ABP Diplomate Interview – Ellen Piehl Pearce, DMD, MS
Ellen Piehl Pearce, DMD, MS
2025 Salkin Award Winner
Dr. Leslie M. (Mike) Salkin served as a Director of the American Board of Periodontology from 1995 to 2001. Following his last year as a Director, he returned every year to assist the Board on the Oral Examination as an Examiner until his death in November 2013. The Board established the Leslie M. Salkin Award to honor his many years of exceptional service to the ABP. The award is presented each year to the candidate who earns the highest score on the Oral Exam.
Tell us a little about yourself and your current practice?
I am originally from Pennsylvania and went to dental school at the University of Pittsburgh prior to moving to Texas for residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I moved to Connecticut after graduation and currently work in private practice and live on the shoreline. I am fortunate to work with three other periodontists who have been wonderful mentors as I begin my career.
When did you know you wanted to pursue a periodontal residency? What occurred that made you decide on this career path?
I was fortunate at Pitt to receive an excellent predoctoral periodontics education with a series of informative and engaging didactic courses and time spent assisting the residents during surgery. I realized quickly that the focus in periodontics on treating a disease process and saving natural teeth while working to restore function and esthetics suited my interests. I spent time shadowing in private practice and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in periodontics.
Why did you pursue board certification?
During residency, I understood that pursing board certification was an expectation. My education instilled in me the knowledge that it was an important step in my career which represents a commitment to a deep knowledge of the periodontal literature and the highest standard of care in our specialty. Board certification is a way of honoring the values and standards of our profession, and is a visible commitment to my patients, colleagues, and myself that I will continue to grow and uphold those values.
What is your view on professional excellence and how do you plan to maintain this throughout your career?
Professional excellence is not a single achievement but an ongoing standard that encompasses clinical expertise, professional integrity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. It means striving to deliver the highest quality of care to every patient while upholding the values of our profession. I believe excellence is sustained through continual growth – seeking out new knowledge, embracing advances in science and technology, and learning from both colleagues and patients. My personal commitment is to remain a student of periodontics throughout my career so that I can continue to evolve as a clinician, uphold the trust placed in me, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our field.
What are your professional goals for the next five to ten years?
I want to continue working in private practice, honing my clinical skills, setting roots in the area, and connecting with my patients and the surrounding dental community. I currently serve as the treasurer of the Connecticut Society of Periodontists and look forward to being more involved in organized dentistry to help advocate for our profession.
What is most useful for you as you start your practice?
As I begin my practice, the most useful resource for me is the ability to collaborate with my colleagues. Periodontics is not a profession practiced in isolation – it thrives on shared knowledge, open dialogue, and teamwork. I find tremendous value in being able to consult with my peers and mentors, learn from their experiences, and exchange perspectives that help me approach patient care more thoughtfully.
What makes your generation of periodontists unique?
I believe my generation of periodontists strikes a balance between honoring the legacy of the leaders who paved the way in the field of periodontics and embracing the innovations that are shaping our future. We are fortunate to have the foundational knowledge from decades of research which has set the standard of clinical excellence and patient-centered care. We have also grown up in an era of extremely rapid technological advancement. We will continue to navigate the integration of digital workflows and new materials in an increasingly connected world.
What motivates you in your career?
My primary motivator is the ability to make a real difference in patients’ lives – whether that’s by treating periodontal disease and helping to save their natural dentition, improving esthetics and their confidence to smile through soft tissue grafting, or restoring function with dental implants. The daily practice of periodontics presents an intellectual challenge that is also extremely motivating. Each patient brings a unique background and clinical situation which necessitate critical thinking and problem solving to deliver the highest quality care. Collaborating with and learning from my colleagues has also been extremely rewarding and has pushed me to continue to develop and improve my skills.
What do you think is different about the practice of periodontics today?
Well, today’s practice is all I have known! But I recognize how much the field of periodontics has evolved over time. Today’s practice is defined by advanced technology, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration which allows us to deliver a consistently high level of care. We practice in an increasingly digital era of transparency and connectivity where knowledge is nearly instantly shared and patients are more informed and engaged. I am excited about what the future brings!
