Member of the Month
Dr. Burds and Dr. Lawson
Why we want to be members of the Chinese Association of Iowa
"We learned that there was a large group of Chinese people who were leaders in the Des Moines community who did not know a dentist and needed care. We became acquainted with Ying Sa and her husband Steve Hu, who suggested that we meet the Chinese community. We felt very welcome in the community and willing to help unmet oral health needs. We have also found our practice to be very accessible to the many Chinese Association members who work downtown."
Dr. Burds’ Professional Bio
Dr. Stephen Burds began practicing dentistry in 2001 in Des Moines. He took over the practice of Dr. William Kingfield on Center Street in 2005. Dr. Burds moved his practice to its current location at 1540 High Street in 2007 and soon Dr. Jessica Lawson joined him, forming Gateway Dental Group.
Dr. Burds was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa. He attended the University of Iowa for his undergraduate education and received a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry in 1998. Dr. Burds also attended dental school at the University of Iowa, graduating in 2001. While in dental school, Dr. Burds was active in dental research and student government.
Soon after dental school graduation, Dr. Burds served on the Board of the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry for four years. He was president of the IAGD from 2005 to 2006. Dr. Burds has also volunteered his professional time and services with Donated Dental Services and the Des Moines Health Center’s Children’s Mobile Dental Clinic. He is also a member of the Des Moines District Dental Society, the Iowa Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the G.V. Black Dental Study Club.
Dr. Burds and his wife, Colin, live in Ankeny. They have three daughters that they enjoy immensely. Outside of his profession, Dr. Burds spends most of his time with his family, and also enjoys cycling, basketball, and following the Hawkeyes!
Dr. Lawson’s Professional Bio
Dr. Jessica Lawson was raised in West Des Moines, Iowa and was a 1999 graduate of Valley High School. Dr. Lawson attended the University of Iowa for her undergraduate education where she took pre-dental classes and received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish; her foreign language education included studying abroad in Spain.
Dr. Lawson also attended dental school at the University of Iowa and graduated in 2007, being inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society. While in dental school, Dr. Lawson was active in dental research, student government and usanized a dental mission trip to Costa Rica to work on underprivileged children.
Since graduation from dental school, Dr. Lawson has joined Dr. Stephen Burds and Dr. William Kingfield as part of the Gateway Dental Group. Dr. Lawson is a member of the
Des Moines District Dental Society, the Iowa Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the Chicago Dental Society. Dr. Lawson looks forward to becoming more involved in usanized dentistry, as well as donating her time and services to underserved populations in the Des Moines area.
Dr. Lawson and her husband, Bryan, live in West Des Moines. They have a one-year-old son who is a joy and is entertaining them constantly. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Lawson and her husband enjoy running in half-marathons, watching the Cubs and Hawkeyes, and getting involved in their church.
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