Meet Our Faculty

Faculty/Attending Dentists

Aneta Wojcik, D.D.S

• Director
• General Practice Dental Residency Program and Division of Dentistry Mountainside Medical Center
• University of the Pacific, San Francisco CA, Masters in Health Professions Education
• NYU College of Dentistry NYC, Doctor of Dental Surgery
• Advanced Training Dental Sleep Medicine, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
• Residency in General Practice Dentistry Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY.

Dr. Aneta Wojcik, newly appointed Mountainside Medical Center’s Dental Director in 2019, is a general dentist who has provided care to many throughout the world from New York to Germany. Dr. Wojcik, fluent in Polish, holds 4 dental licenses in 4 states as well as an ACLS and BLS provider. Her past appointments included clinical attending at Jacobi Medical Center/North Central Bronx Hospitals for special needs patients. In addition, Dr. Wojcik was Clinical Instructor at both Albert Einstein Medical School, Bronx NY and NYU College of Dentistry in NYC. Dr. Wojcik also was an attending at the Institute of Advanced Medicine at Mount Sinai West Hospital, NYC. Dr. Wojcik is an active member of the Essex County Dental Association, American Dental Education Association and the American Dental Association. As a New Yorker, she enjoys the quaint, quiet surroundings of suburban Montclair, New Jersey.

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.

Paul Dionne, D.M.D

• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
• Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency

Dr. Paul Dionne maintains an active general practice in Glen Ridge. Dr. Dionne has both advanced training and considerable experience in reconstructive dentistry and sleep apnea. He is an active member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

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 Health Care 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.

Alan Gold, D.D.S.

• Temple University Dental School

Experienced in all aspects of general cosmetic implant dentistry, Dr. Gold shares his clinical experience with the residents to help prepare them for their careers.

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.

Ronald Kurlan, D.M.D.

• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School

After serving in the United States Air Force in Michigan, as a Captain and Dental Officer, Dr. Ronald Kurlan returned to New Jersey. Dr. Kurlan has been in practice for over 35 years in Livingston, NJ. Dr. Kurlan is a general dentist who is interested in sharing his knowledge of general dentistry with the residents.

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.

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.

Norman Metz, D.M.D.

• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
• UMDNJ: General Practice Residency

A general dentist who practices in Milburn, Dr. Metz believes that as he mentors residents, he learns as well. He's a past recipient of the "Attending of the Year" award.

George Papasikos, D.M.D.

• Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School
• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School: Residency Training, Certificate in Periodontics

A periodontist who provides clinical supervision for periodontal surgical procedures, Dr. Papasikos practices in Upper Montclair.

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.

Steven Scrivo, D.M.D.

• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
• UMDNJ: Post-graduate training in Periodontics

Dr. Scrivo provides our residents with supervision in periodontal therapy.

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.

Maria Sokolina, D.D.S.

• Diplomate American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
• NYU College of Dentistry, NYC, Doctor of Dental Surgery
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: General Practice Residency

Dr. Sokolina has contributed to the scientific literature. Dr. Sokolina is a provider for SleepArchitx- unique system of combining treatment for Sleep Apnea and Clear Aligners orthodontic treatment. Dr. Sokolina’s aspiration is to find cures for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, combining restorative, orthodontic and sleep apnea treatment to insure beautiful and long lasting results for her patients. Dr. Sokolina enjoys sharing this expert knowledge in the latest techniques in dental sleep medicine with our dental residents. Dr. Sokolina practices in New York City and maintains a private practice in Clifton, NJ.

Carol Soufanati-Idrovo, D.M.D.

• UMDNJ, New Jersey Dental School
• Mountainside Medical Center, General Practice Residency

Dr. Soufanati-Idrovo is a Mountainside Medical Center alumna who is dedicated to helping others prepare for their dental careers. Dr. Soufanati-Idrovo maintains a private practice in Mountain Lakes.

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.

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.

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.