It is always our goal at Rodney K. Rhodes, D.D.S., M.S., LLC to offer our patients the very best orthodontic care in Farmington, MO and the surrounding communities. We take pride in staying up-to-date with all modern orthodontic advancements, as well as continually working to further our education. Offering patients the most modern and effective solutions to their orthodontic needs is our goal.

We are proud to offer several different treatments and technologies for you to achieve a straight, flawless smile in a way that works for you. We will go over all of your options in order to help you make the best decision for you and your desired results. We also know how scary and anxiety-provoking it can be to have dental work done. Since most patients are uneasy about visiting, our staff makes sure to provide every patient with a kind and caring attitude. We are here to discuss any of your concerns, and we do our best to tailor every treatment to your needs, wants, and desired outcome.

No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, however board certification is a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), an individual orthodontist is thoroughly tested by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment. The most fair, reliable and valid testing methodology is utilized to test clinical proficiency in an objective manner. The ABO certification process signifies a unique achievementa significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics.

One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The boards purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.

Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontists personal commitment to excellence in orthodontics to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It exemplifies a practitioners commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.

Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of orthodontics and dental facial orthopedics which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful completion of this board examination allows the orthodontist to proceed to the Scenario-based Oral Clinical Examination where they are objectively evaluated on their knowledge, abilities and critical thinking skills based on proficiency and clinical excellence in four core performance areas/domains. Both examinations take significant preparation and time. After successful completion of these examinations, the orthodontist has officially achieved Board Certification, for a limited time period. The orthodontist must go through Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.

Dr. Rod Rhodes is a native of Farmington, Missouri. His father, Dr. Jerry Rhodes, was a general dentist in Farmington for 34 of his 43 years of practice. His grandfather, Dr. Carl Rhodes, was a general dentist in Puxico, Missouri from 1917 until 1947. With that history, the Rhodes family has been providing dental care in southeast Missouri for over 100 years (you might say that their roots run deep in the local dental community). Rod was salutatorian of the Farmington High School Class of 1975, and was voted by the faculty as the first Knight of the Year. He attended Central Methodist University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1979. He received the Selecman Award (the most prestigious award given to a graduating senior) and the Scholastic-Athlete Award.

After working a few years with Southwestern Bell and AT&T and earning an MBA degree at the University of Oklahoma, Rod began dental school in 1984. Dr. Rhodes graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 1988, and was selected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary dental society. He also received the American Association of Orthodontists Award for Exceptional Interest in the Development of the Oro-Facial Complex. Dr. Rhodes was accepted to several orthodontic programs, and elected to stay at the University of Oklahoma for 26 months of specialized orthodontic training. He graduated with a Master of Science degree in 1990, and returned home to Farmington to open his orthodontic practice. He completed his board certification exams as soon as he was eligible, and has been providing board-quality orthodontic care for over three decades.

Rods wife, Katie (Chastain) Rhodes, is also a Farmington native. Her father, Dr. Bill Chastain, was a family physician in the Farmington area for over four decades, so her family has also been very involved in local health care. Katie graduated from Farmington High School and earned an accounting degree from William Woods College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She later taught and earned a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Oklahoma. Katie passed the entire CPA exam on her first attempt, and has worked at national and regional CPA firms in various capacities. She is currently a partner with Thurman Shinn & Company, a local CPA firm. Katie does all of the financial reporting and payroll work for the orthodontic practice, and provides years of financial and business knowledge to help professionally manage the office.

Dr. Rhodes and Katie have been very involved with civic activities in the Farmington area. Dr. Rhodes has served on the Farmington Board of Education, and the Central Methodist University Board of Trustees. He was also co-chairman of the group of citizens that helped organize the effort to build the Farmington Community Civic center. Rod coached youth sports for years, and was a long-time member of his church choir. Katie has been President of the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce, and has been the Chairman of the Parkland Health Center Board of Directors for several years. She has also been active as a church youth group leader, and served as President of the Young Peoples Performing Arts Theatre. They both enjoy golfing, skiing, walking, and reading. (Scroll down to continue reading)

It is impossible for Dr. Rhodes to not talk about his kids. He and Katie have three grown children, who all graduated from Farmington High School and then Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. They all have graduate degrees in their respective fields of interest. Matt and his wife Maggie are both biologists and live in Lander, Wyoming. Ashley is a psychologist in Kansas City, Missouri, and Alex is a physical therapist in Durham, North Carolina. The logo on our office sign and correspondence letterhead is a silhouette of our three kids when they were ages 7, 5, and 3. As of this point in time, they have not asked for payment for the use of their likenesses.

Margie has been cheerfully welcoming patients to our office since 1991. She graduated from Farmington High School and the Dental Assisting Program at Mineral Area College. Margie wears many hats, functioning as a receptionist, treatment coordinator, insurance department, and orthodontic assistant. She and her husband Mike have two adult children, and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, church activities, camping and reading. She also likes to attend theatre performances, and she looks forward to her annual girls trips where they explore new beaches every year.

Kim was a former patient, and we recruited her to our team in 2003. She graduated from North County High School and earned as Associates Degree in Business from Mineral Area College. Kim also has many responsibilities, including taking our orthodontic records, doing lab work such as making retainers and trimming orthodontic models, and chair-side assisting. She and her husband Blake have a boy and a girl, and she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her kids play sports and attending her daughters dance performances. She also likes shopping and planning fun family vacations.

Dr. Rhodes would like to note that Margie and Kim are excellent team members, and he feels lucky and blessed to work with them. They are cross-trained and can both handle any skill that is required at the office, and they do so in a very friendly, professional, and efficient manner. Dr. Rhodes could not structure his practice as he has done without the exceptional commitment demonstrated every day by Margie and Kim. Their excellent patient care and teamwork will be obvious when you spend some time in our office.