Einstein General Dental Newsletter

Einstein Healthcare Network
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road | Philadelphia, PA 19141
Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental Medicine
General Dental News
ISSUE ONE | SUMMER 2021
The Best of Both Worlds
“
Smaller Patients Provide Biggest Reward for Dr. Douglas Reich
Avid salt-water fisherman, father of three and grandfather
of four, Douglas Reich, DMD, has been practicing
and teaching pediatric dentistry in the Philadelphia
area for 40+ years and says, “I can’t imagine doing
anything else.” Not bad considering Dr. Reich’s
inspiration for attending dental school came during
a trip to Europe with a group of friends in the summer
of 1972.
“That’s what everyone did after graduating from college
back then,” says Dr. Reich. “I had a lot of friends who
were going to dental school. It sounded like a great career
and something I’d like to do.”
More than 40 years
later, Dr. Reich still
loves his job.
Pediatric dentistry isn’t any more difficult than general practice dentistry. The teeth are smaller, the
patients are smaller, and you have to hear without hearing actual words. You must read behavior and
have a lot of empathy. But kids are so thankful and appreciative—it’s worth all the money in the world.”
— Dr. Douglas Reich
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Dr. Reich attended dental school at the University of
Pennsylvania where he was influenced by his mentors
and teachers to specialize in pediatrics. After completing
a residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he went
into private practice and later joined Einstein Healthcare
Network, where he has been Division Chair of Pediatric
Dentistry since 1986.
“Pediatric dentistry isn’t any more difficult than general
practice dentistry,” says Dr. Reich. “The teeth are smaller, the
patients are smaller, and you have to hear without hearing
actual words. You must read behavior and have a lot of
empathy. But kids are so thankful and appreciative—it’s
worth all the money in the world.”
Have exciting news to share?
Want to keep up with fellow Einstein
alumni? Or need to send us your
updated contact information?
Please drop a note to Fran Gress,
Manager of Annual Fund and Alumni
Relations at gressfra@einstein.edu
or call 215-456-6278. Or share your news
at advance.einstein.edu/alumni.
Congratulations to Einstein’s 2021 Top Dentists
Einstein Healthcare Network congratulates its 21 dentists selected
as 2021 Top Dentists by Philadelphia magazine.
Cosmetic Dentistry:
Stephen Gershberg, DMD
Endodontics:
Benedict Bachstein, DMD
Frederic Barnett, DMD,
Chairman, Department
of Dental Medicine
Scott Levy, DDS
Louis Rossman, DMD
Todd Schultz, DMD
Boryana Stoyanova, DMD
Richard Titlebaum, DMD
General Dentistry:
Joel Davidson, DDS
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery:
David Guba, DMD
Orthodontics:
Steven Cohen, DMD, MSD
Charles Gemmi III, DMD
Peter Greco, DMD
Harold Middleberg, DMD
Kathleen Pale, DMD
Michael David Roth, DDS
Adam Weiss, DMD
Pediatric Dentistry:
Douglas Reich, DMD
Periodontics:
I. Stephen Brown, DDS
Miriam Ting, DMD
Prosthodontics
Andrew Halbert, DDS
Supporting Einstein Healthcare Network’s Department of Dental Medicine
Gifts to support Einstein Healthcare Network’s Maxwell S. Fogel Department
of Dental Medicine directly impact the training and well-being of our residents.
You may make your tax-deductible gift in support of the program by donating
online to Einstein’s General Practice Fund at advance.einstein.edu/alumni or
calling 215-456-6278.
Introducing
Einstein Alumni
Connect!
Now you have an easy way to
connect and reconnect with fellow
Einstein residency alumni.
Rediscover old friends, share
photos and stories, network for
jobs and internships or find talent,
there are plenty of reasons to
reach out to fellow Einstein alums.
Visit einstein.alumni.edu
and create your profile using
Facebook, LinkedIn, or email.
For more information or assistance,
please contact Fran Gress at
gressfra@einstein.edu.
