We live in a society of many people who only see first “ what ’ s in it for me ,” rather than asking “ what can I do to help ?”
David Schwartz , DDS FOURTH DISTRICT
DR . SCHWARTZ ’ S PERSONAL STORY
Did you always know you wanted to be a dentist when you were younger ? Yes , from about age 13 on .
What motivated you to pursue a career in organized dentistry ? My wife ’ s involvement in the now nearly defunct Pennsylvania Dental Assistant ’ s Association .
When and where did you attend dental school ? New York University , class of 1990 .
Where do you currently practice ? West Lawn , Pa ., a suburb of Reading . I have a solo practice that still does general dentistry , but my passion is finding the source of a person ’ s pain and headaches that the medical community has thrown their hands up . In all these cases there is a cranio-mandibular component that has been overlooked . Physiology is awesome !
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing dentistry as a profession ? Government mandates and insurance intrusion into our businesses . They do not know or understand dentistry . I know the insurance companies do not care , for they continue to bite the hand that feeds them .
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing organized dentistry ? Creating enough tangible value for the members . We live in a society of many people who only see first “ what ’ s in it for me ,” rather than asking “ what can I do to help ?” I have long said that I am OK if only 10 % of our local shows up for an event . We need to make it the best event for those who care enough to show up , and then have them rave about it . Those that did not attend will hear what they missed and some of them will not make that mistake again .
Pennsylvania was the fourth state that he lived in by the time he was in fifth grade , following New York , New Jersey and Maryland . “ I hate moving , so I have stayed in Berks County since moving here in 1974 .”
Dr . Schwartz has two siblings , Steven ( deceased in 2014 at age 52 ) and Susan , 49 .
He has been married to Nancy for 27 years . They have a daughter , Lauren , 20 . Nancy has 2 other children Nathan , 42 , and Lisha , 39 . They have 3 grandchildren from Lisha – Collin , 12 , Keria , 8 , and Weston , 3 .
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ( hobbies )? There are many things that I would like to do , but I never seem to have the time to get to them . I have two old family cars that I have been collecting pieces to restore , but that is as far as I have gotten in 30 + years . I do like relaxing around the campfire when we go camping in our RV . I do enjoy the outcome of a day ’ s gardening , but I do not enjoy the work to get there like I use to . I also enjoy doing home improvement and wood working projects when I have the time . Lately I have hired contractors for the home projects so they get done .
Name some fun / interesting things about yourself that others would be surprised to learn . I earned my Eagle Scout as a teen . Maybe that is what also drove me to a leadership position in dentistry . I have continued my father-in-law ’ s lunchbox collection after he passed in 2003 . He had over 400 unique lunch boxes , and I have added about 25 to that collection .
Who was your greatest role model ? I hope this does not sound arrogant , but I do not have anyone in particular . There are many people that I think are or were good people and left a positive effect on society . I hope to do the same in my time .
What famous person would you most like to spend a day with ? There again , I cannot think of someone . Maybe I am just afraid that if I do meet them , it will either burst the bubble of who I thought they were or that I would become more of an introvert and the meeting would be wasted . Now , if there was a way to go back in time , I would be willing to risk changing the course of history to stop some assassinations , like Abe Lincoln , JFK , or John Lennon , to name a few .
Dr . Schwartz said , “ Dentistry is not a profession for everyone , but for me it was the best combination of art and science and little blood . That is what makes it the best occupation for me .”
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 15