Dr. Kirk Opdahl was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. His wife, Jill, is from the Decorah, Iowa area. He has 3 kids, a son Myles, and 2 daughters Jayme and Taylor. Dr. Opdahl attended the University of Northern Iowa and received his BA in Science. He went on to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry from 1990-1994, and received his doctorate degree. He graduated on the Deans list with honors.

He also graduated the very top of his class in clinical scores, and has continued his efforts in his dental career, becoming the youngest dentist to achieve his Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 2001. He is a member of the ADA, AACD, AGD, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Dr. Opdahl has gone through the Advanced Dental Pankey Institute, has taken many advanced courses through the Spears Institute for Advanced Education, John Kois Creating Restorative Excellence, and Pete Dawson classes. Striving for excellence is his desire and direction. Dr. Opdahl went through Implant training starting in 2005 and has taken many training sessions including Advanced Bone grafting and surgery through the Garg Implant Seminars Institute in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Opdahl is active in the local dental associations. He has served on the board of directors for 2 terms, and currently as a delegate for a second term for the Greater KC Dental Association. Dr. Opdahl is also currently serving on the MDA Foundation board. He has given several lectures to local dental groups, and been a mentor for many. Dr. Opdahl has helped organize and direct different missions around Kansas City and around the state of Missouri such as MOMOM. Dr. Opdahl is very active with his wife and 3 kids enjoying time together fishing, running, boating, and hunting. He is active within his church serving as Chair of the parish board and serving on the Lake Use committee for Lakewood.

Dr. Bowen is a native of the Independence area and attended the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors. He was accepted for membership to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 2007. In 2018, Dr. Bowen was inducted by his peers as a Fellow in The American College of Dentists. The mission of the College is to advance excellence, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry. He has received advanced training at the Dawson Academy in restorative dentistry and treating T.M.J. (Bite Disorders). He and his wife Christine have been married for 15 years and have two sons (12 and 9) and a daughter (8). The Bowen family loves to recharge by swimming and playing at the park.

Beyond the realm of teeth, Bowen coaches his sons in Pop Warner Football, serves as a high school football referee and has officiated multiple state championship games at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. He says, I love teaching the kids about teamwork through sports and how to handle adversity and hard work.

Bowen has also served in the dental community as well. Currently, he serves on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Dental Association. He is Past President of the Greater Kansas City Dental Board and has served the state of Missouri Association as well as a House of Delegates member for 7 years. He said, It is so important to the community that we have rules and procedures in place to protect the public.

Dr Bowen and his team believe that they are here to help people and make a positive impact in the lives of others. They are quick to point out that they care for people, not just teeth. Because many people harbor real fear and anxieties about going to the dentist, and these fears strand them from getting the care they need, the Dental Arts motto is, We cater to cowards. Music, blankets, back massagers, headphones, movies, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and oral conscious sedation are available to help make clients visits as enjoyable as possible. The most important thing is helping clients achieve a healthy mouth without fear.

Bowen says, Our smiles are an extension of who we are. Its so rewarding when a patient hugs you, cries with you and is so thankful you helped change their lives by giving them the smile they always wanted.

Dr. James Elias is a native of the Independence area. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry in 1979. He became accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 1989 and was accepted for membership to the American Society of Dental Aesthetics (based in New York) in 1989.

Dr. Ashley Deacy has been around the Dental Arts family for many years. Starting back in her undergraduate days, Dr. Deacy job shadowed Dr. James Elias and Dr. Kirk Opdahl before attending dental school. Dr. Elias has been her mentor since 2015 when they developed a strong relationship while on a Holy Land tour to Israel. Dr. Elias helped set Dr. Deacy up for success on her first solo mission trip to Haiti, by explaining how he assembled the clinic in Africa. Dr. Deacy then convinced Dr. Elias to join her the next year to treat the people of Haiti. They were a great team and were able to treat over 200 people in just 4 days.

Dr. Ashley Deacy was born and raised in Independence, Missouri. Dr. Deacy married her high school sweetheart, Luke, in March of 2017. They enjoy spending time with family and friends and are heavily involved with their church. Dr. Deacy loves being outdoors, running, biking, traveling, reading, and making quilts. She attended Truman State University where she received her BS in Health Science with a minor in Biology. She continued her education in Kirksville and St. Louis, where she received her doctorate degree from A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in 2018.