It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the loss of Pankey legend and founding member, Dr. Bill Lockard. As one of the original Pankey faculty, we’d like to give tribute to his legacy and impact on dentistry, specifically the Pankey mission and what it has meant to decades of dentists since its inception.

Dr. Myers William Lockard, Jr., who went by “Bill,” meant many things to the Institute and to the people who knew and loved him. Born in Oklahoma City and a child during the Depression, he was pointed toward dentistry by a high school instructor who suggested the career path after learning Dr. Lockard was interested in music.

He met the love of his life, Sue, while attending Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. After an initial chance encounter, the two were set up on a blind date that signaled the start of a lifetime of romance and joy with their three children and now many grandchildren.

Dr. Lockard was a founding member of The Pankey Institute, serving as Associate Faculty, Advisory Faculty, and on the Board of Trustees. He developed Pankey’s first course for dental assistants and was an active part of the Pankey community for nearly 50 years. In 1984, he lectured in Japan, thereby creating a formative relationship with those dentists. After retiring from practice in 1991, he and Sue provided dental services to nursing homes for many years. As part of his commitment to dentistry, he authored a 2007 book titled, “The Exceptional Dental Practice: Why Good Enough is not Good Enough.”

There are no words that can truly describe the loss of a man who lived such an extraordinary life. He will be missed by the Pankey faculty and alumni who attended his study clubs and dental groups, benefited from his mentorship and advice, or met him during Pankey’s Annual Meeting or other dental meetings. Dr. Lockard was an excellent clinician, educator, and writer for the duration of his career. We have the utmost gratitude for his contribution to the history of dental education and innovation.

At the request of Bill’s children and in memory of his dedication to dental care, donations may be made to the William Lockard Development Fund at the Pankey Institute to further promote excellence in dental faculty. There are three ways to donate:
(1) Call 1-305-428-5500
(2) Mail check payments to: The Pankey Institute, 1 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
(3) Donate at online.pankey.org. Register for free and select the “Make a Donation” tab. Dr. Lockard’s Fund is listed on the next page.

When I was 19 years old, I started to work as a dental assistant and front office person. In 2003, after 9 years of temporary hygiene work and multiple associate positions, I opened my own dental practice. To obtain bank funding, I had to write a business plan and a vision statement. In 2001, I wrote the following vision statement for the practice I wanted to create. I often look at this statement and find that it still stands true and even more so as time goes on.

My Vision, circa 2001: To create an environment full of learning and growing, that is open and honest, in order to provide individual optimal care with compassion and mutual professional respect for each other and our clients.

Over my years in practice, I have increasingly realized that that a culture of collaboration in the practice is essential for providing the comprehensive quality care that I’ve learned at The Pankey Institute—the care I believe patients deserve to receive.

The Benefits of Team Collaboration

A healthy and positive office culture is not only important for patients, but also for the team, including the leader!

• Healthy Relationships: A culture that is inclusive, compassionate, empathetic, and safe creates healthy relationships that are supportive, understanding, and positive.
• More Appropriate Solutions: An environment that is based on abundance versus scarcity is one that allows an organization to build on all the strengths and positive aspects of every team member. In fact, it is my belief that all team members’ perspectives are valuable. Solutions are more creative and appropriate when there is input from all perspectives of the team. Diversity in thoughts and ideas provides a pathway toward implementation and outcomes that are sustainable, because collaborative agreements are better suited for everyone involved—the leader, team, and patients!
• Increased Trust, Individual Growth, Leadership, and Fun: The fruits of genuine collaboration are trust, appreciation, and ownership…and so much more! Genuine collaboration facilitates learning, growth, accountability, and individual leadership for all members of the practice team. Collaboration breeds shared responsibility, less isolation, and more fun!

Steps Towards the Creation of a Collaborative Team

1. Establish your WHY. The first step is to create a shared vision of your purpose. Why do you do what you do every day? What brings you joy?
2. Stay in Kindness. An office culture built on mutual respect and trust allows for more effective collaboration. Be humble and focus on the strengths of each team member. Stay centered in giving one another the benefit of the doubt. Others will reciprocate with kindness when you are kind and fair. I always think, Do the right thing and the rest will follow.
3. Share. Share your expectations of how you will achieve your shared purpose and vision. Be vulnerable by sharing your needs and desires for achieving the shared purpose and vision.
4. Formulate agreements. Come to shared agreements to help, support, and keep one another accountable in the process of collaboratively reaching your shared vision of your purpose.
5. Celebrate. An important, solidifying step is to enjoy the process of collaboration, celebrate your successes, and have fun along the way!

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Christine Shigaki, DDS is a private practicing dentist in Seattle, WA.
She can be reached at cshigaki@gmail.com