Early Career Dentists

The IDA and ADA provide many valuable resources for early career dentists - those less than 10 years out of dental school - to succeed in their practice and to interact with other early career dentists.

The ADA offers multiple resources and tools to guide you through your career. Get information on salary negotiating, compensation calculating, choosing a career path, and more. 

The IDA has ways for you to get involved through multiple committees, helping to advocate for the profession and your patients, and networking opportunities. .

IDA New Dentist Committee

Any IDA member who graduated from dental school in or after 2017 is welcome to join the New Dentist Committee. The purpose of the committee is to advise the IDA Board of Trustees on matters relating to early career dentists. New Dentist Committee co-Chair, Dr. Zach Johnson, is a voting member on the IDA Board of Trustees.

What the New Dentist Committee Does

Engage early career dentists in organized dentistry.
Engagement has a variety of meanings. From lending your experience and perspective during committee meetings to leadership opportunities within your district dental society, IDA, and ADA, the New Dentist Committee allows you to engage on your terms.

Connect with students.
Engaging with dental students is an important investment in the future of the dental profession. The New Dentist Committee co-Chairs, Dr.  Zach Johnson (Lenox) and Dr. Carter Coppinger (Earlham) are committed to engaging the students by:

  • Supporting the Iowa Chapter of the American Student Dental Association Vendor Fair.
  • Being a guest/panelist during dental school courses.
  • Participating in National Signing at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.

Prior to each New Dentist Committee meetings is an information/educational session held on a variety of topics.  Below is a listing of the meeting dates and topics for 2026-2027:

  • Monday, August 10, 2026, Student Loan Update
  • Monday, November 16, 2026, ADA Update with Dr. Sara Stuefen
  • Monday, January 11, 2027, Practice Funding Streams with Ethan Pitt, Iowa Area Development
  • Monday, April 19, 2027, Insurance contract with Adam Freed and Katie Cownie, Dorsey & Whitney Law Firm

For more information or to join the IDA New Dentist Committee contact Kara Bylund at IDA.