Let's meet another outstanding member of the inaugural class of NJDA Member Recognition Award Recipients. The next member-dentist we’re spotlighting is Dr. Paul J. Desjardins from the Essex County Dental Society.

Dr. Desjardins is a pioneer in dental analgesia, pain control, and clinical pharmacology. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he has made significant contributions to dental medicine, academic research, and efforts to combat the opioid crisis. He is a Professor at Rutgers and Tufts University Schools of Dental Medicine, where he continues to teach graduate and continuing education courses. He has also been a proud ADA member since 1973 and an NJDA member since 1981.

After earning a BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Desjardins received his DMD from Tufts University and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Georgetown University. He completed a two-year hospital-based General Practice Residency in Rochester, NY, now affiliated with the University of Rochester. He held academic leadership roles at Georgetown University and UMDNJ (now Rutgers), serving as Professor of Oral Surgery and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. From 1998, he transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, serving as Executive Vice President at SCIREX Corporation, where he oversaw groundbreaking research in acute pain models, later used in over 100 clinical trials.

Between 2005 and 2011, Dr. Desjardins served as Senior Vice President at Wyeth and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, managing a $20 million annual budget and leading teams to advance pain management therapies. With over 80 publications, he is recognized as a global authority in pain model development and a leader in addressing overprescribing and opioid misuse.

Dr. Desjardins’ career exemplifies excellence in dentistry and pharmacology, inspiring peers and advancing the profession through his dedication and innovative work.