Dr. Elisa Velazquez, a pediatric dentist from Ocean County, was installed as the 155th President of the New Jersey Dental Association at the organization's Semi-Annual House of Delegates Meeting on Wednesday, June 5.

Joining Dr. Velazquez as NJDA Officers for the 2024-25 term are President-Elect Dr. Amit Vora, Dr. Antoinette Tauk (Vice President), Dr. Andrew Dietz (Treasurer), Dr. Maria Ambrosio (Secretary), Dr. Ed Tirpack (Speaker of the House) and Dr. Harvey Nisselson (Editor). 

Dr. Velazquez first joined organized dentistry as a student and became a New Jersey Dental Association member upon completion of her pediatric residency in 2001. During her time as an NJDA member she has held numerous leadership positions including serving as the Chair of NJDA’s Council on Government Affairs, as President of the Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society (an NJDA component society), and as the ADA District 4 Governmental Affairs Representative.

In addition, Dr. Velazquez is active in organizations outside of the American Dental Association Tripartite.  She currently serves as the President of the New Jersey Hispanic Dental Association and is Treasurer of Dental Lifeline Network.  Velazquez is also the Immediate Past president of the NJ Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Velazquez owns and operates three pediatric/orthodontic dental practices in Ocean County.  She is also the staff dentist for the 75 in-patients of Children's Specialized Hospital of NJ.

Dr. Velazquez was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ.  She graduated from St Dominic Academy in Jersey City & received her bachelor’s degree from Drew University.  She completed her doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now called Rutgers School of Dental Medicine) in 1999 and completed her pediatric residency and masters in oral health in 2001.

Dr. Velazquez lives in Rumson, NJ with her family.  When not serving organized dentistry, she can be found near the beach in NJ or at her beach house on Cape Cod, MA.