When Dylan Weber, DDS reflects on his career, he often jokes that he has three full-time jobs.
One is caring for patients. Another is mentoring and educating fellow clinicians as a Regional Clinical Leader for PDS Health’s Massachusetts Region. The third is serving the profession through organized dentistry.
Together, those commitments have earned him one of dentistry's highest honors for emerging leaders.
The American Dental Association has named Dr. Weber one of its 2026 “10 Under 10” honorees, recognizing just 10 early-career dentists nationwide for excellence in leadership, advocacy, clinical practice, research, education, philanthropy and service to the profession.
For Dr. Weber, the recognition represents more than an individual achievement.
"Being recognized by my colleagues and peers on the ADA New Dentist Committee is a tremendous honor that makes the early morning phone calls and late night meetings worthwhile," he said. "It absolutely takes a village to function at high levels of leadership. I wouldn't be able to do it without the support of my husband and team in the Massachusetts Region."
Leadership as Part of the Profession
For Dr. Weber, leadership has always been part of practicing dentistry.
His involvement in organized dentistry began while he was still in dental school, serving on the Board of Trustees for the American Student Dental Association. Since graduating in 2020, he has continued that commitment through the Massachusetts Dental Society, where he serves on the Board of Trustees, working alongside colleagues to advocate for the profession and help strengthen the future of oral healthcare.
"I don't know a career in practice without leadership in organized dentistry," Dr. Weber said. "Challenges and obstacles are better overcome when dentists come together to advocate for the health of our patients and the success of our practices, in all modalities."
That perspective has shaped the way he practices every day.
"I am a better provider to my patients because of the support I get through leadership and commitment to advancing our profession as a whole."
Exploring the Future of Patient Care
Dr. Weber's commitment to advancing dentistry also includes evaluating emerging technologies that have the potential to improve patient care.
As a participant in the Delta Dental of Massachusetts Healthy Body Enhanced Benefit Program, Dr. Weber is helping evaluate how saliva-based assessments and enhanced preventive benefits can support earlier identification of periodontal disease and more personalized care. The program reflects a shared commitment to exploring new approaches that strengthen patient engagement, support earlier intervention and advance the science behind the Mouth-Body Connection®.
"Saliva screening and similar point-of-care testing are revolutionizing the way we engage and educate our patients," he said. "aMMP-8 screening has given me an immediate snapshot of my patients' broader medical profile, allowing me to intervene earlier and more effectively treat the oral manifestations of systemic disease."
He also believes these technologies strengthen patient understanding of the Mouth-Body Connection®, helping patients better understand the relationship between oral health and overall health
"Through real-time results and interactive dashboards, patients develop a deeper understanding of the Mouth-Body Connection®, improving compliance with home care and treatment completion, leading to better overall health outcomes. Being a part of a program focused on enhancing payer benefits through patient-centric technology is an added bonus."
Leading the Next Generation
The ADA's 10 Under 10 Award recognizes clinicians who are helping shape the future of dentistry through leadership, service and innovation.
For Dr. Weber, leadership means creating opportunities for the profession to grow together.
"The dental profession is multifaceted, and it takes every provider in every modality to care for the diversifying needs of our patients," he said. "Impactful leadership is recognizing we need all of us to advocate for the ability for dentists to care for our patients and improve the overall health of the public."
His advice to other early-career dentists is straightforward.
"Stay involved, whatever that involvement looks like for you. I can confidently say I am a better provider and leader within my office because I have pushed myself to stay involved and expand my leadership capacity."
A Well-Deserved Honor
At PDS Health, we are proud to support clinicians like Dr. Weber who choose to lead beyond their practices, contribute to organized dentistry and advance the future of oral healthcare. His recognition by the American Dental Association reflects not only his commitment to clinical excellence, but also his dedication to strengthening the profession for colleagues, patients and the communities they serve.
Congratulations to Dr. Dylan Weber on this well-deserved national recognition.