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
General Dental News | Spring/Summer 2021
Einstein’s General Dental Practice residents with Dr. Dobrescu (center)
Banding Together and Prevailing
in the Face of a Pandemic
Residencies can make all the difference for dentists in the job market. The
additional training acquired in a one- or two-year residency ensures the dentist
is prepared to safely perform complex cases. It’s also a requirement to practice
in states such as New York and California.
So when COVID threatened to derail training for Einstein’s General Dental
Practice residents last spring, the Department sprang into action, doing all it
could to ensure their residents were properly prepared for future careers. From
March through May, residents and faculty donned PPE, put fears aside, and
diligently treated each dental emergency entering the clinic.
“Despite having the proper protection, we weren’t sure at first if it was enough
to keep us from getting sick,” admits Cristina M. Dobrescu, DDS. “Our comfort
level definitely grew with each week we remained healthy.” She laments the
residents couldn’t finish all the cases in their care but is grateful the clinic could
at least remain partially open for the sake of trainees and patients.
By July, with increased understanding for the virus and decreasing case
numbers, the clinic began to see more patients. It was back to full volume by
September. “We’re doing all the same procedures we did before COVID,”
explains Dr. Dobrescu. “The one main difference is we now allow 15 minutes
between patients so we can spend more time cleaning the room.” Teledentistry
has also been added for pre-visit consults.
For this year’s eight first-year residents who themselves lost clinic time due to
COVID, the increase in patient cases is welcome news. It’s a sentiment shared
by the program’s two second-year residents who value the opportunity to treat
complex cases and the practice’s long-term patients—many of whom are
Einstein employees.
“I know how valuable my residency experience was for me in securing a
position I love,” Dr. Dobrescu shares, “I’m honored to be able to provide these
professionals with the same opportunity.”
People talk about
lucky breaks. For me,
my lucky break came
the day I applied
for a position with
Einstein’s Department
of Dental Medicine.
I had just completed
my residency and was
looking for a job in
private practice which would allow me to also
teach one day a week. When I was hired as
the Associate Program Director, the position
offered me everything I was seeking.
Now, as Residency Program Director, more
of my time is spent teaching. I enjoy working
with the residents and empowering them with
the newest dental techniques. I know when
they come to us, they are eager to learn. This
is particularly true of this year’s residents who
lost precious clinic time due to COVID. They
are very professional and hardworking and
always grateful at the end of the day.
As a clinician, I appreciate the freedom
Einstein offers me. I am not siloed into a
certain type of procedure, nor am I pressured
to meet a quota. Here, I can focus on what I
enjoy doing—implants and aesthetics—and
can take the time needed to provide a quality
outcome. What’s more, I practice with the
best team.
One thing that I love about Einstein is the fact
we are one big family. Many of our faculty
members were once Einstein residents
themselves. There’s a closeness that exists
here, and I think that makes us better
teachers and clinicians.
Within this inaugural issue of General Dental
News, you’ll have the opportunity to learn
about some of our team members and about
our response to the COVID pandemic. I hope
that you enjoy this issue and that you’ll reach
out to connect with us. Our alumni are always
welcome. Thank you for your support.
Cristina M. Dobrescu, DDS
Program Director
General Dental Practice Residency
Einstein Healthcare Network
917-325-6553 | DobrescC@einstein.edu

Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership
The Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental Medicine
From the time it was established, the Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental
Medicine has been setting the standard for excellence in dental education
and care. Central to this success are the countless faculty, students, and
alumni whose contributions have allowed us to grow and evolve as the times
and demands have changed. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude
to each of you for your hand in helping us achieve this milestone.
1921
Dr. Leon Levy (Chairman
1921 – 1926) establishes
an organized dental
department.
1926
Dr. Gustav Charles
Tassman named
Department
Chairman. Serves
until 1962.
Dr. Jack
Magill and Dr.
Maxwell Fogel
established the
Department’s
Orthodontic
Residency
Program.
