Dr. Sara Stuefen

Dr. Sara Stuefen is proud to have served our community for over a fifteen years. Focused on serving her patients, she continually works to strengthen her clinical skills and professional knowledge.

Mentoring future dentists is an also important part of Dr. Stuefen’s career. She serves as an American Dental Association (ADA) Success Speaker, lecturing to dental students across the country. Dr. Stuefen is District 10 Trustee on the ADA's Board of Trustees, the 24 member managing body of the Association, and serves as Chair of ADA Corporate Ventures. As an ADA spokesperson on dental insurance, she has been quoted in The New York Times and other national publications, sharing her expertise on issues affecting dentists and patients.

Dr. Stuefen is a 2022 graduate of the prestigious ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership. She serves on a national workgroup evaluating and developing quality measures for dentistry. Through her experiences she has been fortunate to become a published author, including in the Journal of the American Dental Association and has been interviewed for several podcasts.

Locally, Dr. Stuefen serves on the Board of Directors at Virginia Gay Hospital and is a member of the Vinton Lions Club. In her free time you may find her crafting, playing board games, or traveling.

Honors/Awards:

1. 2026

   Iowa Dental Association Distinguished Service Award

2. 2025

   University of Iowa College of Dentistry Alumni Association Rising Star Award

3. 2025

   Iowa Dental Association President's Award

4. 2023

   Fellowship in the American College of Dentists

5. 2023

   Fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy

6. 2022

   Iowa Dental Association Outstanding Service Award

7. 2017

   Fellowship in the International College of Dentists

8. 2015

   Iowa Dental Association New Dentist of the Year

9. 2010

   Dr. James Michael Leary Award

Notable past roles include:

1. 2021-2026

   Vice-Chair

   Iowa Dental Political Action Committee

2. 2022-2025

   Co-Chair

   Iowa Dental Association Legislative Committee

3. 2022-2024

   District 10 Representative

   ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs

1. 2023-2024

   Chair

   Dental Benefits Information Subcommittee

4. 2022-2024

   Trustee

   Iowa Dental Association

5. 2022-2024

   Member

   ADA ERISA Special Committee

6. 2021-2024

   Chair

   Iowa Dental Association Medicaid Committee

7. 2010-2024

   Associate Clinical Adjunct Professor

   University of Iowa College of Dentisry

8. 2022

   Chair

   ADA Tenth District Trustee Caucus

9. 2019-2022

   Deputy Regent

   International College of Dentists

10. 2017-2020

    New Dentist Member

    ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs

11. 2016-2020

    District 10 Representative

    ADA New Dentist Committee

    1. 2017-2018

       Chair

       Subcommittee on New Dentist Engagement

12. 2017-2018

    President

    Vinton Lions Club

13. 2017

    Chair

    Iowa Mission of Mercy Local Committee

14. 2016-2017

    New Dentist Liaison

    ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws, Judicial Affairs

15. 2016-2017

    President

    University District Dental Society

16. 2015-2017

    Chair

    IDA New Dentist Sub-Committee

Education:

1. 2010

   Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Iowa College of Dentistry