Before Dr. Ron Kampas was helping children gain confidence through healthy smiles, he was delivering nearly 200 copies of The Pittsburgh Press each day. The evening paper kept him busy after school, with early Sunday mornings added to the routine.
Kampas grew up in West View, near Pittsburgh, and later moved to the Seneca Valley School District during high school. Today, he lives in Adams Township, about five minutes from his main office, serving families across southern Butler County.
As a teenager growing up in Western Pennsylvania, Kampas learned early the value of hard work — pumping gas, flipping burgers at Dairy Queen, and working overnight shifts in his father’s trucking garage that sometimes began at 1 a.m., followed by school just hours later. Those long days, he says, shaped the work ethic that still defines his orthodontic practice today.
Now the owner of Kampas Orthodontics, Kampas continues to mark National Children’s Dental Health Month the same way he has for decades: by showing up for the community.
After college, Kampas initially worked in microbiology at a pharmaceutical research facility. It didn’t take long for him to realize advancement would be limited without a Ph.D. That realization brought him back to a middle school dream — dentistry — prompting him to apply to dental school and ultimately pursue orthodontics.
A Calling That Started with Braces
Kampas’ interest in orthodontics began in eighth grade, when he received his first set of braces. With a mother who worked as a nurse and a father who owned his own business, healthcare and entrepreneurship were part of daily life — but orthodontics, in particular, stuck.
He went on to study at Michigan State University for his undergraduate degree before earning his dental degree at the University of Michigan. Today, he operates three offices, with his main location along the Route 228 corridor, serving families across southern Butler County and beyond.
Reaching Thousands of Kids — One Classroom at a Time
During National Children’s Dental Health Month and throughout the year, Kampas and his team visit schools across the region, delivering age-appropriate dental health presentations to students from kindergarten through elementary grades.
Mars Area Primary Center school nurse Amy Rodgers said Dr. Kampas’ annual visits leave a lasting impression on students.
Rodgers said she has noticed a clear change in student awareness following the visits.
“After Dr. Kampas’s presentations, students who come to the health office show a noticeably greater awareness of keeping their teeth clean,” she said. “Some even ask for toothbrushes after lunch so they can prevent cavities.”
She added that every child receives a dental kit — including a toothbrush, toothpaste, flossers, and a two-minute timer — helping reinforce those habits at home.
Rodgers said Kampas uses videos, demonstrations, and interactive questions to keep young learners engaged, while supporting the district’s School Wellness Policy by promoting healthy lifestyles that improve readiness to learn.
One moment that stands out, she said, is when Kampas asks students to smile at one another.
“He explains how a simple smile can brighten someone’s day,” Rodgers said. “Watching the students light up shows the meaningful impact of his message.”
This school year alone, Kampas estimates his team will reach about 4,200 students across seven school districts, along with parochial schools and several day cares. Those districts include Mars, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Slippery Rock, Grove City, Riverside, and Ellwood City.
Over the course of his career, Kampas estimates he has reached more than 100,000 students through school-based dental education.
Asked what he hopes parents take away from Dental Health Month, Kampas said it comes down to consistency.
“Good habits started early can give a lifetime of benefits,” he said.
“The feedback from parents is incredible,” Kampas said. “They’ll tell me they’ve been reminding their kids to brush their teeth forever, but once we come in with a toothbrush and a timer, the kids get excited. Suddenly, it clicks.”
The presentations are tailored to each grade level and use videos, slides, and interactive elements designed to meet students where they are — and yes, they often come with memorable moments.
“I learned quickly that if you ask elementary kids if they have questions, they’re going to tell you about a wiggly tooth,” Kampas said with a laugh. “So now I remind them that a question has an answer.”
Making Care Easier for Working Families
Beyond education, Kampas has built his practice around removing barriers for families. One of the most appreciated services is a free patient shuttle that picks children up from school, brings them to appointments, and returns them — with real-time text updates sent to parents.
“It saves parents from leaving work and helps teachers avoid classroom disruptions,” Kampas explained. “It’s just a way to respect people’s time.”
The practice also offers free custom mouthguards for young athletes each summer, using digital scans and 3-D printing technology to create personalized protection for sports like football and lacrosse. Kampas estimates his team produces between 100 and 200 mouthguards annually.
A Philosophy of Care — Not Pressure
Despite seeing 60 to 80 patients a day, four days a week, Kampas operates as a solo orthodontist with a 10-person team rotating among offices. He describes the practice as intentionally mid-sized — large enough to serve the community well, but small enough to remain personal.
That philosophy is echoed by longtime staff members Nicole Boots and Joelene Adams.
Boots, the practice’s appointment coordinator, has worked alongside Kampas for nearly 12 years.
“We’re like a family here,” she said. “Everyone gets along, and he’s fabulous to work for. I love seeing the confidence he gives kids by changing their smiles.”
Adams, a treatment coordinator who has been with the practice for 13 years, said Kampas leads by example.
“He’s a great role model and always has the patient’s best interest at heart,” Adams said. “I’ve been here so long that I can almost anticipate his next steps.”
Adams said Kampas’ school visits help reduce anxiety for young patients and educate families about early orthodontic care.
“Kids meet him in a familiar setting first,” she said. “So when they come into the office, there’s no pressure. He makes sure they’re comfortable and keeps things simple.”
Both employees also highlighted Kampas’ school shuttle service, which transports students to appointments during the school day and keeps parents informed through real-time text updates — a service they say has become a lifeline for many working families.
His guiding philosophy is simple: don’t over-treat.
“We probably have just as many patients in observation as we do in treatment,” he said. “Parents want to know if orthodontics is truly necessary — and when the timing is right. Not everyone needs to start immediately.”
The Real Reward
For Kampas, the most meaningful moments don’t come from numbers or schedules — they come from transformation.
“You take a kid who’s shy or embarrassed to smile,” he said, “and when treatment is done, you see their personality change. That confidence can be life-changing.”
During National Children’s Dental Health Month, Kampas says the focus remains the same as it always has been: education, access, and care rooted in community.
After all, for someone who once delivered the morning paper before sunrise, showing up has never been optional — it’s just part of the job.
Families interested in Kampas’ school programs, youth mouthguard clinics, or orthodontic services can learn more by contacting his office directly.
