Get to Know Your PDA Board of Trustees
David Schimmel , DMD
Seventh District Trustee
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 ?
When I was younger , I disliked going to the dentist . I wanted to play for the New York Yankees . After reality set in , I made the decision that I wanted to work in a health care field that would help decrease the fears and the stigmas about dentistry for the next generation .
What motivated you to pursue a career in organized dentistry ?
When I first started in practice I was busy getting the office going and raising my small children . I realized that organized dentistry was important but it would have to wait until I had more time to dedicate to this important cause .
When and where did you attend dental school ?
I attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine . I did enjoy dental school and I am very thankful for my time there . Go Pitt !
Where do you currently practice ?
I have a solo general practice in State College . It has been a great place to practice and raise a family . The patients value their overall health here and the academic atmosphere of the university brings diversity to my practice .
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing dentistry as a profession ?
Intrusion into the doctor patient relationship . Mostly insurance issues , but also regulatory statutes that are meant to help .
What do you believe is the most challenging issue facing organized dentistry ?
Membership has been declining locally and nationally . Nonmembers are not aware of all the work that is being done for the profession on many fronts , including government relations , insurance and regulations , to name a few . It is easy to take this for granted . I would not want to find out what would happen if our voice , as a group , went away .
What do you think is the single greatest achievement in dentistry over the past 150 years of PDA ’ s history ?
Bringing dentistry to a new level of professionalism .
Dr . Schimmel ’ s story , in his own words
I was born and raised in the Bronx , NY . Hence why I am a lifelong Yankee fan and my childhood ambition was to play for them . I have one sister who is a mental health counselor in Pittsburgh . I have been happily married to my best friend , Joanne for over 30 years . We have two sons , Joshua , 24 , who is an engineer for Delta Airlines and a part time employee of the Atlanta Falcons . Daniel , 22 , just graduated from the Berklee College of Music and is moving to Nashville to begin his music career . Anyone who has connections in the music industry there please let me know .
In my spare time I like to garden , read , play a poor game of tennis and go for hikes with my wife . In my community I was involved in coaching little league , cub scout den leader and serving on the troop committee . I have served on the local hospital ’ s head and neck tumor board since its inception . I also volunteer with Centre Volunteers in Medicine .
Name some fun / interesting things about yourself that others would be surprised to learn . I love to travel . Fortunately our son works for a major airline and his mother and I can now fly more frequently . I was a Boy Scout leader for many years , but I was surprised that not one scout ever attempted the dentistry merit badge . The stickball I played in the streets of New York actually came in handy when coaching little league .
Who was your greatest role model ? My father . He taught me to work hard to achieve my goals , that you should never give up .
What famous person would you most like to spend a day with ? I would like to spend some time with Albert Einstein understand how he approached problem solving techniques .
28 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL