We can do better.
As a dentist, educator, and coach, it’s blatantly apparent to me how backwards our health care system is. Too often we spend extraordinary amounts of time and money on alleviating the symptoms of disease instead of identifying and treating its root cause.
Oral health care is no exception, and that’s why it’s important to me that people understand WHY they have disease in their mouth. In almost every case, poor oral health is completely preventable. Oral disease also happens to be a pretty reliable indicator of systemic disease, and as a dentist, I’m not just interested in keeping mouths healthy. I want PEOPLE to be healthy. And that means taking the time to talk about ALL the aspects of a healthy life.
I’m a coach at heart, and I find great fulfilment in arming people with information that can make a difference in their lives. It’s my honor and privilege to be a trusted partner in a person’s wellness journey.
Dr. Kosten’s Bio
Dr. Kosten is a native of southern Illinois and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2002. After graduation, she became a high school chemistry teacher and coach at Edwardsville High School. Knowing she still had a desire to pursue a career in healthcare, Dr. Kosten returned to dental school and graduated summa cum laude with her DMD degree from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2009. Early in her career, Dr. Kosten served as the Dental Director for a non-profit pediatric dental clinic while continuing to treat patients in private general practice. In 2016, she returned to SIU School of Dental Medicine as faculty, where she currently serves as the Director of Community Dentistry and Clinical Assistant Professor in the section of Pediatric Dentistry. She is in private practice at Foley Dental Group in Glen Carbon, IL and Baines Dental Wellness in Springfield, IL, both of which are complete health practices where she treats adults and children. Most recently, Dr. Kosten committed to furthering her knowledge in the area of nutrition and complete health by enrolling in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She will graduate as a Certified Health Coach in 2024.
Dr. Kosten is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and is a past-president of the Madison District Dental Society. She currently serves on the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention. She is a member of the honorary dental fraternity Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was the recipient of the Illinois State Dental Society's 2017 William J. Greek Memorial Leadership Award. Dr. Kosten has been selected as a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Kosten is a wife, mom to three boys, and enjoys all the craziness and wonder that comes with it. In her free time, she loves fitness, officiating basketball, golfing, reading, and anything that gets her out into nature.