About Kari Hexem
Dr. Kari Hexem is a general dentist for both adults and children who is committed to patient-centered and trauma informed dentistry. She and her team built Philadelphia FIGHT’s dental program from the ground up, and she is passionate about the work she is doing to improve access to dental care for communities living with and at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
As a clinical researcher turned public health dentist, Dr. Hexem’s perspective when it comes to medical and dental healthcare environments is influenced by the fields of both medical anthropology and palliative medicine. In addition to her role at FIGHT, Dr. Hexem is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Community Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and is the Co-Course Director of the Dental Practice Management and Dental Public Health courses. Her most recent publication is “Effectiveness of Disease Prevention in Community Health Center Dental Programs” in Current Oral Health Reports, September 2017. View additional publications here.
In 2017, Dr. Hexem was recognized with the National Association of Community Health Centers’ Emerging Leader Award. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. She attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where she graduated with Honors in Community Oral Health. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology/Biostatistics from Oregon Health Sciences University. She is also a proud alumna of Reed College, where she received a BA in Cultural Anthropology.
Outside of the office, Dr. Hexem enjoys spending time with her young children and in her garden.
