The NJDA House of Delegates meeting on June 5 featured the announcement of the inaugural class of NJDA Member Recognition Award Recipients. This is a group of member-dentists who have gone above and beyond and warranted acknowledgment and praise from their colleagues. Each month we will highlight a different recipient to publicly thank them and share their story with all NJDA members. The next member-dentist we’re spotlighting from the 2024 Member Recognition Awards is Dr. Robert Silverstein from the Middlesex County Dental Society.

Since joining the Middlesex County Dental Society (MCDS) board in 1997, Dr. Silverstein has consistently gone above and beyond in his efforts to support the organization. In 1998, he initiated the creation of the MCDS website, which he continues to edit and maintain to this day. He also serves as the Editor of the MCDS newsletter. His expertise in in-house publishing has saved the organization thousands of dollars annually. Additionally, Dr. Silverstein has held various roles within MCDS, including Secretary, Vice-President, and President during the 2006-2007 term.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global activities in 2020, Dr. Silverstein’s dedication to organized dentistry was crucial in maintaining the stability of MCDS. He facilitated bulk PPE purchases through the MCDS website and organized continuing education courses virtually via Zoom. His efforts in transitioning component meetings to a hybrid format enabled MCDS to engage more members than ever before. 

Dr. Silverstein is an Orthodontist who has been practicing in Somerset since 1994. He graduated from the dental school at UMDNJ in 1990 and obtained a Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master's in Oral Biology from UMDNJ in 1993. He currently serves as the Chief of Orthodontics at RWJBarnabas Health in New Brunswick.