I've also kept busy the past 15 years in scouting I was a scoutmaster for four years with Boy Scout Troop 210 and still work with them. My son Ray is an Eagle Scout and Brian is a Life Scout and hopefully will be Eagle. Our family are also long-term members of Immaculate Conception Church."