Prevention, Policy, and Patient Wellness with Dr. Brett Kessler

What if your dentist was a key player in preventing and managing chronic diseases, not just treating cavities?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, shares his remarkable story—from overcoming substance abuse to becoming a powerful advocate for wellness in dentistry and healthcare policy reform. His personal story of transformation illuminates how dentistry can evolve from a primarily surgical-based model to one focused on chronic disease management and whole-body wellness.

Dr. Kessler discusses the critical disconnect between dental and medical benefit systems that hinders comprehensive patient care. He shares a compelling example from his early career where he treated a hospitalized patient with infected teeth containing the exact bacteria causing her heart valve infection—yet dental care wasn’t covered by her medical benefits. This experience fueled his mission to expand access to care, leading to Medicaid dental benefits for 300,000 previously underserved Coloradans and pushing for broader reforms that recognize the mouth’s connection to overall health.

The conversation explores how dentistry must transition from merely “spinning drills” to managing inflammation, implementing preventative diagnostics, and becoming true oral health physicians. Dr. Kessler envisions dentists conducting A1C testing, airway assessments, and using advanced technologies like AI and salivary diagnostics to detect problems before they require invasive treatments. “The golden age of dentistry is right in front of us,” he declares.

The Think Oral Health podcast dives deep into the profound connection between oral and systemic health. Join hosts Mariya Filipova and Dr. Jonathan Levine as they explore groundbreaking perspectives with pioneering healthcare innovators, researchers, and clinicians.