A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree, Dr. Nathan Suter also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis. Dr. Nathan Suter was the Oral Health Director and a practicing dentist at COMTREA Comprehensive Health Center, a federally-qualified health center (FQHC), in Festus, from 2013 to 2018. He was instrumental in starting the dental program at the fast-growing network of FQHC dental clinics in Jefferson County, MO. As oral health director he secured over $2.5 million dollars in private, state, and federal grants that he wrote. This funding allowed COMTREA to grow from no dental program to 2 fixed clinics, 3 school-based clinics, 3 portable teledentistry teams, and one mobile dental clinic. This includes a team of 60 individuals including 12 dentists, six hygienists, and over 24 dental assistants. In 2018, COMTREA saw over 9,500 unique patients totaling 22,780 patient visits.
Nathan has a strong commitment to oral health advocacy, he :
Nathan has a strong commitment to oral health advocacy, he :
- Was instrumental in two pieces of legislative advocacy efforts in the State of Missouri. He presented the concept of teledentistry to the Missouri Dental Board. He gathered the dental organizations to push the Missouri legislature to enact a statute that helped increase telehealth access.
- Has written multiple grants resulting in awards exceeding several million dollars. This funding encompassed grants from private institutions and both federal and state agencies.
- Dr. Suter joined the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health in 2014 and is currently serving as the Chair on its board of directors. In November of 2016, Dr. Suter received both the National Network for Oral Health Access Outstanding Clinician award and the American Dental Association Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award. Dr. Suter implemented the first teledentistry program in the state of Missouri, increasing access to dental care for over 1,200 patients in the first year of operation. Recently, awarded with Missouri Dentist of the Year for his contributions to teledentistry advocacy.