Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Berk.
Leah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My grandfather, Dr. Harold Berk, was a dentist and professor at Tufts Dental School. Born in 1917 to a family of Eastern European immigrants, my grandfather’s studies brought him to the Forsyth Dental Infirmary in Boston, MA where he conducted research on the use of calcium hydroxide in vital pulp therapy. In 1947 my grandfather started a company to manufacture and market his recently developed Pulpdent Paste, a premixed calcium hydroxide paste still used by dentists worldwide today. The company was eventually called PULPDENT Corporation in honor of my grandfather’s original product.
In the 1970s, my father Fred Berk and two uncles, Ken and Don Berk, took over management and operations of the company. They grew a small, Boston-based dental supply company into a dental research and manufacturing organization that sells products all over the world. Nearly forty years later, my cousin Lewis Berk and I joined Pulpdent. We are the third generation to participate in the family business, and I am the first woman to join the Executive Team.
Has it been a smooth road?
My professional path is riddled with twists and turns. After studying comparative literature in college, I moved to Spain for two years where I worked as a program assistant for Boston University’s study abroad program in Madrid. Upon return to the United States in 2007, I tried my hand at a variety of professions before eventually landing on marketing and data analytics. In late 2015 my family approached me with a unique opportunity: to develop a comprehensive media strategy for the company to increase our online presence and allow us to connect with a new generation of dentists.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Pulpdent has always been guided by my grandfather’s “mission to save teeth and … help my patients live in comfort and smile with confidence.” We manufacture medical devices such as adhesives, composites (white dental fillings), and other types of restoratives and chemical products used by dentists and hygienists. We are a vertically integrated business that researches, develops, manufactures, packages, and distributes products from our headquarters in Watertown, MA. While we were originally known for products related to vital pulp therapy and root canal therapy, we long ago branched out into preventative products, restorative materials, and more. A series of innovations over a period of fifteen years culminated in 2013 with Pulpdent’s launch of ACTIVA BioACTIVE, a dental filling material that behaves much like natural teeth. The material is “bioactive,” meaning it stimulates the formation of apatite (the building blocks of teeth), chemically bonds to teeth, and helps seal them against decay. Unlike traditional dental fillings, which are passive and meant to fill up a space, bioactive materials actively interact with teeth to promote long term oral health.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Boston is a hub for healthcare innovation. It’s the perfect place for a research and manufacturing company like ours.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I owe my success in great part to my mentors. Throughout my career I have sought out experienced professionals who could share advice and constructive criticism. They provided additional insight into difficult situations and helped me manage challenges thoughtfully and effectively. My mentors have supported me emotionally as well as intellectually, helping me navigate the complex interpersonal relationships underlying each work environment.
Contact Info:
- Address: 80 Oakland St. Watertown, MA 02472
- Website: www.pulpdent.com
- Phone: 800-343-4342
- Email: feedback@pulpdent.com
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