About Brett
I am a catalyst for positive change in the world.
I do it in my recovery,
I do it in my athletics,
I do it in my dentistry,
I do it in my leadership.
Everyone has a story to tell
That call saved my life.
I'm Brett Kessler, DDS, past president of the American Dental Association and the Colorado Dental Association.
In 1998, I found recovery from substance use disorder, a fact I never shy away from. At my lowest point, I called the Michigan Dental Association's well-being program and asked for help. That call saved my life.
Since then, I've built a practice from zero patients, led the Colorado Dental Association as it helped create a dental benefit that gave 300,000 low-income adults access to care, served as the 161st President of the American Dental Association, finished the Ironman World Championships in Kona twice, and celebrated nearly three decades of sobriety.
The turning point
What came after the call
- 1998Called for help, and a new chapter began in recovery.
- 2003Opened Town Center Dentistry and Orthodontics in Denver with zero patients and no insurance.
- 2007First testified before Congress on behalf of the American Dental Association.
- 2014Became President of the Colorado Dental Association and helped create a dental benefit for low-income adults, giving 300,000 people access to care.
- 2018Turned 50, sold the practice, ran for the ADA's national board, finished the Ironman World Championship in Kona, and celebrated 20 years of sobriety.
- 2024Picked up his 26-year sobriety coin the day before he became the 161st President of the American Dental Association.
In honor of my mother
“In 2018, I checked off a lifelong bucket list item: the Ironman World Championship in Kona. I raced in honor of my mother, who passed away from leukemia the year before, and raised almost $70,000 in her honor to fund research for future treatments to fight this awful disease.”
Leadership, service, and the long road
Credentials for introductions, programs, and press. See his full professional background on LinkedIn.
161st President, American Dental Association
2024 to 2025, leading 163,000 members
Past President, Colorado Dental Association
Chairman, Colorado Dental Well-Being Committee
Congressional and White House Testimony
Before Congress since 2007; White House in 2025
Two-Time Ironman World Championship Finisher
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 2018 and 2019
“Top Dentist,” 5280 Magazine
Every year since 2005
Fellow of Three Honor Societies
American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy
Why I share
I share my story because you never know who's listening, what they hear, or when they hear it. When I share, it empowers others to make changes in their own lives.
Or email brett@dentistryreimagined.net
