If you or a loved one required dental care, which professional would you choose? That's the question dsm posed to more than 250 Greater Des Moines dentists in our first survey to determine the area's top dental professionals.

The survey focused on five specialty areas: general dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Nearly one in four dentists responded; the response rate was nearly triple the nationwide norm for such surveys.

Why ask dentists instead of patients? Because peer review is typically considered the most valid methodology for this type of survey. The professionals featured on the following pages are recommended by those who are most qualified to judge-their peers.

For these reasons, we're confident that this list includes some of the area's best dentists. But we also recognize and acknowledge that the names of other top-notch professionals don't appear here. Though statistically valid, the survey is still subjective; it reflects the personal opinions of those who chose to participate.

If you're happy with your dentist, you shouldn't take this survey to mean that you should make a change. Our intent is only to introduce you to some of Central Iowa's finest dentists and provide information that could be used as a starting point if you're looking for a dental professional.

On the next three pages, meet the five outstanding professionals who were the top vote getters in their specialties. A list of dentists who accumulated a substantial number of votes can be found on page 43, along with an explanation of how the survey was conducted.-Christine Riccelli

General Dentistry

Robert Margeas, d.d.s.
The Iowa Dental Group

Why did you become a dentist? I was in the sciences as a major and a friend who was a dentist said, "You ought to come over to the dental school and see what dentistry is like." I thought it was interesting and applied and was admitted and became a dentist.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? In 2001, I merged my practice with my mentor, Dr. Paul Polydoran, and then we built a new facility and teaching center to train other dentists. That's when my practice really started to take off. Dr. Polydoran was my hero, my mentor, my teacher. He was an amazing individual, and I owe my success to him.

Your family? I grew up in Sioux City. I have two brothers and a sister and a mom; my dad passed away five or six years ago. I have a great girlfriend.

What is your personal motto? There's no secret to success. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.

What's your guilty pleasure? I have a sweet tooth. And being a dentist, I think that's kind of crazy. I like all sweets. I like cookies. But Jelly Bellies are my downfall.

What's your greatest fear? The only thing that can stop me is my health. I have a fear of waking up some day and not being healthy. Other than that, I have no fears. I have everything else I need.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy collecting and drinking wine, I enjoy very good food, and I love traveling. My favorite place in the United States is Chicago. I love New York and San Francisco, and overseas, I love Italy and the Amalfi Coast. I've been to Dublin, Hong Kong, Brazil, Italy, Germany. Traveling is my passion.

Endodontics

Ty Erickson, d.d.s.
Endodontics P.C.

Why did you decide to specialize in endodontics? In dental school, there was a man who was almost like a father to me, Dr. William Johnson. He is now the chair of the department of endodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He took me under his wing and steered me toward endodontics.

What do you love most about your job? The people. I'm a pretty outgoing fellow, and I kind of become friends with my patients. With endodontics, everyone who comes in has a toothache. If you take care of them, they love you forever.

What has been one of the more interesting moments in your career? I did a root canal on (professional golfer) Fuzzy Zoeller. Another dentist called me on a Saturday night to come in and do the root canal. Since then, Fuzzy's invited me all over the world.

What are your hobbies? I play golf. I like movies, I like to travel, and I love the St. Louis Cardinals.

What has been one of your most important life lessons? My father was an Air Force pilot and he died young when I was only 13. Losing someone at such a young age who was so important to me, it made me realize that we need to cherish...what we have. We're not here forever.

Oral Surgery

John Maletta, d.d.s.
Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons P.C.

Why did you become a dentist? I grew up in a small town without fluoridated water, and I had to see a dentist a lot in my teen years. I thought about medicine but didn't want to put up with life-and-death situations.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I really care about people and their perceptions, and sometimes I think they perceive me as being authoritarian, and that's not the case at all. I'm the senior partner, so sometimes I have to make difficult decisions. Sometimes...those decisions bother me more than they bother them.

Who are your favorite writers? I read a lot of mystery-type fiction, and I always have two to three books going at one time. I enjoy the escapism, but I also enjoy the way some people write, like Ian Rankin and Ian McGowan. I like offbeat stuff, and I read a wide variety of fiction.

What brings you joy? My family. We have a lake home, and that used to bring me great joy because that was (when) we could give the children undivided attention when they were growing up. And now, they like it there as well and we try to connect there once a year. That's what really gives me joy-having them all together.

Orthodontics

Michael Rovner, d.d.s.
Central Iowa Orthodontics

Why did you decide to become an orthodontist? When we were growing up, my brother and I were wrestling one evening and my gym sock got caught in his braces. He slept that night with my sock hanging out of his mouth, and I was charged with going to the orthodontist with him the next morning to explain what had happened. That planted the seed.

Who are your heroes? My mother raised my brother and me on meager means. On the other hand, we always had what we needed. To this day, my mother comes over to my house once a week and fills our refrigerator with food. She has always lived for her family, and I've used that as a model for my own.

If you were to choose a different career, what would it be? My wife and I took a 12-week citizen police academy course, and I think if I were reincarnated I'd be in law enforcement.

What brings you joy? I have professional joy when I see someone with their braces off with a beautiful new smile. I have joy every time I hear what's going on in my daughters' lives. And I look forward to the Hawkeye football season. I've always thought that when I die and go to heaven, it's going to be like Iowa City on a Saturday morning.

