Summary: Brett Kessler, DDS, has been installed as the 161st president of the American Dental Association. With over 27 years of ADA involvement, Kessler plans to focus on health, wellness, diversity, and inclusivity, while emphasizing the importance of oral health in addressing broader health conditions.
Key Takeaways:
- Kessler aims to improve oral health’s role in addressing diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues, while fostering diversity and inclusion within the ADA.
- His leadership experience spans numerous roles in both the ADA and Colorado Dental Association, making him a well-rounded advocate for the dental profession.
Brett Kessler, DDS, has been installed as the 161st president of the American Dental Association (ADA), the organization announced. Prior to being installed, Kessler served as ADA president-elect, fourteenth district trustee, and has chaired several ADA committees, including the diversity and inclusion committee, the audit committee, and the ADA Science and Research Institute’s board of directors.
Focus on Health, Wellness, and Inclusivity
During his presidency, Kessler stated that he intends to focus on platforms that draw from his background and years of experience in promoting health and wellness, fostering diversity and inclusivity, and improving access to care through both public and private benefit reforms. Currently, he is leading a discussion of how improving oral health will also improve diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure.
“I am honored to be your ADA President,” said Kessler. “In the year ahead, persistence, resilience, and a sharp focus on what’s most important to our ADA community will allow us to shape a brighter future for everyone.”
Extensive Involvement with the ADA
An ADA member for more than 27 years, Kessler has served on the ADA House of Delegates as vice chair of the dental wellbeing advisory committee and the council of dental benefits programs. Additionally, he has served as a board of trustees liaison to the council on advocacy for access and prevention, council of communications, and council on dental practice. He was awarded the Golden Apple award for Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring in 2010, the highest award from the ADA.
“My term will focus on the power of now. Now is the time for the ADA to continue to lead the way in making oral health recognized as essential; in connecting the practitioner to the support they need to thrive mentally and physically; and in helping to promote behaviors that improve the oral and overall health of our nation,” said Kessler.
Active Leadership in the Dental Community
Kessler is an active member of the Colorado Dental Association and served as its president from 2014-2015. Prior to his term, he held various leadership roles within the organization. He is also involved with the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society, the Colorado Prosthodontic Society, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Colorado Dental Association Foundation, where he was the Founding Chair.
Kessler graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry and completed his General Practice Residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He has experience practicing in a wide variety of practice modalities, including hospital settings, as an employee dentist, practice owner in a fee-for-service startup, and chief dental officer at a dental support organization. He currently practices in a restorative preferred provider organization.
Kessler has been an educator at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and University of Michigan. He is married to Gina Kessler, DDS, and they have four children together.
