Presidents

Dear Colleagues,

A new year can represent a fresh start, with many of us setting intentions to improve our lives in some way. These resolutions often pertain to our well-being — of which mental health is an important part.

Sadly, when it comes to mental health, the dental profession is facing a stark reality: according to the 2024 ADA Council on Communications Trend Report, more than 82% of dentists report major career stress. The pressures of our work often lead many of us to struggle in silence with challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout.

Keeping our professional community well is among my top priorities as your ADA president. Dentistry and life are tough, and the ADA is committed to ensuring you have tools to help you feel your best.

I’m excited to share a new resource now available exclusively for all ADA members and dental students — completely free and confidential: Talkspace Go.

This self-guided therapy app is designed to fit into the busy lives we lead as dental professionals. In just five minutes a day, you can find tools to support your mental well-being, from managing work stress and relationships to maintaining balance in your life. The app is personalized, science-backed, and it meets you exactly where you are.

Here’s how to get started:

• Visit ADA.org/TalkspaceGo to log in with your ADA information. After you log in, you will receive your member-only access code.
• Download Talkspace Go on iOS or Android.
• Create an account and enter the ADA organization code.
• Answer 25 quick questions to help identify areas where you need support.
• Dive into customized courses, daily journaling, and even live workshops led by therapists.

I’ve used Talkspace Go myself, and I can tell you — it’s not just another app. It’s a powerful tool that can help you take those small, impactful steps toward living your best life.

The support doesn’t stop there: I encourage you to visit ADA.org/Wellness to explore more resources for being at your best in 2025, including...

• Well-Being Index (WBI): This anonymous assessment tool helps you check in on your mental health and receive tailored resources. You can use it as often as you need year-round. Get started here.
• Physical and Ergonomic Health: Dentistry can take a toll on our bodies. The ADA offers tools to help reduce strain and improve your daily work environment.  Learn about ergonomic stretches and more at ADA.org/App.

Beyond individual wellness, the ADA is committed to driving systemic changes that support our entire profession.

One of our key efforts is eliminating stigmatizing mental health questions from licensure applications. States like Texas, Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oregon have already made important changes, and more are on the way. Recently, the Oregon Board of Dentistry approved aligning their initial and renewal questions to those of the Oregon Board of Medicine, shifting health-related questions to focus on current impairment rather than past diagnoses or treatment. This is a big win in Oregon, and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the coming year.

We’re also supporting the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, the only federal law dedicated to reducing burnout and suicide among healthcare workers.

Additionally, through the ADA’s Wellness Ambassador Program, we’re training dentists to support their peers who may be struggling and facilitate connections with clinical professionals and other resources. This initiative is led by ADA’s Council on Dental Practice and their Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee (DWAC)—a group of dedicated professionals that includes dentists, mental health experts, and other dental team members.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please text or call 988 to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.

Let’s make 2025 the year we choose wellness, together.

Sincerely,

Brett Kessler, D.D.S.
President, American Dental Association

Dear Colleagues:

For decades, the American Dental Association has led the national conversation on oral health, amplifying dentistry’s perspective among the policymakers who shape the country’s health care agenda. As a result, our legislative advocacy has driven meaningful change for patients, the profession, and public health. The momentum continues as we enter 2025.

This week, with the start of a new U.S. presidential administration, we’re boldly carrying the ADA’s voice to the pages of The Washington Post, one of the most widely read newspapers in the country. In a sponsored editorial titled  “America’s well-being depends on oral health,” I urge the new administration and elected officials to ensure that oral health is a priority in future health care policies.

The editorial underscores a need for solutions in the critical areas of dental insurance reform, disease prevention, and oral health literacy. It also emphasizes the importance of a robust, well-trained workforce for the adequate provision of oral health care in our communities.

Appearing in the Post’s January 19 print edition and online, the editorial’s publication is timed to reach the hundreds of legislators who are gathering in our nation’s capital for President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Ultimately, the piece calls upon all government officials to recognize oral health’s role in fostering a healthier, more prosperous society.

You can read the full editorial on The Washington Post website.

