As a young boy, Pulpdent Corporation founder Dr. Harold Berk quickly discovered his calling to help the less fortunate restore their smiles. He later pursued a dental degree, studying at the Forsyth Dental Infirmary in Boston, which focused primarily on the oral health needs of Boston’s disadvantaged children and provided advanced clinical training for graduate dentists. There, he developed a paste that would support the natural healing process for patients in the Bay State and around the world.  

That product was Pulpdent, a premixed calcium hydroxide paste used for treatments like pulp and root canal therapy. Dr. Berk began selling the product in 1947. Today, Pulpdent Corporation’s third generation, Leah Berk, Pulpdent Media and Communications Manager, and cousin Lewis Berk, Pulpdent Strategic Operations Manager, work with their family to continue a legacy that began over 70 years ago.

“Dr. Harold Berk was my grandfather, and company founder. Dr. Berk and Benjamin Rower started a company to manufacture and market the product known as Pulpdent Paste. The company name was eventually changed to the Pulpdent Corporation in honor of Dr. Berk’s original product.”

Leah Berk, Pulpdent Media and Communications Manager.

Today, the multi-million dollar company is a world leader in esthetic bioactive restorative dental materials. Leah, with the company four years, plays a significant role marketing the company’s wide array of award-winning products and its mission.

“My role is to create, package and distribute content for print and digital media channels. I help tell the story of Pulpdent, our products and the people who use them. One of the highlights of my job has been the opportunity to collaborate with practitioners and industry thought leaders to develop content pieces that educate and inspire clinicians.”  

Leah Berk, Pulpdent Media and Communications Manager.

She is not alone in her quest. Five family members also work to grow and manage the dental business in Watertown, Massachusetts as part of Pulpdent’s leadership team.

They include Dr. Harold Berk’s sons — the second generation — Ken, Fred and Don, and his grandchildren — the third generation — Lewis Berk, Strategic Operations Manager and Leah.

The Pulpdent family team thrives together; it’s no wonder why the company has continued to grow and provide dental products for industry professionals for nearly eight decades.

“We have two generations working together with complementary skill sets and are continuously learning from one another. The older generation has over 130 years of combined dental industry knowledge, while the younger generation has experience with newer technologies and social media. Having grown up together, we know what makes each of us “tick” and how to communicate effectively with one another.”

Leah Berk, Pulpdent Media and Communications Manager.

Family collaboration and company growth has enabled Pulpdent Corporation to add new and innovative products to its dental catalog. Most recently, the company has introduced the first light cure composite designed to mimic the properties of natural teeth: ACTIVA Presto.

ACTIVA BioACTIVE products help stimulate the formation of apatite (the building blocks of teeth), chemically bonds to teeth and help protect against decay. The products in this line are the first dental resins with a bioactive ionic resin matrix, shock-absorbing rubberized resin and reactive ionomer glass fillers. The material actively participates in cycles of ionic exchange, which helps tooth maintenance and oral health.

Learn more about the product line here.

How can a family business partnership thrive?

Leah shares advice for aspiring family partnership:

“Capitalize on each family member’s unique skills and experience. Have everyone play to their strengths and find ways to compensate for their weaknesses. Understand that what may be obvious to one family member may not make sense to someone else. Take the time to explain and re-explain your ideas and realize that it takes time for everyone, even family members, to assimilate new information.”

Leah Berk, Pulpdent’s Media and Communications Manager.

It also helps to spend time outside the office together.
Leah says she and her family have fun outside the dental industry. They often spend their summers together on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, swimming, boating, playing tennis and grilling.

“We all love to cook and often have potluck dinners together,” added Leah.

Want to learn more about ACTIVA BioACTIVE?

Contact your Friendly Benco Rep or visit Benco.com