Dr. Leon Klempner
There is something quietly profound about the moment you step into a role like this one. Not the ceremony of it – though I am deeply honored – but the weight of responsibility that settles in when you realize that you represent about 900 colleagues who have invested in this organization, and how much they are counting on you to make things better.
After decades in orthodontics, I’ve watched this field transform in remarkable ways—from the tools and materials we rely on every day, to the technology that has changed how we communicate with patients and with each other, to the business of orthodontics itself. Yet through all that change, one thing has remained the same: the resilience of our orthodontic community. Before sharing my agenda, I want to pause to sincerely thank several individuals who are essential to our success. To our past president, Dr. Joana Forsea, I appreciate your leadership, dedication, and the high standards you established for this organization. To the whole Executive Board, your dedication is the driving force behind NYSSO’s progress. To Kristin Dunn, whose administrative support quietly sustains our efforts, thank you.
Now, let me tell you what I’m planning to accomplish.
Supporting the Next Generation – With Specifics
As an educator, I’m fortunate to spend a lot of time with my residents. If there is one issue that keeps me up at night, it is the burden that new orthodontic graduates carry into their careers: student debt; the complexity of entering a market increasingly shaped by consolidation; and, of course, the gap between the clinical excellence we train for and the business acumen the real world demands.
We owe our newer colleagues more than welcome speeches. That is why one of my first initiatives will be launching an NYSSO webinar series specifically designed for orthodontic residents and recent graduates, focused on the practical realities of private practice – negotiating contracts and associateships, understanding overhead, building a referral network, navigating the DSO landscape, and everything in between. These will be accessible, substantive, and frankly, the kind of education most of us had to figure out on our own.
Alongside that, I want to create structured one-on-one mentorship opportunities pairing recent graduates with experienced orthodontists. Isolation is a real phenomenon among new practitioners, and it doesn’t have to be. We have an extraordinary depth of experience within our membership. Let’s use it.
Connecting Across New York State
The NYSSO serves orthodontists from New York City to Buffalo, from the Hudson Valley to the far northern and western counties. But too often, our programming skews toward more populous downstate areas by default. This year, I am committed to hosting a virtual town hall specifically designed to give our less urban members a direct line to the NYSSO Executive Board – to ask questions, raise concerns, and shape the direction of this organization. Geography should never be a barrier to engagement.
Building Community Across Specialties
One of the more exciting developments I have observed in our profession is the growing number of combined orthodontic and pediatric dental practices. This trend reflects what families have always wanted – coordinated, seamless care. The NYSSO has a role to play in nurturing the relationships that make those partnerships possible, and we have already started.
Our “Rave in the Cave” Halloween gathering – bringing together orthodontic and pediatric dental residents – was exactly the kind of event that builds the collegial bonds that last an entire career. We are going to build on that success and continue to create meaningful opportunities for these two communities to connect, collaborate, and have a little fun together.
Fighting for Fairness
It’s no secret that finding staff members is an ever-present issue. We will continue working to advance expanded licensing for orthodontic assistants – a practical step that strengthens our practices, supports our teams, and improves access to care for patients across New York State. This has been a long-standing pain point for NYS orthodontists. Under the leadership of Ken Cooperman and Renee Pompei, NESO President-Elect, we have been organized, persistent, and vocal in Albany on this issue.
Additionally, we will fight for fairness regarding the New York State sales tax on clear aligners. Orthodontic treatment is healthcare, and taxing the appliances used to deliver that treatment as if they were consumer goods is unfair, clinically illogical, and bad for patients.
Transparency and Communication
One thing I hear consistently from members is that they want to know more about what the NYSSO Executive Board is doing. That is fair feedback, and I take it seriously. This year, we will implement better and more consistent reporting of board meeting activities – timely, readable summaries that keep every member informed and connected to the decisions being made on their behalf. An engaged membership starts with transparent leadership.
What I Am Asking of You
Leading this organization is a privilege I do not take lightly. But no president accomplishes anything alone. What I am asking – what I genuinely need – is your engagement. Attend a meeting. Participate in a town hall. Volunteer to mentor a new graduate. Share your ideas with me directly. Tell us what you wish the NYSSO would do and hold us accountable for doing it. My email is linked below.
We are at a moment in orthodontics where the profession is changing faster than any of us anticipated. The question is not whether change is coming. The question is whether we are shaping it together or reacting to it alone.
I believe we are stronger together. If you have not renewed yet, help me help you. Now is the time to join us. I believe this organization can be a genuine force for good in the professional lives of orthodontists across New York State. And I am grateful – more than I can adequately express – for the opportunity to help lead that effort.
Now, let’s get to work.
Leon Klempner. DDS
President, New York State Society of Orthodontists
LeonNYSSO@icloud.com
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