The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) staff loves when we come across incredible pediatric dentists who are not just competent, but caring, too! And that’s what we have in Beau Meyer, D.D.S., M.P.H.
He has served on the NFED’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) since 2018 and on the Patient Care Council since 2022.
We have another wonderful pediatric dentist to thank for connecting Dr. Meyer with the Foundation, Dr. Timothy J. Wright. Dr. Wright has worked with the NFED since the 1980s. Nearing retirement, he knew just the kind of pediatric dentist to bring on board.
Dr. Meyer is a board-certified pediatric dentist and associate professor with tenure at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He is active on medical staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and serves as an Associate Medical Director with Partners For Kids, a pediatric accountable care organization in Ohio.
His career goal is to improve the oral health trajectory of children, particularly those who have difficulty accessing dental care. Let’s learn a little more about Dr. Meyer in this month’s volunteer spotlight.
What can you tell us about your family and hobbies?
My wife, two kids, and I love being outside–playgrounds, parks, hikes, walks. When we’re not outside, we spend a lot of time making art and having dance parties. We love baking breads and treats on the weekends.
What inspired you to join the NFED’s Scientific Advisory Council?
A mentor, Dr. Tim Wright, invited me to tag along to a meeting in 2017 to learn more about the organization and the SAC. It was wonderful to meet everyone on the Council to learn about their roles and responsibilities, and I felt that my scientific skills were complementary to many of theirs. It was a great opportunity and time to get involved.
What do you love most about working with patients affected by ectodermal dysplasias?
The patients! They are fun, engaging, grateful, collaborative; all the things that make patient care enjoyable in general. Seeing that reaction when I hand them the mirror for the first time after reshaping or replacing missing teeth is priceless. It’s one of the few times that I feel like I am actually helping someone.
What has been the greatest challenge?
I spend a lot of time outside the actual visit trying to plan and figure out different or smoother or easier ways to do something. And when I finally get a result that I like, I want to be able to share that with wider audiences of clinicians who might be a little hesitant to take on unique patient situations because of their office workflows or materials on hand.
One of the things I get asked the most is helping find a dentist to treat the child. If I can find a dentist and communicate a straightforward workflow or process, that can demystify some that challenge dentists might face in delivering a treatment for a child with ectodermal dysplasia.
What is your favorite thing about working with the NFED?
In addition to serving on the Scientific Advisory Council, I help review cases submitted to the Treatment Assistance Program. That experience has been pretty valuable for me as a clinician and educator. I get to see what kinds of plans get presented in the ‘real world’ where access to specialists is different than in my academic medical center.
My favorite thing, though, is when Kelley, Becky, or Mary email me asking if I know a pediatric dentist in a particular town, state, or region. It’s a chance for me to use my network and play a small and indirect role in the child’s care. It’s such a thrill for me to hear from the clinicians and families when these connections lead to good outcomes.
What would you want to share with your dental colleagues about treating ectodermal dysplasias or volunteering for the NFED?
I frequently tell our residents this: we are smart, capable people who became dentists to help others. We can do hard things, where hard might just mean ‘different’ sometimes. When you see a patient with an ectodermal dysplasia, slow down, listen to the patient’s or family’s concerns, and think about different or creative ways you could address those concerns that are still rooted in the foundational clinical sciences we learned as students.
Thank you, Dr. Meyer, for your dedication and compassion for all children and especially for those affected by ectodermal dysplasias!
The NFED is always looking for volunteers to help us achieve our mission. Check out these volunteer opportunities.