NYU College of Dentistry Establishes Smigel Prize
By Ross W. Nash, DDS
This year, the New York College of Dentistry has established the Smigel Prize in honor of Dr. Irwin Smigel. The prize recognizes a major gift to the university by some of Dr. Smigel's patients. The Smigel Prize was designed to honor dentists who made significant public contributions, strengthened the areas of dental esthetics and continuing education, and whose work in esthetic dentistry demonstrated excellence, talent, vision, and commitment. The selection committee will include internationally heralded esthetic dentists.
NYU College of Dentistry Dean Michael C. Alfano and Dr. Irwin Smigel will present the inaugural Smigel Prize at a gala dinner in 2000. Subsequently, the prize will be presented every two years at the NYU College of Dentistry by the current dean and Dr. Smigel or a member of his family in conjunction with a special continuing education program on esthetic dentistry.
In announcing the establishment of the Smigel Prize, Dean Alfano said, "By honoring an individual who embodies the exceptionally high standards and cutting edge techniques promulgated by Dr. Smigel, the Smigel Prize will provide ongoing recognition of Dr. Smigel's pioneering achievements in the field of esthetic dentistry. The prize is especially appreciated for bringing added prestige to the field of esthetic dentistry and helping to ensure a greater future for our college."
It began in 1979 when Dr. Smigel's nationally best selling book Dental Health/Dental Beauty prompted an appearance on the syndicated television show "That's Incredible", where he performed the first nationally televised bonding demonstration. Thousands of viewers called the network hoping to learn how they could improve their smiles, and the dentistry field changed forever. He has since appeared on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "Regis and Kathy Lee," NBC News, ABC News, and CBS News.
Dr. Smigel is a visiting adjunct professor for Continuing Education in Aesthetics at the University of Minnesota Dental School and the University of the State of New York Dental School at Buffalo. Dr. Smigel has published more than 500 articles and 2 books on subjects in esthetic dentistry. In 1994, he received the Outstanding Contribution to Aesthetic Dentistry Award from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
He is the founder and current president of the American Society of Dental Aesthetic (ASDA) and has been instrumental in establishing esthetic dental societies in France, Italy, Japan, Korea, India, Brazil, and Turkey. Dr. Smigel instituted the ASDA in 1976 with one purpose: to teach dental health professionals the most advanced esthetic and restorative techniques available.
The recent International Conference on Aesthetic Dentistry was sponsored by the American Society for Dental Aesthetics and held at the Sheraton Bal Harbour in Bal Harbour, Florida. Dr. Smigel moderated the conference; there were 34 exhibitors and more than 1,000 attendees. The conference included a welcome reception, an awards dinner, a drawing, and a gala ball. The lectures and workshops encompassed a wide variety of topics and were presented by respected educators and clinicians.
Six new members were inducted into the society and two members were awarded the prestigious Fellow status. One member was inducted into the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. All award recipients discussed their commitment to excellence in dentistry and credited the ASDA for helping them to succeed.
One of the first dentists to understand that dentistry should provide both health and cosmetic services, Dr. Smigel has been recognized by many of his peers as the "father of esthetic dentistry." Many dentists have followed Dr. Smigel's example and made esthetic dentistry more easily available to the public.
Dr. Connie Baker of Rock Hill, South Carolina, who was recently awarded an ASDA Fellowship said: "I have established my cosmetic practice under the guidance of Dr. Irwin Smigel - his expectations set our standards of excellence."
Because of pioneers like Dr. Irwin Smigel, our profession continues to grow and change in positive directions.
Dr. Paul Belvedere from Edina, Minnesota, said, "In 1978, as a fledgling clinician, speaking at one of my first lectures, I had the good fortune to share a seminar with Irwin Smigel at a venue in Kansas. I do not remember the venue, but I certainly remember the man, the leader in direct composite bonding. The warmth and sincerity that I felt with this first meeting, the hallmark of Irwin's professional personality, I have seen extended to whomever he associates with for all of the 21 years I have worked with him. Honesty, integrity, and the desire to help others without consideration of political motives are his greatest strengths. Anyone who has worked with Dr. Smigel knows that he is dedicated to the advancement of esthetic dentistry by sharing his abilities through his teaching and by being a leader in continuing education for his peers, and for the advancement of the profession as a whole."