MOUNT VERNON — When Dr. Robert Ronk came to Mount Vernon, he had to start his orthodontics practice from scratch. Thirty-eight years later he is handing a full plate of clients to his successor.
Ronk announced his retirement — after what he calls “a long and rewarding career” — due in large part to his and his wife’s wish to spend more time with his two young grandchildren in North Carolina, and to travel to see their children in other parts of the country. They plan to continue to live in Mount Vernon, and Ronk plans to spend more time on his farm with his collection of antique John Deere tractors.
Dr. Timothy Wigal, D.D.S., M.S. will take over Ronk’s practice in the Medical Arts Building on Coshocton Avenue.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to provide quality orthodontic treatment to the citizens of our community,” Ronk said. “In some cases, I have treated three generations within a family.”
Ronk said he and Wigal are working together to ensure a smooth transition so that patients with ongoing orthodontic treatment will continue uninterrupted care without any delays. The transition should be complete by early June.
Orthodontists are specialists in the field of dentistry who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. They treat a wide variety of cases involving improperly aligned teeth or jaws in people of all ages. Orthodontists must complete at least two additional years of advanced training in orthodontics after dental school accreditation by the American Dental Association.
Ronk graduated from Ohio State College of Dentistry, then served two years in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps based at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla., during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he returned for three years of post-doctoral education at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Orthodontic Department. He opened his orthodontic practice in Mount Vernon in August 1970.
Ronk said that when he started his own practice, he basically had to sit by the phone and wait for would-be patients to call.
“It started out lean,” he said. “Fortunately, I’m from Fredericktown, and I knew some local dentists. So they helped me, being a local body.”
Describing changes in the field of orthodontics over the last 38 years, Ronk said orthodontics has become more prevalent and accepted in society, with more of an emphasis on cosmetics. People want healthy teeth but they want to look good, too. He said there is more emphasis on computerized technology in the field, which increases the speed, but he added that he thinks he could do just as good a job with the old equipment.
“I’ve seen a total personality change due to the improvement of a person’s smile,” Ronk said.
He said he has derived a great sense of satisfication from seeing his patients’ self-esteem and confidence improve. Ronk said patients are sometimes apprehensive when they come into the office, but in a short time, they understand the treatment involves little intrusiveness and little discomfort.
Ronk has been an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the local W.D. Miller Dental Association. He has given his time to many community organizations over the years, including the YMCA board of trustees, The Salvation Army board, the Kiwanis Club and the United Way. Ronk and his wife are members of the Gay Street United Methodist Church.
Ronk said Wigal is an outstanding and exceptionally qualified orthodontist. Wigal graduated with honors from West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 2001. He graduated from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 2005 at the top of his class and then spent three additional years acquiring his Master of Science degree and certificiate for Advanced Education in Orthodontics from the West Virginia Department of Orthodontics. He is an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontics.
“My goal is to create beautiful smiles that my patients can enjoy for a lifetime,” Wigal said in a written statement. “I look forward to the opportunity to provide quality orthodontic care to the citizens of Knox County and the surrounding areas, just like Dr. Ronk has done for so many years.”
