Kimberly Carstens ’16, DDS, is a second-generation Panther and owner of Family Dental Care of Massapequa. She chose Adelphi for its dual degree dentistry program and family legacy—and now leads a thriving practice. Her advice to students: follow your goals with clarity, intention and pride in your roots.
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10
Owner and lead dentist at Family Dental Care of Massapequa
Kimberly Carstens ’16, DDS, is the owner and lead dentist at Family Dental Care of Massapequa, a long-standing private practice with deep ties to the community. A proud Adelphi alumna—and a second-generation Panther—Kimberly followed in the footsteps of both her parents, who also attended Adelphi. Their positive experiences gave her the confidence to choose the University, making her a legacy student and continuing a family tradition of Panther pride.
Kimberly’s path to dentistry was clear from the beginning. She chose Adelphi for its unique dual degree BS/DDS program with NYU College of Dentistry, which allowed her to begin dental school in 2015 while completing her undergraduate studies. She earned her DDS in 2019 and completed her residency at Nassau University Medical Center during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—an experience that taught her resilience and sharpened her clinical skills in real-time crisis conditions.
After taking time for maternity leave, Kimberly joined a private practice in Massapequa, where she further developed both her technical expertise and business acumen. In 2024, she purchased the practice and became its sole owner, leading a team of nine and continuing a 30-year legacy of patient care. She now balances the demands of practice ownership with the joys of raising two young children and sharing life with her husband of six years.
At Adelphi, Kimberly found not only academic support but opportunities that shaped her journey—such as a statistics project combining dentistry and data, which she presented at a national conference. She credits the University with offering a strong foundation, financial support and a deeply personal connection to her family’s story.
Her advice to students: “Set your sights on a goal and build your path with intention. Clarity gives you the confidence to move forward.”