In this powerful episode of Medentee Talk, Alex Raychuk interviews Dr. Brett Kessler, President of the American Dental Association and Ironman World Championship finisher.
Dr. Kessler shares his deeply personal story of overcoming addiction, his path to recovery, and how that journey shaped his mission-driven leadership. From battling substance abuse to completing one of the world’s most grueling athletic events, and ultimately leading the largest dental organization in the world—this is a story of resilience, purpose, and transformation.
Key topics include:
Mental health, addiction, and burnout in dentistry
Preparing for and completing the Ironman at age 50
The future of oral health, AI, and the ADA’s vision
Leadership through intention and impact
To contact Dr. Kessler: kesslerb@ada.org
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Timecode:
00:00 | Intro
01:57 | Overcoming Addiction: A Personal Journey
05:33 | The Impact of Sharing Personal Struggles
07:17 | Taking on the Ironman Challenge
12:50 | Training Challenges and Mental Resilience
17:12 | Crossing the Finish Line: A Moment of Triumph
19:04 | Becoming President of the ADA
20:59 | Regulations in Dental Implantology
23:03 | Impact of Tariffs on the Dental Industry
25:24 | Goals for the ADA Presidency
26:38 | Embracing Technology in Dentistry
31:08 | Global Membership and Resources
32:33 | Living Intentionally: A Final Thought