Hey there, Nifty Thrifty fam! This week, Dr. Glenn Vo welcomed back Dr. Brett Kessler, Past President of the American Dental Association, for an honest conversation that cuts through the noise.
If you’ve ever wondered “What is the ADA actually doing?” or “Why should I pay dues?” this episode is a must-watch.
Why Dr. Kessler Got Involved (And Why That Matters)
Dr. Kessler didn’t “wake up” as ADA President. He shared that his leadership journey started from frustration after he sought help for a substance abuse issue and felt the licensing process treated him punitively.
That experience sparked action:
He joined committee work, found his voice, and kept showing up driven by a long-term vision to “maximally give back to the profession.”
The Work Most Dentists Never Hear About
A big theme of the episode: headlines don’t reflect the full story.
Dr. Kessler highlighted major efforts around:
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Dentist wellness and burnout, bringing the conversation “above the line”
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Advocacy and public trust, including national-level messaging
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Science and evidence-based dentistry, especially when challenged in public policy
Budgets, Transparency, and “What Happened?”
Dr. Vo pressed into the tough questions because that’s what the community wants.
Dr. Kessler explained that big organizational changes require investment, but also accountability. He described the work of stabilizing systems, reducing inefficiencies, and rebuilding infrastructure so the ADA can deliver value in a modern, digital-first world.
The Core Reality: Who Funds the ADA?
One of the most important moments of the episode:
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The ADA is member-funded
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If dentists disengage, the profession loses leverage especially against larger, better-funded entities
Insurance, DSOs, and Clinical Autonomy
They also addressed a common debate: why DSOs and insurers show up in organized dentistry spaces.
Dr. Kessler’s point was clear: dentistry is an ecosystem, and if dentists want change especially with benefits and reimbursement there has to be strategy, dialogue, and unified leverage.
What’s Next: Oral Health 2050
Looking forward, Dr. Kessler shared optimism about future-focused initiatives especially the Oral Health 2050 project, designed to map what oral health delivery could look like 25 years from now.
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