Two vie for ADA speaker

House of Delegates to vote Oct. 27

The ADA House of Delegates will elect a new speaker to replace outgoing Speaker Mark Donald, D.M.D., whose second three-year term will end at the House of Delegates in Washington, D.C., in October. 

Per ADA Bylaws, the speaker may hold the office for two consecutive three-year terms.Voting will take place Oct. 27. Each candidate’s curriculum vitae was provided to members of the ADA House of Delegates. Brief biographies of each candidate follow (in alphabetical order):

Ralph L. Howell, Jr., D.D.S.

Ralph L. Howell, Jr., D.D.S., is a general dentist in Suffolk, Virginia, and former president and speaker of the Virginia Dental Association. He also served as secretary/treasurer, vice president and president of the Tidewater Dental Association.

Dr. Howell’s additional experience includes serving on the ADA Council on Dental Practice, Council on Communications and secretary/treasurer, parliamentarian, vice chair and chair of the 16th District Caucus, among many other committees and groups. Dr. Howell is a 1989 graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia.

Debra Schmit Peters, D.D.S.

Debra Schmit Peters, D.D.S., a general dentist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a past speaker of the house and president of the Michigan Dental Association. She also served as president, vice president and secretary/treasurer of the West Michigan District Dental Society.

Dr. Peters’ additional experience includes serving as chair of the ADA Council on Membership and Council on Ethics, Bylaws & Judicial Affairs. Dr. Peters is a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and was an adjunct faculty member at the Kalamazoo Community College from 1994-96.