Dr. Kinga’s Story

A Conversation with Scholarship Winner Dr. Kinga Dabek 

When Dr. Kinga graduated from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in May 2025, she wasn’t just checking off a career goal; she was stepping into a lifelong calling. Now completing a General Practice Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, Kinga sees eight to ten patients a day, handles hospital calls, and treats a wide range of medically complex cases, including implants and periodontal surgeries. Her broad scope allows her to be the kind of general dentist who can manage multiple needs in one visit—something her patients deeply appreciate. 

Kinga’s care extends far beyond the dental chair. She’s passionate about serving patients with special needs, many of whom are unable to tolerate traditional dental settings, and coordinates ongoing care with group homes and foster programs to ensure continuity and dignity for every patient. A first-generation American from Poland, Kinga champions culturally competent care through her volunteer work with Smiles of Solidarity and school-based dental programs. During the Ukraine crisis, she also joined relief efforts to support families in need. 

Kinga’s mission is to make oral health more accessible, especially by bridging the gap between medical and dental care. She believes in clear, compassionate communication that empowers patients to make small changes with a big impact.  

Learn more about Kinga’s journey and the impact she’s making. Read her interview with DTA’s Managing Director, Jackie Michaels below.  

DTA Foundation’s Managing Director, Jackie Michaels:   “What is your favorite part about being a dentist?”  

Dr. Kinga Dabek:  “Dentistry lets me return function and confidence in the same visit—and it invites real conversations. A ‘tooth problem’ can open a door to preventive care, mental well-being, and trust. The best days are when a patient smiles not only because they’re out of pain, but because they feel seen.”  

DTA Foundation’s Managing Director, Jackie Michaels:  “Why should we consider oral health as a part of overall health?”  

Dr. Kinga Dabek:  “Oral health is health. If we separate the mouth from the body, we miss the diagnosis and the person. Preventive dental care is not only more affordable than emergency treatment, but it also strengthens long-term health outcomes and reduces disparities. By integrating dentistry with primary care and ensuring patients have access to education and navigation, we can move from a reactive system to one that is proactive, cost-effective, and equitable. This is the future of healthcare leadership.”  

DTA Foundation’s Managing Director, Jackie Michaels:  “Can you tell me about a patient who shaped my approach going forward?”  

Dr. Kinga Dabek:  “One patient who impacted the way I provide care is a young adult with special needs who required full-mouth treatment under general anesthesia. For months, their family struggled to find providers who could care for them. In the clinic, I became their point of care—coordinating with anesthesia, performing comprehensive treatment in the OR setting, and reassuring the family that their loved one’s needs would finally be met. The gratitude on their faces reminded me that dentistry is not just clinical; it’s about trust, advocacy, and creating access.”  

DTA Foundation’s Managing Director, Jackie Michaels:  “How is the work of the non-profit you co-founded, Smiles of Solidarity, continuing today?  

Dr. Kinga Dabek:  “My journey continues with Smiles of Solidarity, the nonprofit I co-founded that focuses on oral health education and outreach in immigrant communities. This work remains very close to my heart. By partnering with schools and empowering families, we are not only treating immediate needs but also planting seeds for long-term health and equity. I believe that when patients understand their health and know how to access care, entire communities flourish. For me, this is only the beginning. Every patient, every classroom, and every moment of leadership is a step toward a more human-centered, flourishing model of healthcare. And I carry the DTA Foundation’s support with me as both an honor and a responsibility: to make sure the doors that opened for me continue opening for others.”  

Learn more about how you, too, can be an oral health trailblazer like Dr. Kinga Dabek: https://dtafoundation.org/apply/