Kalispell dentist David Keim has accrued a lot of accolades during his career.

He has been lieutenant commander of the U.S. Public Health Service at the Blackfeet Community Hospital in Browning and served as a member of the Montana Dental Association’s Board of Directors as vice president and president-elect. He was president of the First District Dental Society and is a member of several other dental colleges.

Now, thanks to the votes of other members of the Montana Dental Association, Keim is president of the 650-member organization.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” he said. “One thing you do is get to learn about other states’ associations. We got to go over to Washington state to talk to them about issues and learn. We did the same thing with Idaho. It helps develop leadership.”

Keim has practiced general dentistry in Kalispell since 2006.

He is one of the founding volunteers of the Shepherd’s Hand Dental Clinic, helps lead Project Homeless Connect and Sealants for Smiles. He also provides care for Flathead County jail patients, special needs and nursing homes patients, for which he has received national recognition from the American Dental Association.

“The thing that has been most remarkable to me is how warm and friendly the state’s dental community has been,” he said. “I basically serve as a conduit between the dentists and the dental hygienists and the boards of health.”

Keim also serves on the Flathead County Community Health Clinic board, has served on the Daybreak Rotary board and is a climb coordinator for the Glacier Mountaineering Society.

While spare time is at a minimum, he still appreciates when he can work with other local dentists.

“I feel really good about the dental community in the valley,” Keim said. “I like to express our cohesiveness with other communities in the state. I think we reflect just how good this valley is.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.