Kayla Klingensmith , DMD
Women in Dentistry
Kayla Klingensmith , DMD
What does leadership in organized dentistry mean to you ?
Leadership in organized dentistry has been something I have always been a part of . My parents set the precedent of being in leadership to make change and have your voice be heard . Leadership to me is a privilege to be a representative for others . Leadership means I get to take the many stories of others that I represent and be a voice in my community .
• 2016 graduate from University of Pittsburgh
• General dentist practicing in Lancaster
• Former Chair , PDA New Dentist Committee
• District 3 representative to ADA New Dentist Committee
• New Dentist Committee Representative to PDA ’ s Board of Trustees
• 2023 PDA 10 Under 10 Award
Do you have any advice to new dentists who are interested in becoming a leader in organized dentistry ?
To anyone that wants to get involved I have to say just do it ! Take opportunities like the PDA Leadership Academy or ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership and start to find a mentor in leadership . I encourage you to start at the local level and get to know your leaders there and they will connect you to even more mentors . You will find your niche and off you will go ! I encourage any new dentist to also reach out to anyone from the PDA new dentist committee and we will help you .
What inspired you to become a leader within organized dentistry ?
There are two people that come to mind who helped foster in me a desire to continue my work with ASDA to PDA and ADA . The first was Dr . Charlie Incalcaterra who volunteered me for so much right out of residency and got me started on the ground running . He is still someone I truly enjoy working with . The second is Dr . George Kirchner who was my mentor in residency and my fellow member in the church choir . Though I was robbed of having him as a lifelong mentor , I still learned from his kindness and energy that he carried to the very end of his life . He was involved in so much and did it all with a smile on his face and joy in his heart .
What does leadership mean to you ?
Leadership to me means a whole lot of listening and speaking at the correct moment when there is a point missing in a conversation .
What makes it worth your time to be involved in organized dentistry ?
You know as a young leader talking to students , or even younger dentists , I get the questions of “ why do you do this ?” all the time . My short answer to them is “ because then I would have never met you !” I think meeting other dentists and hearing their stories is probably my favorite part and what makes it all worth it . I will say also making friends across the country has been a true highlight and every time we come together it feels like a reunion .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 35