1959
1963
Dr. I. B.
Bender named
Department
Chairman.
Serves until
1971.
Dr. Bender (seated)
with the Orthodontic
Residency
Program’s first
graduates Dr.
Melvin Silverman
and Dr. Alan
Borislow
Ten-chair Paley Building Dental Clinic
is dedicated.
Paley 1 Dental Clinic
1964
The Orthodontic
Residency Program
receives approval from
the American Dental
Association to initiate
training post-doctoral
orthodontic residents.
It’s the nation’s first
accredited, hospitalbased
orthodontic
program.
1966
Paley and Wolgin Buildings’ 2nd floor
Dental Center.
1972
Dr. Maxwell S. Fogel
named Department
Chairman. Serves
until 1978.
He also served as
Chairman of the Division
of Orthodontics (1952-78)
and Orthodontic Program
Director (1964-78).
Dr. I. B. Bender and Dr.
Samuel Seltzer receive
approval to initiate a twoyear
Endodontic Residency
Program. It’s the nation’s first
accredited, hospital-based
endodontic program.
Dr. Samuel Seltzer and
Dr. I.B. Bender
1985
After a successful
Capital Campaign,
the Department
moves to a new
20 operatory,
8,000-square-foot
Dental Center on
the 2nd floor of the
Paley and Wolgin
Buildings.
1980
Dr. Alan Borislow
appointed
Department’s first
full-time Chairman.
He serves in this
role until 2010
but continues as
Orthodontic Division
Chairman and
Residency Program
Director until 2014.
Dr. David August was
the first graduate of the
Endodontic Residency
Program in 1968.
1989
The “Campaign for Dentistry”
raises $1 million. Naming honorees
included: The Maxwell S. Fogel
Department of Dental Medicine,
The I. B. Bender Division of
Endodontics, The Phillip S. Kanev
Division of Restorative Dentistry,
and The Jack M. Magill Orthodontic
Clinical Facility.
Naming Honorees (from left),
Dr. Phillip Kanev, Dr. I.B. Bender,
Dr. Maxwell Fogel, and Dr. Jack Magill.
1993
1995
Dr. Maxwell S. Fogel is
the first dentist to receive
the Albert Einstein Society
Physician Leadership Award.
“A Tradition of
Excellence –
A History of the
Department of
Dental Medicine,
Albert Einstein
Medical Center
and its Predecessor
Institutions,
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,” is published. It’s
authored by Dr. Milton B. Asbell and
Dr. Alan J. Borislow. Funding is provided
by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Greenblatt in
memory of Dr. Jacob P. Morrison.
2002
Dr. Alan J. Borislow
is only the second
dentist to receive
the Albert Einstein
Society Physician
Leadership Award in
the Society’s 35-year
history.
2007
2009
2 3
2010
Orthodontic clinical facility
renovation, funded by
Orthodontic Resident
alumni and faculty.
Dr. Alan Borislow,
Dr. Michael Roth, Beth
Duffy, Vice President,
Albert Einstein Medical
Center, and Dr. Harold
Middleberg.
General Practice clinical facility
renovation, significantly funded
by alumni and faculty.
Dr. Nina Ghobadi, Susan
Bernini, COO, Albert
Einstein Health Network,
Dr. Frederic Barnett, and
Dr. Andrew Halbert.
2011
Endodontic clinical facility renovation,
funded by Endodontic Residency alumni
and faculty.
Gary Cohen, Dept. Administrator,
Dr. Frederic Barnett, Dr. Peter Brothman
and Dr. Alan Borislow
In recognition of his 30 years of service as
Chairman of the Department, Einstein Medical
Center Philadelphia announces the naming of the
Alan J. Borislow Division of Orthodontics.
Dr. Frederic
Barnett, Dr Alan
Borislow, and
Susan Bernini.
2011
Dr. Frederic
Barnett appointed
Chairman of the
Department while
continuing to serve
as Chairman and
Residency Program
Director of the I.B.
