Denver — Dr. Gary L. Roberts, of Shreveport, Louisiana, took office on October 24, 2016 as the 153rd president of the American Dental Association.

Dr. Roberts and the new and returning ADA officers and trustees were installed in their offices during proceedings of the House of Delegates, gathered this week at the ADA’s 157th annual meeting in Denver.

“I’m going to continue looking ahead to meet the changing needs of today’s dental profession,” Dr. Roberts said during his address to the House of Delegates. “This is your association and it’s mine. It represents new dentists, career dentists and retired dentists.

My commitment to you this year is to do my very best to help each and every one of our 159,000 members succeed and to stand with them through thick and thin. Thank you once again for allowing me to serve you, now let’s go to work.” 

In addition, five new trustees also were declared elected in the House: Drs. William Roy Thompson, 6th District; Billie Sue Kyger, 7th District; Kenneth McDougall, 10th District; Kirk M. Norbo, 16th District; and Cesar R. Sabates, 17th District.

Before being chosen president-elect in 2015, Dr. Roberts, an ADA member for more than 40 years, was trustee of the ADA’s 12th District. He is a past member of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, Council on Government Affairs and was chair of the Committee on Budget and Finance. He served as a trustee liaison to the Council on Dental Practice, Council on Annual Sessions and the Council on Dental Education and Licensure.

He is also a past president of the Louisiana Dental Association. Dr. Roberts is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and Ark-La-Tex Academy of Dentistry. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He earned his dental degree from the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry.

Watch for a full report on Dr. Roberts’ House address on ADA.org and in the ADA News.