LEADERSHIPGDA Meet the Leadership GDA
Class of 2025
Each year, the Georgia Dental Association welcomes a new class of dentists from across the state to participate in Leadership GDA, a program designed to cultivate leadership potential and foster professional growth within Georgia’s dental community.
The Class of 2025 has a shared commitment to service, collaboration and excellence, and are poised to help shape the future of the profession in Georgia. We invited them to share a bit about themselves and refl ect on what leadership means to them.
Dr. Ali Azadi Canton Orthodontics at Roswell— Eastern District Dental Society
Aſt er a childhood of challenging dentistry and a fortune cookie that said
“my greatest strength lies in aiding others”, I knew at the age of fi ve that I wanted to make dentistry a positive experience for other people. Aſt er attending Georgia Tech for undergrad where I met my wife, Kelsey, and then continuing to the Dental College of Georgia for both my dental degree and Orthodontic certifi cate, I am fi nally getting to live my dream at my practice serving my community as an Orthodontist! In my free time, I enjoy swimming, volunteering, building plastic model kits, and running (or at least trying to run, haha!) I view a leader as someone who strives
to serve others- uniting in a team eff ort in pursuit of a common good. I believe a great leader is someone who constantly strives to place the needs of others before their own- serving with compassion and empathy in pursuit of a greater unifi ed goal. A full life is one that is spent with others and achieves something positive that lasts- this is a goal that cannot be accomplished alone, and thus, I feel a leader is someone who takes the time to connect with others in a true, meaningful way and aids them in whatever manner they can. I believe it is our duty as dentists
44 | Sept 2025
to put forth tireless eff ort into serving our communities, teams, and the world around us in pursuit of a better tomorrow.
Dr. Tristen Bennett Dental Associates of Dublin—Central District Dental Society
From a young age, I have always enjoyed the outdoors and working
with my hands. As I got older, I was intrigued by the idea of combining my love for medicine with the ability to use my hands everyday. Dentistry has been the perfect combination of my passions. What draws me to dentistry is the same
thing that draws me to leadership. T e opportunity to make a meaningful impact on others. Whether it’s helping a patient smile again for the fi rst time in years or mentoring a team member to reach a new milestone in their career, each moment presents a chance to inspire growth and confi dence. True leadership is about empowering
others. It’s about creating the kind of environment where people can discover the best version of themselves. One that encourages continuous improvement, resilience, and the courage to aim higher. T e ultimate goal is not to lead indefi nitely, but to build a foundation strong enough that others can build upon it, even surpass it. Dentistry
is a remarkable profession where collaboration and mentorship can liſt both our patients and our peers.
Dr. Crystal Fuller Ideal Dental—Central District Dental Society
My earliest science fair projects were all about teeth, though I didn’t recognize dentistry as my
calling until college. As a teenager, I looked up to my dentist, the fi rst female dentist I had ever met at that point, and that early exposure planted a quiet but lasting seed. Looking back, I can see how moments of encouragement and representation helped shape my path. Now, as the fi rst doctor in my family, I have come to value the intersection of service, creativity, and connection in my work. Dentistry allows me to blend my love for art and science while helping people feel seen, confi dent, and cared for. Outside of work, I prioritize staying spiritually grounded and physically active through walks, runs, and time in nature. I enjoy reading thrillers, watching Disney fi lms, traveling the world, visiting theme parks, and exploring creative outlets like writing, interior design, and photography. I also love spending time with my family in Macon, Georgia, where my roots continue to ground me. Leadership, to me, is about more than
holding a title or making decisions. It is about modeling consistency, character, and compassion in every setting. A strong leader is someone who listens before they speak, serves alongside those they lead, and creates a culture of belonging and trust. True leadership requires courage, humility, and a willingness to grow. It means showing up even when it is hard, standing fi rm in your values, and using your infl uence to elevate others. I believe leadership is about building something that lasts and impacting people in a way that encourages them to lead with purpose too.
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