Faculty/Attending Dentists
Dental Residency
Faculty/Attending Dentists
Meredith Blitz, D.D.S.
- Columbia University School of Dental Medicine
- East Orange Veterans Affairs Medical Center Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – Board Certified
In July of 1999, Dr. Blitz entered into both private practice and hospital-based oral surgery. She continues to work actively at both Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine and St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center teaching students and residents. She currently serves on multiple committees at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. As an active member of the St. Joseph’s attending physician staff, an affiliated hospital, Dr. Blitz participates in the trauma call schedule for our dental residents.
Anthony Cannilla, D.M.D.
- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
Dr. Cannilla, a mentor to our dental residents for many years, Dr. Cannilla received the Attending of the Year Award in 2009 and 2011.
Dr. Cannilla maintains a private practice in Montville in all aspects of general dentistry concentrating on the unique needs of each individual patient.
Emil Cappetta, D.D.S.
- Columbia University School of Dental Medicine
- Oral and Maxillofacial Specialty training at Bellevue Hospital, Manhattan VA Hospital, and New York University Medical and Dental Centers
Dr. Cappetta practices in Montclair. Dr. Cappetta received extensive training in maxillofacial trauma and reconstruction, head and neck cancer, orthognathic and facial cosmetic surgery, dentoalveolar surgery, as well as performing general anesthesia and sedation to adult and pediatric groups. As an Attending Oral Surgeon, Dr. Cappetta provides educational lectures and hands on training instruction to the dental residents.
Alison Chan, D.D.S, MPH
- Columbia University School of Dental Medicine
- NYU/Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY: General Practice Residency
- NYU/Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY: General Practice Residency
Former faculty at both Columbia University Dental School and New York University School of Dentistry, Dr. Chan maintains a private practice in Livingston, New Jersey.
Dr. Chan’s interest includes public health dentistry. Dr. Chan enjoys supervising the residents in the dental clinic and sharing her clinical expertise. Dr. Chan also enjoys expanding the dental residents view in the area of public health dentistry.
John Ding, D.M.D.
- Rowan University
- Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry
- Monmouth Medical Hospital, General Practice Residency
- St. Joseph’s University Hospital, Pediatric Dentistry Program
Dr. Ding practiced as a general dentist for a few years. Eventually he decided to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry. He is currently an attending physician at Hackensack Mountainside and St Joseph’s. He is a practicing dentist in the United States Army Reserve and has achieved the rank of Captain.
Hillel Ephros, D.M.D., M.D.
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- St. George's University School of Medicine
- St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center: General Practice Residency
- VA NJ Healthcare System: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training
Dr. Ephros directs the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson. Dr. Ephros currently chairs the Department of Dentistry and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Joseph’s where he is also Medical Director of the Regional Craniofacial Center. Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center is one of the affiliated hospitals for this program. Dr. Ephros has contributed to the scientific literature and presents locally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Ephros devotion to medical education, enjoys sharing his expert knowledge with the dental residents.
Michael Erlichman, D.D.S.
- New York University
- College of Dentistry Montefiore Hospital
- Bronx, NY, Residency: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Erlichman enjoys supervising the residents in outpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures.
Anne C. Hartnett, D.D.S.
- Diplomate
- American Board of Periodontology
- SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
- Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY: General Practice Residency
- University of Tennessee and Memphis VA Hospital, Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Residency
Dr. Hartnett is board-certified by the American Board of Periodontology and limits her practice to periodontal and implant dentistry. Dr. Anne Hartnett is certified in minimally invasive procedures including the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Dr. Hartnett enjoys supervising surgical procedures by the residents including implant placement. In addition, Dr. Hartnett lectures on periodontal therapy and is involved in treatment planning seminars.
Lorraine N. Hindy, D.M.D, P.A.
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
Dr. Hindy maintains a full-time practice in West Caldwell and provides our dental residents with clinical supervision while preparing the dental residents with the skills necessary for private practice.
Interests: cosmetic dentistry combined with dermal filler (perioral rejuvenation)
Sylvia Irwin, DMD, PhD
- Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School
- UMDNJ: General Practice Residency
Dr. Irwin's interests include cosmetics and smile rehabilitation, the treatment of seniors and working with apprehensive patients. She maintains a solo practice in Nutley.
Howard Kotkin, D.D.S.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
- Monmouth Medical Center: General Practice Residency
- Lutheran Medical Center: Post Graduate Training, Pediatric Dentistry
A pediatric dentist who practices in Chatham, Dr. Kotkin's entertaining approach to care for children and his dedication to developing the skills necessary for private practice have earned him several "Attending of the Year" awards at Mountainside Medical Center.
Dr. Pamela Ledig, D.M.D.
- Diplomate American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
- Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY: Postgraduate Training Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Pamela Ledig maintains a private practice in Bloomfield, NJ. Dr. Ledig has extensive experience treating young children and adolescents, including those with special needs. Dr. Ledig is multi-lingual in Spanish and French and has the ability to communicate to her patients in their native languages. Dr. Ledig is the Section Chief for Pediatric Dentistry at Mountainside.
Dr. Pamela Ledig enjoys working with the dental residents and providing them with the skills necessary to treat the pediatric and special needs patient.
Leonard Leff, D.M.D.