Ellen Piehl Pearce, DMD, MS
2025 Salkin Award Winner
Dr. Leslie M. (Mike) Salkin served as a Director of the American Board of Periodontology from 1995 to 2001. Following his last year as a Director, he returned every year to assist the Board on the Oral Examination as an Examiner until his death in November 2013. The Board established the Leslie M. Salkin Award to honor his many years of exceptional service to the ABP. The award is presented each year to the candidate who earns the highest score on the Oral Exam.
Tell us a little about yourself and your current practice?
I am originally from Pennsylvania and went to dental school at the University of Pittsburgh prior to moving to Texas for residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I moved to Connecticut after graduation and currently work in private practice and live on the shoreline. I am fortunate to work with three other periodontists who have been wonderful mentors as I begin my career.
When did you know you wanted to pursue a periodontal residency? What occurred that made you decide on this career path?
I was fortunate at Pitt to receive an excellent predoctoral periodontics education with a series of informative and engaging didactic courses and time spent assisting the residents during surgery. I realized quickly that the focus in periodontics on treating a disease process and saving natural teeth while working to restore function and esthetics suited my interests. I spent time shadowing in private practice and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in periodontics.
Why did you pursue board certification?
During residency, I understood that pursing board certification was an expectation. My education instilled in me the knowledge that it was an important step in my career which represents a commitment to a deep knowledge of the periodontal literature and the highest standard of care in our specialty. Board certification is a way of honoring the values and standards of our profession, and is a visible commitment to my patients, colleagues, and myself that I will continue to grow and uphold those values.
What is your view on professional excellence and how do you plan to maintain this throughout your career?
Professional excellence is not a single achievement but an ongoing standard that encompasses clinical expertise, professional integrity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. It means striving to deliver the highest quality of care to every patient while upholding the values of our profession. I believe excellence is sustained through continual growth – seeking out new knowledge, embracing advances in science and technology, and learning from both colleagues and patients. My personal commitment is to remain a student of periodontics throughout my career so that I can continue to evolve as a clinician, uphold the trust placed in me, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our field.
What are your professional goals for the next five to ten years?
I want to continue working in private practice, honing my clinical skills, setting roots in the area, and connecting with my patients and the surrounding dental community. I currently serve as the treasurer of the Connecticut Society of Periodontists and look forward to being more involved in organized dentistry to help advocate for our profession.
What is most useful for you as you start your practice?
As I begin my practice, the most useful resource for me is the ability to collaborate with my colleagues. Periodontics is not a profession practiced in isolation – it thrives on shared knowledge, open dialogue, and teamwork. I find tremendous value in being able to consult with my peers and mentors, learn from their experiences, and exchange perspectives that help me approach patient care more thoughtfully.
What makes your generation of periodontists unique?
I believe my generation of periodontists strikes a balance between honoring the legacy of the leaders who paved the way in the field of periodontics and embracing the innovations that are shaping our future. We are fortunate to have the foundational knowledge from decades of research which has set the standard of clinical excellence and patient-centered care. We have also grown up in an era of extremely rapid technological advancement. We will continue to navigate the integration of digital workflows and new materials in an increasingly connected world.
What motivates you in your career?
My primary motivator is the ability to make a real difference in patients’ lives – whether that’s by treating periodontal disease and helping to save their natural dentition, improving esthetics and their confidence to smile through soft tissue grafting, or restoring function with dental implants. The daily practice of periodontics presents an intellectual challenge that is also extremely motivating. Each patient brings a unique background and clinical situation which necessitate critical thinking and problem solving to deliver the highest quality care. Collaborating with and learning from my colleagues has also been extremely rewarding and has pushed me to continue to develop and improve my skills.
What do you think is different about the practice of periodontics today?
Well, today’s practice is all I have known! But I recognize how much the field of periodontics has evolved over time. Today’s practice is defined by advanced technology, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration which allows us to deliver a consistently high level of care. We practice in an increasingly digital era of transparency and connectivity where knowledge is nearly instantly shared and patients are more informed and engaged. I am excited about what the future brings!