Professional Presentations • In the News • Public Presentations • Professional Affiliations • Education and Training

• Over 32 years of patient dental care
• Assistant Professor of Dentistry for 22 years at Columbia University
• On staff at The Presbyterian Hospital of NYC for 17 years
• Leader in Cosmetic Dentistry and Bonding since 1975
• Pioneer in Porcelain Laminate Veneers since 1981
• Lectured nationally and internationally on the latest techniques in Cosmetic Dentistry and Porcelain Veneers
• Performed the first smile makeover featuring Porcelain Veneers on ABC's Good Morning America
• Featured in GQ magazine and on ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, CNBC, and WOR television and radio
• Elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon -the National Dental Honor Society
• Appeared in the premier issue of Marquis' Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare
• Chosen as one of "America's Top Dentists" by the Consumer Research Council of America
• Selected as one of New York's leading dentists by New Life Magazine
• Fellow of the Institute of Nutritional & Systemic Dentistry.

   Dr. Robert G. Veligdan has been in the practice of cosmetic and restorative dentistry in New York for 32 years. His ability to both anticipate and meet the needs of his patients, using the latest technology and improvements in the field of dentistry has enabled him to stay at the forefront of dental medicine. In addition to his private practice, both Dr. Veligdan’s hospital affiliations and time spent in the classroom teaching future dentists have kept him abreast of the newest ideas and latest practices.

   In the early years of his practice, Dr.Veligdan was among the first dentists to perform cosmetic bonding, bleaching and teeth whitening procedures.  He studied with internationally-renowned prosthodontist, Dr. I. Franklin Miller whose practice he was honored to be given upon Dr. Miller’s retirement. In 1977 he also began his teaching affiliation with the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery where he taught crown and bridge technique and was involved in dental implant research.

   In the 1980’s, Dr. Veligdan was one of the first three dentists that pioneered a breakthrough cosmetic and minimally-invasive technique—Porcelain Laminate Veneers. Commonplace now but revolutionary at the time, porcelain laminate veneers gave dentists a more esthetically pleasing and less invasive way than traditional caps and crowns to improve their patients’ smiles. It was also more durable and beautiful than composite bonding.  Dr. Veligdan worked closely with the process's inventor, dental lab technician Adrian Jurim, to develop and perfect the technique in the early 1980's and was one of the first few dentists in the world to change his patients' smiles with porcelain veneers. Dr. Veligdan also developed some of the original cements used to bond these veneers and helped to perfect many of the preparation and placement techniques.

   Because of his expertise in this area, Dr. Veligdan, was given the opportunity to train hundreds of other practicing dentists and dental students in this newest technique. He also wrote, produced and directed the first teaching video tape on the topic of porcelain laminate veneers for Columbia University's School of Dental and Oral Surgery Continuing Education Department where he was a clinical professor for over 20 years.

   Dr. Veligdan also worked with a prominent periodontist and researcher from Columbia University's School of Dental and Oral Surgery, in pioneering the process of local application of antibiotics for periodontal infections. This practice, which has evolved through the years, was able in many cases, to reduce the need for periodontal surgery and extractions. The use of this non-surgical periodontal therapy—in conjunction with deep cleanings—is now a commonly used practice and is responsible for creating healthy gums to this day.

   Dr. Veligdan is happily married to world-renowned concert pianist and Steinway Artist, Rosa Antonelli, PhD.

Professional Presentations ^

-Multiple lectures and seminars to the Manhattan (First District) Dental Society—(now called the New York County Dental Society)
-Many presentations to the largest dental meeting in the world—the Greater New York Dental Meeting
-The Spanish American Medical Dental Society of New York
-XV Interamerican Medical Congress
-New York Society of Clinical Hypnosis
-The Second District Dental Society
-University of Rochester Medical Center
-Eastman Dental Center
-Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery—Continuing Dental Education
-Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery—Undergraduate and Graduate Departments
-Block Drug Corporation (now GlaxoSmithKline)
-Colgate-Palmolive Company
-Jamaica (Island of) Dental Association
-Numerous Dental Study Clubs and Groups

