Too many young dentists underestimate how much they have to offer. But teaching earlier lifts the next generation while boosting your clinical confidence and connection to the profession for a lifetime.

By Adam Lowenstein, DMD, MS

DENTISTRY IS RARELY a solitary journey—and it certainly can’t be mastered alone. A solid career in the profession is built on the steady hands, sharp minds and generous hearts of the people who teach us, guide us and believe in us long before we fully believe in ourselves. My own path began with that kind of support. While my parents, Dr. Robin Eliasberg and Dr. Jeffrey Lowenstein, and my uncle, Dr. Bud Mopper, seeded in me a love of learning and a responsibility to serve, that was just the beginning.

More People to Shape Us
As my career progressed, I was shaped by remarkable clinicians and educators. I share their names here not simply out of gratitude, but also to show just how many people it took to help me reach this point. Some of the most influential include Dr. Gerard Kugel, Dr. Athena Papas, Dr. Russell Taichman, Dr. Cheen Loo, Dr. Meletia Laskou, Dr. Carlos Mourão, Dr. Ken Marsh, Dr. Abe Abdul, Dr. Mouhab Rizkallah. Dr. Steven Spitz and Dean Nadeem Karimbux—each of whom modeled what it means to treat patients with skill and integrity while lifting the next generation.

That’s probably why I began teaching so early in my career. I quickly realized that classroom work not only benefits students but also shapes us as clinicians. The ability to teach reinforces evidence-based practice and deepens individual reflection on your own patient care. You’re forced to clarify your own thinking, and in doing so you stay sharper, more current and more honest with yourself about why you practice the way you do.

Ultimately, teaching keeps me grounded in both my practice and the broader profession.

The Value of Giving Back
Teaching has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career because it constantly reminds me why I chose pediatric dentistry in the first place. My clinical judgment is better. My professional network is bigger. And as I adopt new technologies to my practice, I look forward to adding them to the curricula. For example, looking ahead, I hope to integrate AI-assisted diagnostics and simulation-based learning to enrich student education and patient care.

Interested? The process is straightforward. Reach out to local dental schools. Most have faculty positions available for lectures, labs or supervised patient care. You can start slowly, committing to a rotation or single course while evaluating your fit.

Why Education Needs You
For those not yet interested, remember one thing: Dentists and faculty are essential to dental education. They bring real-world experience to the classroom and clinic. Without instructors, dental schools could not graduate as many skilled clinicians, nor could they provide the diverse clinical experience modern dentistry demands. Teaching exposes students to different approaches, patient populations and philosophies of care while allowing practicing dentists to give back to the profession in a meaningful way.

Ultimately, teaching keeps me grounded in both my practice and the broader profession. It’s an opportunity to give back, stay intellectually curious and mold the next generation of dentists. In doing so, it continuously brings me back to the joy and purpose that made me fall in love with dentistry in the first place. That goes beyond pay, and it’s something you simply can’t put a price on.

ADAM LOWENSTEIN, DMD, MS is an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and a graduate of its pediatric dentistry program. He also holds a master’s degree from Boston University. A member of Incisal Edge’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025, he has been recognized with the ADA 10 Under 10 and Massachusetts Dental Society 10 Under 10 awards. Dr. Lowenstein practices
pediatric dentistry in Framingham and Wellesley, Massachusetts.