The Florida Dental Association (FDA) recognized Dr. Daniel J. Gesek Jr., as Dentist of the Year at the 2022 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Congratulations, Dan!
Dr. Gesek has served as a leader in organized dentistry at the national, state and local levels. In addition to serving on both the FDA and the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates, he has served on the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure and FDA Council on Communications, helping lead key policy changes in these roles. Dr. Gesek was also appointed to the Florida Board of Dentistry, where he served from 2007-2015.
Dr. Gesek was also named 2022-2023 Secretary of the FDA, which will lead to him becoming president of the association in 2026.
In addition to these leadership roles, Dr. Gesek served as the chair of the 2021 Florida Mission of Mercy held in Jacksonville. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gesek successfully led the first large-scale, post-pandemic Mission of Mercy event in the nation, which provided 1,000 patients in need with $1.6 million worth of donated dental care.
“Dr. Gesek has been influential in the safe and effective practice of dentistry in Florida and throughout the nation,” said Drew Eason, CEO and executive director of the FDA. “He exemplifies the Dentist of the Year award through his leadership in the dental profession, as well as his dedication to helping thousands of Floridians receive critical dental care through the Florida Mission of Mercy.”
Dr. Gesek grew up in Olean, New York and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1991. He went on to study Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Washing Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., completing his residency in 1995. Dr. Gesek is now a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing in Jacksonville, where he resides with his wife Stacy and their three children.