- University of Pennsylvania
- Mount Sinai Hospital, General Practice Residency
After working for a year, he started practicing at 515 Valley Road in West Orange, NJ. He practiced there for 34 years alongside his wife Michele, a dental hygienist. He obtained his FAGD and practices all aspects of general dentistry. Dr. Leff was also an attending at Overlook Hospital for 14 years. He has two children and enjoys reading, movies, and golf in his free time.
Laurence Leff, D.M.D.
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania, Residency: Department of Endodontics
As an endodontist who has been on staff many years at Mountainside Medical Center, Dr. Leff is committed to providing clinical supervision and training for residents. He also practices in Montclair.
Stephen Liao, D.M.D.
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
- Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY: Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Internship
Dr. Liao maintains a full-time practice in Lodi and provides clinical supervision for outpatients, as well as same-day surgery patients. He performs operating room dentistry for patients with special needs. A premier Invisalign provider, Dr. Liao is a member of the American Dental Association, NJ Dental Association and Essex County Dental Society.
Michael Masella, D.M.D.
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
Dr. Masella is an alumnus of the General Practice Residency at Mountainside Medical Center and has returned to mentor others. He maintains a general practice in Caldwell.
Stephen Pascal, D.M.D.
- University of Pennsylvania
- Mount Sinai Hospital, General Practice Residency
- New York University College of Dentistry, Post Graduate Training, Endodontic
Dr. Pascal works in Bloomfield, NJ as an Endodontist with specialty license #2909. He is past President of the New Jersey Association of Endodontists. At Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center, he provides clinical supervision for endodontic procedures.
Stephen Press, D.M.D.
- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Press provides residents with supervision for restorative procedures and endodontic therapy. He is currently in practice in Montclair.
Kaivon Rahaghi, D.D.S.
- New York University, College of Dentistry
- Postgraduate training: VA Hospital and Temple University AEGD
Practicing in Bloomfield, Dr. Rahaghi performs orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics and general dentistry. In his work, he emphasizes the importance of educating patients about improving dental health through home care and diet as well as through the use of modern dental techniques.
William Ranucci, D.M.D.
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- UMDNJ: Specialty training, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Ranucci is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who practices in Montclair. He provides clinical supervision for residents in the outpatient clinic and operating room, overseeing implant treatment planning and placement. He is a past recipient of the "Attending of the Year" award.
Gary M Rosenblatt, D.M.D.
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School: Residency Training, Certificate in Periodontics
Dr. Rosenblatt provides implant services and has lectured on periodontics and implant placement. He also performs periodontal cosmetic procedures.
James Skiba, D.D.S.
- New York University, College of Dentistry
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School: Post-graduate training in Prosthodontics
Dr. Skiba is co-author of "The Classification System for Completely Edentulous, Partially Edentulous, and Complete Dentate Patients," published in the Journal of Prosthodontics. A member of the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, he maintains a private practice limited to Prosthodontics in Montclair with an in-house dental laboratory facility. Previously, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor at UMDNJ in the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He currently provides didactic education in Prosthodontics for our General Practice Residency.
David St. Ledger, D.D.S.
- Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
Past President of the Western Essex Dental Association, Dr. St. Ledger is currently involved in The Continuum at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Dr. St. Ledger supervises the dental residents in all phases of general dentistry and practices in Montclair.
Louis Sterling, D.D.S.
- NYU College of Dentistry
- The Long Island College Hospital, General Practice Residency
Dr Sterling has been providing all aspects of General Dental care in Brooklyn and Staten Island, treating generations of families, and earning their loyal support and respect for more than 35 years. He brings his clinical expertise and chair side compassion to the residents of the Mountainside General Practice Residency Program. Dr. Sterling was recognized as Attending of the Year 2021-22.
Michael Sutton, D.M.D, F.A.G.D.
- Fairleigh Dickinson School of Dentistry
- Mountainside Hospital: General Practice Residency, Fellowship/Post Graduate Training: Implants
A general dentist who provides family cosmetic dental care, Dr. Sutton is a technology guru and shares this knowledge with the General Practice Residents.
Helen Tong, D.M.D.
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pediatric Specialty Training
Dr. Tong completed her dental education at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, where she received a 2-year Health Professions Scholarship from the U.S. Army and earned her DMD degree in 2006. She then went on to serve two years as Captain as a general dentist at Fort Eustis, VA. Subsequently, Dr. Helen moved back to New York to join a practice focusing primarily on children and patients with special needs; she then immediately realized her most enjoyable days were spent treating toddlers and children. Not only is she Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry, but she is also a Certified Scuba Diver. In her free time, she loves baking and reading thrillers but her greatest joy is spending time with her daughters in New Jersey.
Luke Zambetti, D.M.D.
- Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Postgraduate Specialty Training, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Prior to graduating Summa Cum Laude from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Zambetti grew up in Scarsdale, NY. During his training at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Zambetti graduated #1 in his class and was inducted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honors Dental Society, the premiere honors society of dentistry. He was also awarded nine other honors and scholarships during his training. He received additional affiliated training at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital, the National Institutes of Health, and the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He also received pediatric anesthesia and pediatric craniofacial surgical training at the renowned Children’s National Hospital.
Lidia Zemlanicky, D.M.D.
- UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
- Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency
Experienced in practice management, as well as all aspects of general dentistry, Dr. Zemlanicky maintains a private practice in Glen Ridge.