July 2025 – Arkansas State Dental Association

Obituary: Dr. Marvin D. Loyd, Past ASDA President and ADA Member for 50 Years

Billy Tarpley on July 17, 2025

Dr. Marvin Dale Loyd of Lake Village, Arkansas died July 14, 2025, at age 92, after having lived a full and generous life of service. He was predeceased by his wife of almost 72 years, Marilynn Nisler Loyd. He was born on December 3, 1932, in Little Rock, Arkansas and predeceased by parents Dale Claude and Frances Elizabeth Pearson Loyd, sister Jane Loyd Chesshir, and brother William Pearson Loyd.

Marvin graduated from McGehee, Arkansas High School in 1950, Hendrix College in 1953, and University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, DDS, in 1956. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve (1955-1961), including active duty in the U.S. Navy (1956 – 1958). He continued his military service with the Arkansas Army National Guard (1961-1979), commanding two medical units, followed by service in the U.S. Army Reserve until his retirement as a Colonel in 1993. A graduate of the Army War College, he held senior roles in military dental services, including with the Office of the Surgeon General.

Marilynn and Marvin moved to Lake Village, Arkansas in 1958, and became deeply involved in the community and Methodist church. He served and received recognition from Lakeside United Methodist Church, the Little Rock Annual Conference, Perkins School of Theology-SMU, World Methodist Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, UM General Boad of Global Ministries, UMC Hospitals Revitalization Program Core Group, and others.

While Marvin was in private practice of general dentistry for 50 years and active in numerous professional dental organizations throughout his career, including the Arkansas State Dental Association having served as state President in 1979-80. He became involved in mission work in Haiti, serving with Hospital de Bienfaisance de Pignon, where he was honored with a Hall of Honor induction and a Distinguished Service Award. He also held leadership roles with Christian Mission of Pignon, Inc. from 1996 until the time of his passing. After closing his private practice, he provided dental care for the Arkansas Department of Corrections for nine years. Besides his private practice and mission involvement, Marvin’s business affiliations included AQ Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Enterprises, Inc., First State Bank of Lake Village, and Bank of Lake Village.

Marvin was a long-standing member of Island 82 Hunting Club. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family, sharing his love of the outdoors and a family tradition of hunting. He is survived by son Gregory Marvin Loyd (Marta) of Mount Ida, Arkansas, daughter Nancy Loyd Rieves (Ralph Summerford) of Birmingham, Alabama, grandchildren Grace Rieves Humber (David) of Birmingham, Alabama, Susan Loyd McDonald (Jason) of Little Rock, Loyd Nisler Rieves (Deeann) of Nashville, Tennessee, Scott Martin Loyd (Krista) of Tulsa, and Bryan Gregory Loyd (Taryn) of Tontitown, Arkansas.

Marvin had ten great-grandchildren-Hammond Humber; Annie, Meredith and Ellis McDonald; Larkin and Harper Rieves; Harrison and Hank Loyd; and Amelia and Charlie Loyd.

The family wishes to thank his loyal and loving caregivers Cheryl Davies, Guillermina Mondragon, Fay Aaseth, Dorothy Tyler, Sharon James, and Sammie Green. They became his friends as much as caretakers. Also, a special thanks to Dr. Jack Burge and Marshall Sexton for their friendship and genuine concern.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeside United Methodist Church followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Lakeside United Methodist Church, 324 S. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Village, Arkansas 71653 or to your favorite charity.

CBS Evening News Focuses on Arkansas Fluoridation Issues

Billy Tarpley on July 15, 2025

“Eye on America” Segment Features ASDA President Dr. Kenton Ross

July 15, 2025 – CBS Evening News is scheduled to present a feature on Arkansas’ anti-fluoridation issues at 5:30 tonight. The network’s “Eye on America” segment will feature Dr. Kenton Ross talking about the recent legislation in Arkansas that would have overturned the state’s mandate that all water systems serving more than 5,000 customers provide fluoridation to therapeutic levels.

The ADA recently tracked multiple anti-fluoridation bills in 16 states, including Arkansas where at least 5 bills were defeated in the recent 95th General Assembly. Nearby in Oklahoma, however, the governor issued an executive order essentially stopping any state promotion of water fluoridation. Recent efforts by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. have led leaders in multiple states, including Utah and Florida, to review the use of fluoridation and its impact on health. ASDA will continue to monitor community water fluoridation (CWF) issues in Arkansas

Oklahoma Dental Association Challenges Push to Overturn Community Water Fluoridation

Billy Tarpley on July 8, 2025

Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle, July 8, 2025:

Following Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s ‘Make Oklahoma Healthy Again’ initiative, many public health experts are weighing in on the importance of community water fluoridation.

Through the initiative, Gov. Stitt is directing the Oklahoma State Department of Health to stop recommending fluoride in public water systems, a move dentists are speaking out against. Tamara Berg, D.D.S., vice president of the American Dental Association and past president of the Oklahoma Dental Association, said removing fluoride from the water will result in more cavities, especially in rural and low-income populations.

“We don’t have the workforce to handle all the cavities that are there and by removing water fluoridation, we’re just going to see an increase and that’s going to make our dentists busier and make people suffer more and miss more days of school and out of work,” Dr. Berg said in an interview with News 4.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said in a statement that while the decision to participate in water fluoridation in the state has always been made locally, it recognizes “there are evolving concerns about what constitutes a safe level while providing dental health benefits.” The ADA said it continues to support community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay.