Dr Dr.Elizabeth Ward

Dr. Ward has been providing excellent dental care to our patients since 1987. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry before completing a hospital-based General Practice Residency with the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, in association with the Kansas University Medical Center. While covering all aspects of dental care, her residency focused on removable prosthodontics (dentures) and oral medicine (how dental health affects overall health). Dr. Ward was an Assistant Professor at the School of Dentistry for several years before devoting her time exclusively to her patients in private practice. A valued member of the dental community, Dr. Ward is an active member in many top dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association, Greater Kansas City Dental Society and the American College of Dentists. Dr. Ward was an art prodigy as a child and began painting in oils at age seven. Gradually her interests turned to medicine as she worked at her local hospital in the operating room and emergency department, from high school through college. Her experiences there gave her a life-long appreciation for patient care. After doing graduate work in genetics and microbiology, Dr. Ward worked for the State Health Department in Jefferson City before attending dental school. She was the only student in her class awarded The Pierre Fauchard Academy Undergraduate Certificate of Merit at graduation. During her residency, she served as the national editor for The American Student Dental Association, and afterward began a seventeen-year stint as the Editor-In-Chief of the Missouri Dental Association. Dr. Ward was also active at the national level, serving as the President of the American Association of Dental Editors and as the Chairperson of the American Dental Association's Council on Communications. For her efforts, she was named the Missouri Dentist of the Year from the Missouri Dental Association and received the American Dental Association's 2001 Distinguished Editor Award. Together with her husband, Dr. Hanneman, Dr. Ward donates needed dental services through the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program of the Dental Lifeline Network. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with Dr. Hanneman, their four children, two granddaughters, and their three mini Australian shepherds: Macintosh, Bindi, and Yoda.