Dr. Kersten is a Board-Certified Endodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, bringing unparalleled expertise and dedication to his field. With nearly six years as a Director of the Endodontic Program at Fort Bragg, NC, he trained over 25 endodontists and mentored more than 60 general dentists in the Army’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry programs, shaping the next generation of dental professionals.
Dr. Kersten graduated with honors in 1999 from St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN). In 2003, he earned his DDS degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry where he received several patient care awards, graduated near the top of his class and elected repeatedly as Class President.
Following his DDS, Dr. Kersten entered Active Duty and completed the U.S. Army’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program in 2004. He went on to complete his Endodontic Residency at Fort Bragg, NC in 2008. An accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Kersten is an Associate Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and has authored or co-authored over 20 publications in the esteemed Journal of Endodontics.
In recognition of his dedication to excellence, Dr. Kersten was named the U.S. Army Dental Educator of the Year in 2018, an honor given to only one dentist annually out of over 1,000 Army dentists. He also served as the U.S. Army Consultant in Endodontics to The Surgeon General and earned the prestigious “A”-Designator, awarded to the top 10% of clinicians. Upon retiring from the Army in 2023, Dr. Kersten was honored with the Legion of Merit award, a testament to his extraordinary leadership and service to our country.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Kersten is married to his college sweetheart, Gna, and is the proud father of Axel, Caroline, and Ella. He enjoys skiing, camping, and creating cherished memories with his family.