Kimberly Harms, D.D.S. has been around the block when it comes to dentistry. She practiced dentistry in a public health setting (both state and national), as an associate and for most of her career as co-owner (with her husband Jim) of a private practice. She taught operative dentistry at Loyola University School of Dentistry for both the clinical and hospital dentistry programs.

Dr. Harms served as President of the Minnesota Dental Association and was Chair of the American Dental Association’s Council on Communications. She has received numerous awards including the Minnesota Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award, The American Student Dental Association’s Advocate of Excellence Award and the American Dental Association’s Access to Care Award. She has lectured both nationally and internationally and currently is working with dental schools in Rwanda and Mongolia.

For over 20 years Dr. Harms has served as a National Spokesperson and Consumer Advisor for the American Dental Association and has appeared on their behalf on the Today Show, CNN, Fox News, National Public Radio and network affiliates such as CBS, NBC and ABC. In addition she has been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Consumers Digest, Shape Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Buzz Feed, Cosmopolitan and numerous other print and internet publications. Kimberly was the author of an article featured in Northwest Dentistry that received the International College of Dentists award for Leadership in Journalism for 2016. 

Topics & Presentations:

Keeping out of Harm’s Way: Managing the Perils and Pitfalls of a life in Dentistry

Do you struggle with understanding your patients, planning for retirement and managing that pesky work/life balance? Do you find it difficult to convince your staff to enthusiastically accept and promote the goals of your clinic? Does the thought of managing a contract, keeping regulations straight and understanding employment law make your head spin? If the answer is yes to any of these questions we invite you to book this program. Our team approach will help you develop your skills in understanding your patients (Millenials through Baby Boomers) plan for a purposeful retirement, manage your way through life’s joys and sorrows, understand dental contract and employment law and effectively create a dental team that works together to accomplish your practice’s goals.

Trust: Your Most Important Clinical Asset

More than ever the dentist/patient relationship is being threatened. Governmental and insurance interference is on the rise and more and more patients are getting their dental information from internet sources. This seminar will help you understand the basic building blocks of trust, improve your trust building skills and learn what to do when things go wrong.

The Pain Wars: Acute vs Chronic

As dentists we are trained to manage acute pain, but frequently patients suffering chronic pain seek our help. This seminar is designed to help practitioners understand the differences between acute and chronic pain and learn how to manage both. With the increasing focus on the use of opioids in the dental practice, this information is essential for every staff member to understand

When the Pain is in the Brain: How to Encourage Patients and Staff Struggling with Emotional

Illness, Stress and Grief

Dental anxiety is an epidemic in today’s society. Stress levels are up and grief is unavoidable. Some of our patients suffer from a diagnosed mental illness. This seminar is designed to help the dental practitioner focus on the emotional needs of the patient attached to the tooth. It will also help to increase understanding of how to manage grief, stress and emotional issues that occur within the dental team.

To Floss or Not to Floss: That is the Question

In an era of easy website development and internet access, anyone can claim to be an expert in dentistry. Sometimes even traditional media stories can be confusing to our patients. This seminar is designed to help dental professionals educate their patients to critically analyze information they are receiving from media outlets. We will also discuss such timely topics as oil pulling, tooth regeneration and fecal bacteria on our toothbrushes.