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Building Your Dental Career - Sep 29, 2026

September 29, 2026

Featured Guests:  Dr. Kayla Klingensmith

We’re sharing the career-building moves every dental professional should know, plus the five good habits that can help you build long-term success.

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Show Notes

  • In this episode, we’re sharing the career-building moves every dental professional should know, plus habits that can help you build long-term success.

  • Our guest is Dr. Karla Klingensmith. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Roanoke College, went to dental school at the University of Pittsburgh where she also got her Master’s in Public Health. Did her GRP at Lehigh Valley Hospital where she is an attending and is now the owner of Evergrow Dental in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she is passionate about helping patients achieve lasting oral health by uncovering the root causes of dental disease. Dr. Klingensmith is the chair of the American Dental Association’s New Dentist Committee. Dr. Klingensmith’s family includes her husband and her two standard poodles. She enjoys reading, crafting, and gardening.

  • Many dentists are surprised by how different practice is from dental school. Dr. Klingensmith discusses the challenges, expectations, and lessons that often catch new dentists off guard during their first job, including sharing her own first job experience.

  • When evaluating that first job search, should new dentists prioritize compensation or focus on finding the best learning environment? Dr. Klingensmith explains why the right experience early in your career can shape long-term growth, confidence, and success, and how to best evaluate what matters most to you.

  • Dr. Klingensmith shares the questions every dentist should ask before accepting a job offer, including how to evaluate mentorship opportunities, spot red flags during the interview process, connect with dentists already in the practice, and understand important contract provisions, such as restrictive covenants.

  • The group discusses that confidence takes time to build and reminds new dentists to give themselves grace as they develop their skills. The conversation explores how to approach unfamiliar procedures, embrace continuous learning, knowing your worth, and recognizing that competence is earned through experience, not expected on day one.

  • Landing the job is just the beginning. Dr. Klingensmith shares what professional development looks like during the early years of practice, including the skills that matter most, how to create a personal growth plan for yourself, and how dentists can make the most of even a few hours each month dedicated to learning and career development.

  • Knowing when to stay and when to move on from a job can be one of the biggest career decisions a dentist makes. Dr. Klingensmith discusses when she knew it was time to move on, and the signs that it may be time for a change.

  • Dr. Klingensmith says that the important financial decisions new dentists should be thinking about from the start include managing debt, evaluating compensation, and building healthy financial habits.

  • What are the five things every new dentist should do during the first five years after dental school? Dr. Klingensmith shares the five good habits that helped her stay on track, from committing to continuing education and mentorship to building strong financial and professional foundations.

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