Pediatric Dentistry

Vincent Mancuso, d.d.s.
Pediatric Dentistry

Why did you become a dentist? It's been an interest of mine ever since boyhood. I always had hobbies that entailed some form of dexterity, whether it was model building or painting. I thought dentistry would utilize that skill.

What is your personal motto? There is a saying from Walt Disney that we talk about in our office: "Do what you do so well that it makes people talk about you."

What are your interests besides dentistry? I like the (dramatic) arts, and I was in drama for the four years I was in college.

What's your guilty pleasure? I love to sit down with my grandson and dunk doughnuts together. He and I can polish off a dozen doughnuts in no time.

Who is your greatest hero? My dad. He fled from the fascist army of Benito Mussolini in Italy when he was 18 and came to the United States with no language skills, no personal skills. He got a master's degree in education and taught and administrated in the school system for 30 years. He taught me that with hard work you can do almost anything.

Top Dentists

Here are the top dentists, by specialty, as voted by their peers. The dentist who received the most votes is listed first; the others are listed in alphabetical order. The dentists are listed with the practice they were associated with when the survey was take n.

Endodontics

Specializes in treating diseases of and injuries to the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of the tooth (root canals are a common procedure).

Ty Erickson, D.D.S. - Endodontics P.C.

Keith Krell, D.D.S. - Endodontics P.C.

Jeffrey Lilly, D.D.S. - Endodontics P.C.

General Dentistry

Provides general dental services to patients of all ages; focuses on diagnosing, treating and managing patients' oral hygiene and tooth care.

Robert Margeas, D.D.S. - The Iowa Dental Group

Jeffrey Aagaard, D.D.S. - Gateway Dental Group

Stephen Burds, D.D.S. - Gateway Dental Group

Stephen Forrest, D.D.S. - Berkshire Dental

Donna Grant, D.D.S. - Norwalk Family Dentistry

Chadwick Johnson, D.D.S. - Oral Health Clinic P.C.

John Kearns, D.D.S. - Fleur Dentistry

David King, D.D.S. - Dental Associates P.C.

Gregory McCullough, D.D.S. - Ankeny Dental Associates

Robert McNurlen, D.D.S. - Douglas Dental P.C.

William Pearce Jr., D.D.S. - Douglas Dental P.C.

Dwight Rastetter, D.D.S. - Douglas Dental P.C.

Chadwin Wagener, D.D.S. - Ankeny Aesthetic Dentistry

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Specializes in diagnosing and treating defects, injuries, deformities, diseases and aesthetic aspects of the jaws and face.

John Maletta, D.D.S. -  Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons P.C.

Scott Johnson, D.D.S. - Oral Surgeons P.C.

Steven Reynolds, D.D.S. - Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons P.C.

Jeffery Schwarzkopf, D.D.S. - Oral Surgeons P.C.

Orthodontiics

Specializes in treating misaligned teeth, typically with braces, retainers and related items.

Michael Rovner, D.D.S. -  Central Iowa Orthodontics

Melissa Bernhardt, D.D.S. -  Bernhardt & Smith Orthodontics

Michael Hipp, D.D.S. - Collins & Hipp P.C.

Blair Smith, D.D.S. - Bernhardt & Smith Orthodontics

Jeffrey Sturdivant, D.D.S. - Kommer & Sturdivant P.C.

Pediatric Dentistry

Specializes in treating children, from infants through adolescence.

Vincent Mancuso, D.D.S. - Pediatric Dentistry

Joseph Barsetti, D.D.S. -  Pediatric Dentistry

Matthew Kubovich, D.D.S. - Des Moines Pediatric Dental Center

Robert Wade, D.D.S. - Children's Dental Center of Central Iowa PLC

Methodology: Frequently Asked Questions

How was the survey conducted?

The Top Dentists Survey was conducted by polling actively practicing dentists in Greater Des Moines. The dentists were asked:

If you or a loved one required dental care, which professional would you choose?

A ballot was mailed to the business addresses of 254 dentists. The ballot listed dentists in five specialties: general dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. The dentists were asked to vote for one person in each of as many categories in which they felt they had sufficient knowledge to make a fair selection.

The ballots were returned to Business Publications LLC, dsm's parent company, for tabulation. The number of responses was statistically significant , and the response rate was nearly triple the nationwide norm for similar surveys.

Why weren't other dental specialties included?

Other specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, such as  periodontics, prosthodontics and dental public health, weren't included because so few professionals practice these specialties in Greater Des Moines.

How were the top dentists chosen?

The dentists were selected solely by a vote by their peers. Peer review is considered the most reliable methodology for this type of survey. The top vote getters in each specialty are profiled in this issue of dsm. Other dentists who accumulated a substantial number of votes in each specialty are listed in alphabetical order on this page.

Where did the list of dentists come from?

The list of dentists polled, and their specialties, was compiled by the Office of Statewide Clinical Education Programs (OSCEP) at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. It was derived from OSCEP's continuous inventory of 1,460 dentists actively practicing in Iowa. That roster is updated daily and re-verified every six months with a personal call to each dentist or a representative of his or her office.

Did the dentists have to buy advertising to be included on the list?