Dr . Brian Schwab , FOURTH DISTRICT
Did you always know you wanted to be a dentist when you were younger ? If not , what did you want to be when you grew up ?
I have wanted to be a dentist since the eighth grade when I did a career shadow of my family dentist Michael S . Shuman , DMD , FICD . He supported my early interest in the field by letting me observe in his office and mentored me though high school , college , and dental school .
What motivated you to pursue a career in organized dentistry ? I was encouraged by local leaders in the Berks County Dental Society to get involved in organized dentistry immediately after graduating from dental school . As a young dentist , I was passionate about student debt and practice transitions . A decade and a half later , I am still very interested in the plight of new dentists .
When and where did you attend dental school ? I am a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where I was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society . Prior to Penn , I received a bachelor ’ s degree in biology , summa cum laude , from Albright College in Reading , Pennsylvania .
Where do you currently practice ? I currently have an intramural practice in family dentistry in Blandon , a suburb between Reading and Allentown . I joined the practice of Michael S . Shuman , DMD in 2006 and purchased it in 2010 . I currently practice with my business partner Brent A . Valosin , DMD , and our associate Nicholas M . Seigel , DMD . We have a brand new , 7000 square foot , 16 operatory practice in busy Berks County .
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing dentistry as a profession ? The biggest issue facing dentistry at the moment is the ever-rising cost of obtaining a dental education . Younger dentists are facing huge monthly loan payments and the profession needs to create opportunities for these younger dentists to join practices and earn what they need to pay their loans and begin their lives .
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing organized dentistry ? The most challenging issue facing organized dentistry is the fact that we are losing our relevance across the demographics . We cannot be everything to everyone , nor should we try . We have to proclaim a message that our potential members and current members appreciate and fuse the vision and mission of the Pennsylvania Dental Association to recruit and retain members . Without our members , what purpose do we have ?
Dr . Schwab ’ s personal story
I grew up in Fleetwood , Berks County , Pa , a suburb of Reading .
I have an older brother , George who lives in Owings Mills , Maryland with his wife Jessica and my handsome nephew and beautiful niece .
I married the love of my life , Dr . Audrey Smeltzer on October 1 , 2010 . Audrey has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and teaches Chemistry and Physics at the Muhlenberg Senior High School in Reading . We have 3 children ; John , Hailey , and Luke .
In our spare time , Audrey and I enjoy raising alpacas and sheep on our farm in the historic Oley Valley . We are always doing some project on our 300-year-old farmhouse or one of our outbuildings . We are very busy with our children and their various sports . When I have free time I enjoy playing tennis and golf and reading .
Name some fun / interesting things about yourself that others would be surprised to learn . Our farm was established in 1732 by a land grant from William Penn ’ s sons in what was Philadelphia County at the time . We have the original indenture hanging in our home .
I was a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania from 2006-2009 and again from 2014-2018 . I previously was an ex officio member of the PDA Board of Trustees when I was the Chair of the PDA New Dentist Committee .
Who was your greatest role model ? My greatest role model is undoubted Dr . Michael S . Shuman . He taught me more about dentistry and life than any one other person . His mentorship and support have always been appreciated . His time on the PDA Board inspired me to follow in his footsteps and serve this great organization .
What famous person would you most like to spend a day with ? If I could spend a day with anyone , it would be Benjamin Franklin . Not only was he the greatest Pennsylvanian to ever live , but also a scholar , the author of independence , and the founder of the University of Pennsylvania . A truly amazing man .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 35