As we know, the United States’ approach to dental care needs a paradigm shift — one that requires the ADA to engage lawmakers as we strive to make people healthy. The editorial is just one demonstration of the ADA’s commitment to representing dentistry within the halls of power. There are many more opportunities for us to be heard, and we can all play a part in creating the future.

One such opportunity is ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day, to be held on March 30 – April 1 in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of our colleagues will convene on Capitol Hill to explore the issues and connect with political analysts, experts, and dentists working with Congress and other federal officials to represent our profession. We saw our biggest turnout to date in 2024, and we’re hoping for an even bigger event this year. Registration is now open.

You can also stay informed via the ADA Legislative Action Center, which provides updates on the federal legislation affecting the future of dental care and connects dentists with the state societies shaping policy closer to home.

As the ADA’s federal and state-level advocacy continues, I’m confident that by working together, we all can be catalysts of good health and forces for good in the lives of everyone we serve.

Sincerely,

Brett Kessler, D.D.S.
President, American Dental Association

Dear Colleagues,

As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the passion and strength that unite us as a dental family. This holiday season offers a moment to celebrate all we’ve achieved together and to dream even bigger for the year ahead.

Together, we’ve made bold strides — advocating for our patients, innovating for the future of dentistry, and standing strong on the values that drive our work.

Where we stand — with our feet firmly planted on a bedrock of credible science — has never been more evident. Major outlets like The Washington Post, USA Today and Time.com have recently shared our evidence-based stance on community water fluoridation to reach millions. Critical health measures are often part of political discourse, and when baseless claims erupt from elected officials, we will speak out.

As these conversations continue nationwide, and likely in your own backyard, you can access comprehensive fluoridation resources on ADA.org — an excellent tool to share with your communities.

The ADA is also continuing conversations with the U.S. Presidential transition team to address key oral health topics, including fluoridation and other efforts, that protect oral health in America and advance our mission of achieving optimal health for all. These measures will ensure that you, our members, will be successful.

Spirited dialogue is how we create connections that spur action. I saw this firsthand at the 2024 Lobbyist Conference just last week, where our biggest advocates came together to discuss the policies impacting oral health nationwide. Moments like these remind me of the power of our collective voice and how the long road ahead requires resilience.

I encourage each of you to take time this holiday season to reflect and recharge. Be proud of the difference you make every day — for your patients, peers, and communities — and don’t forget to care for yourself, too. When we care for ourselves, we show up stronger for those we serve.

Here’s my challenge for you as we step into the new year:

• Prioritize your wellness: Focus on what brings you balance—whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or social health.
• Reconnect with loved ones. Spend time with those who ground you and inspire you.
• Take time for yourself. Whether through quiet reflection, physical activity, or moments of joy, find what brings you fulfillment and reconnects with your “why.”
• Celebrate your wins: Every victory counts — big or small. Be proud of the impact you’ve made. As your ADA President, I’ll be celebrating all of you and the opportunity to serve you and our profession.

To support your wellness journey, I invite you to take advantage of the Well-Being Index—an anonymous assessment tool developed by the Mayo Clinic and newly available to members at no cost.

It takes just one minute to assess your risks for fatigue, depression, anxiety, and burnout and get connected to tailored ADA resources. You can retake the Index whenever you want and track your progress through a personal dashboard.

It’s a simple step that can provide meaningful insights into your wellness journey. For additional health and wellness resources, I encourage you to visit ADA.org/Wellness, and stay tuned for more resources to come to help you thrive in the new year!

As we step into 2025, let’s continue building a brighter future together — celebrating our achievements, uplifting one another, and living our best lives every step of the way.

From my family to yours, I wish you a joyful holiday season filled with health, laughter, and love.

Sincerely,

Brett Kessler, D.D.S.
President, American Dental Association

Dear Colleagues,

It’s an incredible honor to write to you as the newly installed 161st President of the American Dental Association. Years ago, I never imagined that I’d one day serve in this capacity to lead the greatest professional organization in the world. Thank you for your confidence and trust. It’s been an amazing start, and I am energized by the journey ahead.

