The Dental Mediator Kim Harms

Major life events (such as death, divorce, and job loss) and even conflict can create feelings of shock, grief and leave us struggling to cope. These events have a significant effect on the dental team and our patients.

With 30-years in clinical dentistry and 21 years as a National Spokesperson for the American Dental Association, Kimberly Harms D.D.S. has seen the importance of positive communication, management of conflict and relationship building firsthand. Her goal is to help untangle problems and support those with grief issues by sharing that accumulated knowledge with seminar attendees.

Dr. Harms practiced dentistry as an enlisted officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, as a dental associate, and for most of her career as co-owner of a private practice in Farmington, MN. She developed a pilot project for the State of Minnesota to deliver care to developmentally disabled patients living in group homes which is still going strong 28 years later.

Dr. Harms was honored to serve as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the areas of operative and hospital dentistry at Loyola University Medical Center and School of Dentistry. Dr. Harms was the first woman president of the Minnesota Dental Association and served on the American Dental Association's Council on Governmental Affairs representing the 10th District. She was also Chair of the American Dental Association's Council on Communications. Dr. Harms has lectured internationally and has worked with dental schools in Mongolia and Rwanda and women's groups in Georgia and Armenia.

As National Spokesperson and Consumer Advisor for the American Dental Association, Dr Harms 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, Consumer's Digest, Buzz Feed, Shape Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and numerous other print and internet publications. Her article Keeping out of Harms’ Way: Pearls, Pitfalls and Lurking Perils of a Life in Dentistry received the International College of Dentists Leadership in Journalism Award for 2016.