From Rock Bottom to Leading Dentistry: ADA President's Journey Through Personal Recovery and Professional Crisis
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In a powerful farewell address, the outgoing president of the American Dental Association opened up about his journey from addiction to leadership, while navigating what he called a year of "unprecedented challenges" for the dental profession.
A Story of Recovery and Resilience
"Twenty-seven years ago, I was at rock bottom in my addiction," Dr. Brett Kessler told the ADA House of Delegates on October 25. "I didn't know if I wanted to live, let alone be a dentist. But through the gift of grace, I chose sobriety. And it was this community — through the resources and support of the tripartite — that set me on a path to recovery."
Serving as the ADA's 161st president, Dr. Kessler completed his term on October 28, having transformed his personal experience with addiction and recovery into a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. His presidency placed clinician wellness at the forefront of organizational priorities—a focus that resonated deeply with dental professionals facing mounting pressures.
Clinician Wellness: Breaking the Stigma
"This year we changed the narrative and culture around clinician wellness," Kessler announced during his presidential address. "We elevated our wellness resources to members, dental teams and students at no cost. The stigma is beginning to lift."
This emphasis on mental health and professional wellbeing represents a significant cultural shift within dentistry—a profession historically reluctant to openly address substance abuse, burnout, and mental health challenges among its ranks.
A Tumultuous Year for Public Health
Kessler described his tenure as "a year that humbled, stretched and inspired me in ways I could never have predicted," confronting multiple crises that threatened the foundation of public oral health in America.
The Fluoridation Battle
Community water fluoridation—one of the 20th century's greatest public health achievements—became a flashpoint of political controversy during Kessler's presidency. Fluoride bans enacted in Utah and Florida sparked intense debate, with the ADA fighting to preserve this evidence-based preventive measure.
"The science is clear: remove fluoridation, and people suffer — especially our children," Kessler stated emphatically. "At times, it felt like my presidency was defined by this fight. As a dentist and a dad of four, I knew the fight was worth it. We had to stand up for science — one of our core values."
Research indicates that eliminating fluoridation could cost billions in additional dental treatment, with children bearing the brunt of increased tooth decay—a reality exemplified by Calgary's experience after discontinuing water fluoridation.
Federal Funding Crisis Threatens Research
The Trump administration's budget reductions resulted in an estimated $2 billion loss in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants—a devastating blow to dental research capacity nationwide.
"We fought to protect the mission of the CDC Division of Oral Health," Kessler said, referencing the agency's controversial elimination on April 1 as part of federal restructuring. The dismantling of this division eliminated key prevention programs that had served communities for decades.
"Our message was clear: oral health is health," Kessler emphasized. "That was the first pillar of my presidency — reconnecting the mouth to the body."
This holistic philosophy challenged the historical separation of dental care from medical care, advocating for integrated approaches to patient health.
Internal Organizational Challenges
Beyond external threats, the ADA faced significant internal turbulence during Kessler's term:
Leadership Transitions: The resignation of former executive director Dr. Raymond A. Cohlmia created organizational instability.
Operational Issues: Problems with the association's management system required immediate attention.
Financial Concerns: Questions about financial stability necessitated strategic course corrections.
"I didn't run for this position to manage the day-to-day business operations of the ADA," Kessler acknowledged candidly. "When we saw that the business operations were not heading in a good direction, we course-corrected three months into my term. Being a changemaker is hard because change is hard."
Leadership Lessons from Recovery
Kessler drew explicit connections between the perseverance required for sobriety and the resilience needed to lead through crisis:
"Several states have already shifted from punitive to supportive approaches," he observed, noting increased conversations around wellness and colleagues supporting one another. "We're having more conversations around wellness, and I'm seeing more colleagues supporting each other."
This cultural transformation—from stigmatization to support—mirrors his personal journey and represents perhaps his most enduring legacy.
The Science Advocacy Imperative
Throughout his address, Kessler repeatedly emphasized dentistry's obligation to defend evidence-based practice against political interference and misinformation:
- Standing firm on fluoridation despite political pressure
- Advocating for sustained research funding
- Protecting public health infrastructure
- Maintaining professional standards during policy upheaval
A Call to Courage
Kessler's presidency—marked by both external challenges and internal transformation—embodied the principle that meaningful change, whether personal or institutional, requires courage.
His willingness to publicly discuss his addiction and recovery broke longstanding professional taboos, creating space for honest conversations about the mental health challenges facing dental professionals. Meanwhile, his defense of fluoridation and public health infrastructure demonstrated commitment to evidence over expediency.
Looking Forward
Dr. Thomas M. Paumier from Canton, Ohio, was elected president-elect on October 27 by the ADA House of Delegates, preparing to inherit an organization strengthened by difficult conversations and battle-tested by policy challenges.
Broader Implications for the Profession
Kessler's tenure offers several lessons for dental leadership:
1. Vulnerability as Strength: Sharing personal struggles can build trust and inspire others facing similar challenges.
2. Values-Based Leadership: Defending core professional values—evidence-based practice, patient welfare, scientific integrity—requires courage when facing political pressure.
3. Cultural Change Takes Time: Shifting organizational culture around wellness and support requires sustained commitment beyond a single leadership term.
4. Crisis Management: Effective leadership during turbulent times requires both strategic vision and tactical flexibility.
5. Integration, Not Isolation: Reconnecting oral health to overall health represents essential evolution for the profession.
The Personal Cost of Public Service
While Kessler's address focused on organizational achievements and challenges, it also acknowledged the personal toll of leadership during crisis:
- Managing constant pressure from multiple fronts
- Balancing advocacy with organizational governance
- Maintaining personal wellbeing while addressing professional wellness
- Making difficult decisions with incomplete information
- Facing criticism from multiple constituencies
A Legacy of Openness
Perhaps Kessler's most significant contribution is demonstrating that dental leaders can be both vulnerable and effective—that acknowledging personal struggles doesn't diminish professional authority but rather strengthens connection with colleagues facing similar challenges.
By grounding his presidency in the same principles that guided his recovery—honesty, perseverance, community support, and commitment to growth—Kessler modeled leadership that is both human and effective.
Final Reflection
As Dr. Kessler concluded his term, his presidency stands as a testament to the power of personal transformation and the importance of principled leadership during challenging times. His journey from "rock bottom" to leading America's dental profession demonstrates that recovery is possible, that vulnerability can strengthen rather than weaken leadership, and that defending professional values matters—even when the fight is difficult.
For a profession facing unprecedented external pressures and long-overdue internal reckonings around wellness and mental health, Kessler's example offers both inspiration and a roadmap forward.
References:
Original Article:
"ADA president reflects on sobriety, 'unprecedented challenges' over fluoridation and funding cuts"
Published on: Oral Health Group
Read the complete article: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/dental-industry/ada-president-reflects-on-sobriety-and-unprecedented-challenges-over-fluoridation-and-funding-cuts-1003990832/