American Dental Association president visits WesternU College of Dental Medicine
American Dental Association President Brett Kessler, DDS, talked with administrators, faculty, and students from Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Dental Medicine about self-care and the impact of oral health on overall health.
Dr. Kessler visited WesternU’s Pomona, California campus on Aug. 25, 2025, and gave a noon presentation where he talked about how dentistry saved his life. He entered dental school in 1991 with a substance abuse problem and graduated with a worse substance abuse problem. He hit bottom in his third year of practice. He attributes the beginning of his recovery to a phone call to the Michigan Dental Association well-being program.
“So, I feel like I’m giving back to the profession that gave me a life. As I got better, I got inspired to live my best life,” Kessler said.
He got sober in 1998, and at the time he never imagined he would eventually become ADA president.
“That was never in my grand plan. I was contemplating whether I should live or die, and I made that phone call,” Kessler said. “Every state in this country has a wellness program. Many of us will experience some extreme lows in our careers. Just know that we’re there to support you, because an untreated mental illness or untreated addiction (can) lead to death.”
Kessler emphasized to students that “you are your most valuable asset. Take care of yourself as such and start now.”
Dr. Kessler also shared a powerful clinical case from his residency that underscored the critical link between oral health and systemic disease. He recounted treating a patient suffering from bacterial endocarditis, a life-threatening heart infection with an unknown origin. After weeks of hospitalization and persistent fever, Kessler conducted a dental exam, identified an infected tooth, and performed an extraction.
A culture of the infection revealed the presence of Streptococcus Viridans, the same bacteria found on the patient’s heart valve, organisms typically confined to the oral and nasal cavities. This discovery confirmed the oral origin of the infection and highlighted the vital role dental professionals play in diagnosing and preventing systemic illness.
“This was the moment medical-dental integration became real for me,” Kessler said. “It shaped my entire career, knowing that the mouth is connected to the body, and that our work in oral health can profoundly impact overall patient outcomes.” This case serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of interprofessional collaboration in health care and the transformative potential of oral health expertise in saving lives.
The college was privileged to welcome Dr. Kessler for a full day of engagement with institutional and college leadership, as well as student representatives. In a series of thoughtful discussions, Dr. Kessler addressed pressing issues shaping the future of oral health, including shifts in the financial aid landscape, evolving models of clinical dental practice, and the potential impact of Medicaid reductions. He also highlighted the American Dental Association’s advocacy efforts to ensure oral health providers have a voice in national conversations about public health.
Emphasizing the critical role of research, Dr. Kessler underscored that the future of oral health care must be guided by evidence-based decision-making. He affirmed that the work of oral health researchers is essential to advancing clinical excellence and improving outcomes for communities nationwide.
“After reading Dr Kessler’s bio I was truly inspired by his story of overcoming many struggles in his life that led him to be a resilient and forward-thinking leader whose goal is to show up as his best self,” shared Dr. Elizabeth Andrews, Dean of the College of Dental Medicine. “His time with our College and University community was both impactful and energizing, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing oral health education and the dental profession in ways that truly meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”
