Background

The current editor, Dr. Doug Wyckoff, has announced to the Board of Trustees his official resignation effective at the close of the House of Delegates in June 2027. Dr. Wyckoff has been editor since January 2018 and is stepping down to give full attention to his upcoming position as 6th District Trustee to the ADA, which commences at the close of the ADA House of Delegates in October 2028.  

Application/Selection Process

Any active MDA member desiring to be considered for editor shall submit a formal request letter to the MDA Executive Office by January 8, 2027. The Board of Trustees will review submissions at its January 29, 2027 meeting, with interviews to follow and official selection to take place at its April 30, 2027 meeting. The new Editor will be announced with other new Board members at the MDA House of Delegates Meeting, June 26, 2027. 

• Candidate submission must include current curriculum vitae and two 500-word sample editorials on current issues/events in the dental profession OR two 500-word previously published articles that demonstrate the candidate’s writing ability.
• If candidate’s application is accepted, the candidate will be asked a set of interview questions to be completed through Zoom.
• After a formal review process of all candidate applications, the chosen candidate will be notified of selection.

Responsibilities

The Editor’s primary duty is to write an editorial for the Focus magazine for each of the four issues published annually (Spring/March, Summer/June, Fall/September, Winter/December), and to serve as an advisor to the Managing Editor. The Editor also serves as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the MDA Board of Trustees and MDA House of Delegates. As such, the Editor is expected to attend all Board of Trustees meetings (and other Board-related events) and the MDA House of Delegates.

• See full Editor Definition, Duties, Term and Job Description.
• Contact Melissa Albertson or Dr. Doug Wyckoff for questions.