Dr. Veligdan—In the News ^

-Performed the first ever dental makeover on national television on ABC's Good Morning America in 1988, placing porcelain laminate veneers and metal-free crowns on a patient during the newscast.
-was featured in the pages of GQ magazine in an article on cosmetic dentistry.
-discussed dental bleaching and teeth whitening on cable television's America's Talking in the “Wake Up America” segment.
-was featured in the New York Post's, Health and Fitness section on how to calm patients' fears and make them more comfortable in the dental chair using holistic dental practices.
-appeared on Dr. Robert Atkins' WEVD radio show segment, Your Health Choices and discussed new, minimally-invasive and holistic dental treatments.
-was shown on Fox 5 News at 10:00 discussing the systemic aspects of periodontal disease.
-appeared on New Jersey's WCTC radio station with host Dr. Derrick DeSilva, MD discussing and fielding questions on the latest concepts in general dentistry on the “Ask the Doctor” segment.
-discussed the latest dental techniques as a guest on the Joe Franklin Television show.
-appeared on the Food Network's “In Food Today” with Donna Hanover Giuliani to discuss, “The Best & Worst Foods for Your Teeth.”
-appeared on the Fox News Network to discuss “Holistic and Metal-Free Dentistry” on Fox on Health.

Public Presentations ^

-lectured at The Learning Annex in Manhattan on New Techniques For a Beautiful Face and Dazzling Smile.
-addressed the Women's National Republican Club on the latest advances in Cosmetic & Natural Dentistry.
-presented numerous lectures at the New Life Expo and various other health expos on the topic of Cosmetic & Alternative Dentistry.
-spoke to New York City Public School students on dental hygiene.

Professional Affiliations ^

Active member of the American Dental Association for 30 years
Omicron Kappa Upsilon (National Dental Honor Society)
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Academy of General Dentistry
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Staff Alumni of Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery
Staff Alumni of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
Academy of Oral Rehabilitation
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
Fellow of the Institute of Nutritional/Systemic Dentistry

Education and Training ^

Dr. Veligdan knew from an early age that he wanted to enter the field of dental medicine. With that in mind, he entered the University of Pittsburgh where he embarked upon a rigorous pre-dental curriculum, earning his Bachelor of Science degree. His outstanding academic performance at the undergraduate level and a top 2% score on the Dental Aptitude Test enabled him to enter dental school in an accelerated program and with a one-year early acceptance. Dr. Veligdan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 1975 while also taking courses at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health where he wrote and submitted a public health proposal.

While a dental student, Dr. Veligdan was trained as a lab technician/assistant in the Hematology Lab and Blood Bank at St. Margaret's Hospital in Pittsburgh and was also trained as an autopsy assistant in pathology at Montifiore Hospital in Pittsburgh.

After graduating from dental school, Dr. Veligdan came to New York City to study with world renowned prosthodontist and dental pioneer, I. Franklin Miller DDS. Soon after, Dr. Veligdan was asked to join Dr. I. Franklin Miller as an associate and was honored to eventually take over Dr. Miller's practice.

Dr. Veligdan entered a training program at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in September of 1976 to become an instructor at the dental school and in May of 1977 was asked to join the faculty as a pre-clinical instructor. A few years later he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Clinical Professor and stayed in that capacity for 20 years.

Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Dr. Veligdan also taught many fellow dentists through continuing education classes on subjects including: Cosmetics, Porcelain Laminate Veneers, Lasers and Dental Patient Comfort, Tempomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ/TMD). He also manages to keep current on the latest dental trends by attending many continuing education courses himself. In addition to the required courses for all dentists, Dr. Veligdan has completed the following programs:

♦Surgical Mini-Residency, Montifiore Hospital Dental Implant Center (1997),
♦Fellow - Institute of Nutritional and Systemic Dentistry (one-year) completing all six levels (2003),
♦Certificate – Electro surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, 1975,
♦Certificate - Clinical Hypnosis, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, 1975,
♦Certificate - Endosseous Implants, International Congress of Oral Implantology, 1982, ♦Certificate - Diagnosis and Treatment of TMJ Disorders, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 1984,
♦Certificate - Branemark Osseointegration Implant technique in Prosthodontics, New York University Dental School, 1986, ♦Certificate - American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 1989,
♦Certificate - Sensible Implant Dentistry, Bicon Dental Implants, 1999,
♦Certificate - "A Professional Response to the Terrorist Threat," New York University College of Dentistry, 2001.

In addition to these specific programs, Dr. Veligdan has attended many other symposiums in recent years on Porcelain Laminate Veneers, Dental Implants and Holistic/Biological Dentistry.