CHICAGO, October 22, 2024 — Brett Kessler, D.D.S., of Denver, Colo., is the newly installed 161st President of the American Dental Association (ADA). Prior to being installed, he dutifully 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.
During his presidency, Dr. Kessler 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 has been 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,” stated Dr. 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.”
An ADA member for more than 27 years, Dr. Kessler has served on the 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 also awarded the Golden Apple award for “Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring” in 2010, which is the highest award bestowed from the ADA.
“My term will focus on the power of now. Now is the time for the ADA 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.”
Dr. Kessler is an active member of the Colorado Dental Association and served as its president from 2014-2015. Prior to his term, he held a plethora of other leadership roles within the organization. Dr. Kessler is 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.
Dr. 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 setting, employee dentist, practice owner in a fee-for-service startup, chief dental officer at a Dental Support Organization and currently practices in a restorative Preferred Provider Organization.
Dr. Kessler has been an educator at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and University of Michigan. He is also a five-time Ironman triathlete, ultra-marathoner and avid trail runner. In addition to his commitment to personal wellness, he has been involved with volunteer organizations which promote substance abuse advocacy and wellbeing and become a national wellness and leadership speaker to support others on their journeys. He is married to Gina Kessler, D.D.S., and they have four children together.