Meet Us

Robert J. Keck, DDS, MS

Dr. Robert Keck was born and raised in Fairmont, Minnesota. He received a B.S. degree from St. Cloud State University in 1972 and received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1976. While in Dental School, he was the recipient of a U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship. He completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Ft. Leonard Wood Army Hospital and was then stationed at Hohenfels, Germany where he was the clinic commander from 1977-80. Dr. Keck completed the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, receiving an M.S. degree in 1983.

Dr. Keck joined Dr. T.H. Dedolph in the private practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in St. Cloud. Dr. Dedolph had been his mentor while he attended SCSU and encouraged him to enter Dental School. Dr. Keck began a new era of oral and maxillofacial surgery in St. Cloud, being the first to perform orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) in the upper jaw as well as surgeries done entirely with a trans-oral (inside the mouth only) approach. He also was the first to perform temporomandibular joint surgery, and the first in St. Cloud to place dental implants . In 1987 he founded Centrasota Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, which has grown to a five-surgeon practice with four outreach clinics.

While maintaining a busy clinic schedule, Dr. Keck has been very active in hospital, dental, and civic activities. He has served as chairman of the Department of Dentistry at St. Cloud Hospital, president of the St. Cloud Dental Society, president of the Minnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and as a delegate of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He was an original member of the St. Cloud Dental-Facial Deformities team and served on a special committee of the Minnesota Department of Health for developing surgical criteria for patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. Dr. Keck has served on the Board of Directors of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home and in numerous capacities at his church.

Dr. Keck has thoroughly enjoyed practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery and now practices on a limited part-time basis, filling in as needed since his retirement in January of 2008.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and most anything to do with outdoor activities in and around Minnesota. He intends to resume a woodworking hobby and travel with his wife Joanne. They have a grown son and daughter and two grandchildren, with whom they hope to spend a lot of time. He is and always will be a die-hard St. Cloud State University Husky Hockey fan.