Tom Ison, DMD

Dr. Thomas Ison is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American College of Dentists.

 

Dr. Ison grew up in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, a town approximately the same size as Newburgh. He graduated from Fleming County High School where he played basketball and golf, and also participated in theater. He attended Morehead State University for his undergraduate program, and moved on to the University of Kentucky for dental school where he obtained a Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree. He returned to his hometown to practice general dentistry for a while before returning to UK for his pediatrics residency. He completed his specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. Dr. Ison then completed a United Cerebral Palsy Fellowship in pediatric dentistry at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis.

 

After completing his fellowship, Dr. Ison moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he served as the Chief of Dentistry at Kosair Children’s Hospital (now Norton Children’s Hospital.) While there he provided dental care for children in the hospital as well as running a full time dental clinic. After leaving the hospital program, Dr. Ison provided primary dental care in a pediatric  private practice in Louisville for over 15 years. With his extensive background in hospital care, Dr. Ison is an expert on care for the medically fragile child, and is comfortable working with these special patients.

 

Dr. Ison has held faculty appointments at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and Indiana University School of Dentistry. He has lectured on early childhood caries, dental trauma, dental care for the pediatric cancer patient, and pediatric sedation.

 

In addition to his clinical background, Dr. Ison has held leadership roles in numerous dental professional organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels. He has been President of both the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the Kentucky Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as trustee for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He holds membership in the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Indiana Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Ison served as parliamentarian of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry during the 2021-22 term. This is considered quite an honor, as it is by personal request of the president of the academy and must be approved by the board of directors. He is currently serving as the president of the AAPD, with his term ending in May of 2026. This path includes serving first as secretary, then treasurer, vice president, president elect, and finally president of the national organization, with an active immediate past president year as well. His AAPD activities have allowed him to meet and collaborate with pediatric dentists all over the country, as well as internationally.

 

Dr. Ison has been married to his wife Connie since 1996. They have one daughter who is a recent graduate of Indiana University. Dr. Ison loves to watch sports of any kind and has learned to love the marching band world, thanks to his daughter. He enjoys playing golf and traveling. The Ison family loves Disney World and visits as often as they can.