I personally believe that anything is possible, especially for our ADA during this transformative era for dentistry. I’m also a firm believer in the power of now — every step we take today shapes a better tomorrow for our profession and those we serve.

This was evident in the time we spent together at SmileCon in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and in the possibilities unveiled during ADA Forsyth dentech 2024. I was pleased to join other dental leaders at this event, held Oct. 24-25, to discuss the future of oral health, share updates on the ADA Forsyth Institute’s groundbreaking work, and outline our vision for a national oral health initiative. It was a powerful reminder that we’re not just talking about change; we’re leading it — building it, one step at a time.

As our profession takes those steps together, I begin my presidential term with a focus on you and the many ways we can work together to drive dentistry forward for our communities. I have three areas of focus for the year ahead: Promoting wellness, fostering a culture of respect, and integrating oral and overall health.

Wellness is where it starts. As dentists, we give so much to our patients, but we often forget to take care of ourselves and each other. This is why I’m committed to inspiring others to live their best lives by staying well.

Over 80% of dentists report major stress, with many considering career changes. These are trends we can’t ignore.

Through the ADA Dentist Health and Wellness Program, state well-being programs, and our dedicated Wellness Ambassadors, resources are available at ADA.org/wellness to support you. We’re also advocating to reduce mental health stigma, working with the American Association of Dental Boards to create more supportive environments for dentists seeking help.

We have to remember that we are our most valuable asset, and we must take care of ourselves as such. We cannot pour from an empty cup.

A culture of respect is vital for our profession. Diversity and inclusion aren’t just our core values — they’re essential to strengthening our profession, improving access to care, and reflecting the communities we serve. As our profession evolves, I’m dedicated to ensuring that all voices are respected, heard, valued, and welcomed into our ADA family. Our mission is to ensure that every dentist succeeds — regardless of their background or how they choose to practice.

In addition to programs like the Institute for Diversity in Leadership and the Champions Network, our first-ever Strategic Forecast, adopted by the 2024 House of Delegates, reflects a vision shaped by over 200 diverse voices and sets our course for the next five years. Together, we're building a profession where everyone feels empowered to bring their best selves to the work they love.

Reconnecting the mouth to the body is essential. We make people healthy — this drives everything we do. For too long, oral health has been separate from overall health, but we know that oral health is health. It’s time we elevate dental care to the level of primary care. To achieve this, we must rethink outdated benefit models and champion a whole-body health philosophy. Because dentistry isn’t just about teeth; it is the gateway to the complete well-being of our patients.

Our advocacy efforts are pushing for policy changes. We’re lobbying for comprehensive adult dental Medicaid benefits and reforms in the private sector, and we will continue supporting states through State Public Affairs (SPA) and Fight Insurance Interference Strategic Taskforce (FIIST) grants to ensure that dental care is accessible and equitable for all.

We will also continue our work to improve transparency for plans governed by The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This past summer, we led a coalition of health care organizations that filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to review a Tenth Circuit decision undermining patient protections. We advocated for ERISA plans to comply with state laws that prioritize patient health and safety, ensuring protection against potentially abusive practices by insurers.

Reconnecting the mouth to the body goes beyond policy; it requires innovation. We must adopt new technologies, expand to broader health screenings, and collaborate with other healthcare disciplines. The ADA held a symposium on oral-systemic health this summer, where we hosted an array of experts and discussed pathways for dental-medical collaboration. We’re keeping that momentum going with another symposium in June 2025.

And let's not forget the incredible work of the ADA Forsyth Institute, which will shape the future of dentistry with groundbreaking research, public health outreach, and technological advancements that redefine care delivery.

The golden age of dentistry is here, and it’s only going to get better. Now is the time to take bold steps, think differently, and dream big. Each step we take now, no matter how small, gets us closer to our shared vision of a healthier world...so let’s make every step count.

I couldn’t be prouder or more excited to lead alongside you. Together, we are the changemakers. This is our moment to redefine what’s possible and build the future we want to see.

Let’s seize this moment. Let’s change the world.

Sincerely,

Brett Kessler, D.D.S.
President, American Dental Association