Bender Division of
Endodontics.
To be continued
in our next issue.
Tell us your Einstein
“Dental 100” story!
Looking for then and now tales
and photos to feature in our
“100 Years of Smiles” social
media campaign!
Visit advance.einstein.edu/
Dental100.
Dr. Javier Ambriz is
Pursuing a Surgical Edge
Born in Mexico and raised in Phoenix,
Arizona, Javier Ambriz, DMD, is currently
in his second year of residency at Einstein
Healthcare Network where he is Co-Chief
Resident of the Maxwell S. Fogel Department
of Dental Medicine’s General Practice
Residency Program.
“I wanted to become a dentist so I could help
people,” says Dr. Ambriz. “Getting dental care
was a challenge for my family and I wanted to
change that. I came to Philadelphia to attend
dental school at the University of Pennsylvania,
then I matched for a one-year residency at
Einstein. I liked it so much I decided to stay
for another year to get more exposure to the
surgical aspects of dentistry.”
Dr. Ambriz finds working as Co-Chief of the
residency program especially beneficial.
“We follow a private practice model,” he
explains. “I learn a lot performing advanced
dental procedures, creating complex treatment
plans and teaching the first-year residents,
which I find very fulfilling.”
Though this year has been a bit more
challenging due to COVID-19, Dr. Ambriz says
the residents really appreciate the program
director’s help in keeping everyone safe.
“It was kind of scary at first, but we just
take proper precautions to lower the risk of
transmission,” says Dr. Ambriz. “People still
need dental care even during a pandemic.”
Between the residency program and his
15-month-old son, Dr. Ambriz doesn’t have a
lot of free time — “it’s all fillings and diapers
right now.” When he does find a little free time,
he enjoys working out, travelling, and visiting
friends. He also really likes watching movies.
“Some of our residents this year are movie
buffs so it’s fun discussing movies with them
and hearing their recommendations,” says
Dr. Ambriz.
Spring/Summer 2021 | General Dental News
Dr. Ambriz shares
that it was his
experiences as a
youth that led him
to dentistry..
Dr. Mazor, pictured here with his wife, describes coming back to
Philadelphia as a “dream come true.”
Broad Spectrum of Knowledge
Connects Dr. David Mazor with Patients
Dr. David Mazor, DMD, fell in love
with Philadelphia while attending
dental school at the University of
Pennsylvania and says returning to
do a second-year residency at Einstein
Healthcare Network is a dream
come true.
“Einstein has a really strong program,”
explains Dr. Mazor. “I completed my
first-year residency in New York but
wanted to further expand my clinical
skills and experience. There is so
much to learn in general dentistry,
we’re basically licensed to do all
aspects of dentistry including things
specialists do.”
“
The holistic aspect
of patient care is
really enforced here
at Einstein. “We get
to know our patients
and identify their
needs. I’m really
embracing this
philosophy and it’s
the most rewarding
aspect of what I do.”
—David Mazor, DMD
Originally from Miami, Dr. Mazor
earned his undergraduate degree in
Near Eastern studies. He says having this non-science related breadth
of knowledge has been helpful when connecting with patients.
“The holistic aspect of patient care is really enforced here at Einstein,”
says Dr. Mazor. “We get to know our patients and identify their needs.
I’m really embracing this philosophy and it’s the most rewarding
aspect of what I do.”
Dr. Mazor is also Co-Chief Resident of the Maxwell S. Fogel
Department of Dental Medicine’s General Practice Residency
Program, which he says is giving him a wide range of experience
through more complicated cases, instructing first-year colleagues, and
aiding with interviews for the next class of residents.
He plans to practice general dentistry and remain in the Philadelphia
area with his wife, whom he met while in his first year at Penn.
“I love spending my free time with my wife,” says Dr. Mazor, who is an
avid reader and enjoys playing board games. “We both love cooking
and we’ve embraced it even more since restaurants were closed
during the pandemic. We also enjoy travelling but that’s been put on
hold because of COVID too.”
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