Charting a Collaborative Future: ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler on Unity, Wellness, and the Role of Endodontics
By Elisabeth Lisican
As President of the American Dental Association, Dr. Brett Kessler brings both a personal and professional depth that resonates across every corner of the dental community. In a recent conversation, Dr. Kessler shared a hopeful, human vision for the future of dentistry, grounded in collaboration, mental wellness, and science-based care.
His message was clear: in an era of growing public health challenges and professional burnout, dental organizations and specialties must stand together.
A Deep Respect for Endodontists
Dr. Kessler spoke with heartfelt appreciation for the specialty and its contributions to patient care and the dental profession at large.
“You all are a key player in the delivery of healthcare,” he said, recalling his clinical years. “Working with the endodontists that I worked with… enhanced my ability to do what I was really good at.” That mutual respect, he added, helped elevate his practice and his connection with patients.
He also acknowledged the key role that endodontists play in patient health, calling it “amazing,” “unique,” and “so vital.” It’s not just a matter of expertise—it’s a cornerstone of comprehensive care. The value of those clinical relationships continues to inform how Dr. Kessler leads at the national level.
The Power of Partnership
Partnerships between general dentists and specialists are essential—but so too are partnerships between the associations that represent them. Dr. Kessler pointed to the warm relationship between the ADA and AAE as a model, referencing ADA President-Elect Dr. Rich Rosato’s experience attending an AAE event.
“He was just bouncing off the walls, sharing about it,” Kessler said. “How welcoming you all were and the reception of his message was so positive. It grew his spirit.”
This kind of energizing collaboration, Kessler emphasized, is exactly “what we’re going for.”
Oral Health 2050: Envisioning the Next 25 Years
As part of a shared commitment to shaping the future of the profession, Dr. Kessler and Dr. Rosato are looking ahead to Oral Health 2050—a forward-looking initiative that will invite every sector of dentistry to envision what optimal oral health care could look like 25 years from now. The project will explore major drivers of change, including the evolution of dental insurance, the integration of artificial intelligence, the shifting makeup of the dental team, the rising cost of education, and the role of dentistry in addressing national wellness and mental health. Rather than reacting to disruption, Oral Health 2050 will encourage proactive planning, collaborative innovation, and inclusive participation to ensure dentistry remains a trusted, science-based cornerstone of healthcare.
“We need Endo to be part of that conversation,” he said. “We need all the specialties to throw in their perspective.”
He was quick to acknowledge that his own insights have limits: “I don’t have the perspective that endodontists have because I’m not an endodontist,” he said. “But I value your perspective, and I want to amplify your perspective in driving this profession forward.”
For Dr. Kessler, success depends on inclusion: “We can’t do it in a vacuum.”
Confronting Misinformation with a Unified Voice
One of the greatest challenges facing dentistry today, according to Dr. Kessler, is the erosion of public trust in science and health professionals. Whether it’s misinformation about root canals, pseudoscientific treatments, or conspiracy-laced narratives around public health, dentists are increasingly forced to navigate a climate of skepticism and confusion.
“It’s never been a more important time for us to have a unified voice,” he said. “Especially with this challenge of science and public health.”
For Kessler, this is a call to action for professional organizations to work together to protect the integrity of the profession. When patients are bombarded with misinformation online, it’s not enough to correct myths one at a time—dentistry needs strategic, collective advocacy.
Mental Health: A Moral Imperative
He noted alarming statistics that 82% of dentists are showing signs of burnout, with rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorder climbing dangerously.
Through programs like the ADA’s new wellness resource, the Talkspace Go self-guided therapy app, members and students can access confidential mental health support directly from their phones—an important step in providing dignified, convenient help:
“Here’s an opportunity where you can access these resources with dignity at the convenience of your own home or office.”
But Dr. Kessler also stressed the need for deeper cultural change within dentistry, including reforming outdated licensing and credentialing questions that can deter professionals from seeking help:
“Mental illness is a chronic but manageable disease. And it should be categorized that way, especially by the licensing boards.”
Above all, he emphasized, seeking help should be seen as a strength, not a liability:
“There is help available and you can get through it and still accomplish great things.”
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Despite the challenges ahead, Dr. Kessler is optimistic. “It’s an exciting time,” he said. “It’s an uncertain time, but, you know, perhaps, you know, that’s where the opportunities come.”
He expressed enthusiasm about the growing connection between the ADA and AAE. “Really excited about what’s in store for our two organizations,” he said.
In that spirit of mutual respect and forward momentum, Dr. Kessler is leading the ADA with a clear message: dentistry’s best future will be written together.
Elisabeth Lisican is the AAE’s assistant director of communications & publishing.