Irwin Smigel
{{Infobox person
| name = Irwin Smigel
| image =
| alt =
| birth_name =Irwin Elliot Smigel
| birth_date ={{birth date|1924|10|9}}
| birth_place =Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
| death_date={{death date and age|2016|10|17|1924|10|9}}
| death_place=Manhattan, New York
| known_for = Dental Surgery
| occupation = Dental Surgeon, innovator
| spouse = Lucia Smigel
| children = 2, including Robert
| website = {{URL|http://www.smigel.com/}}
}}
Irwin Elliot Smigel (October 9, 1924 – October 17, 2016) was an American aesthetic dentist, innovator and philanthropist.
Biography
Smigel, who was Jewish, founded the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA), and was President of the ASDA until his death in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.asdatoday.com/about-us/founding|title=About Our Founder - Irwin Smigel - ASDA|website=www.asdatoday.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-23}} Smigel was involved with many major developments in dentistry over the past three decades, including: tooth bonding, laminates, veneers, changing facial structures and teeth whitening.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/october/father-of-aesthetic-dentistry-dies-at-92|title='Father of aesthetic dentistry' dies at 92|website=www.ada.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-23}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dentistrytoday.com/articles/52-articlesmagazine/Cover-Story/935--sp-1211206060|title=Exclusive Interview: Dr. Irwin Smigel {{!}} Dentistry Today|last=DDS|first=Dean Mersky|website=www.dentistrytoday.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-08-23}} New York University College of Dentistry dubbed him "The Father of Aesthetic Dentistry" in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://dental.nyu.edu/aboutus/news/nexus/fall-2000/inaugural-irwin-smigel-prize.html|title=Smigel Prize in Aesthetic Dentistry Established|last=|first=|date=|website=|series=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}} In 2009, The National Museum of Dentistry, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, created a permanent exhibition called The Smile Experience celebrating Dr. Smigel's contributions to dentistry.{{Cite web|url=https://us.dental-tribune.com/news/national-museum-of-dentistry-celebrates-opening-of-smile-experience-exhibition/|title=National Museum of Dentistry celebrates opening of 'Smile Experience' exhibition|website=us.dental-tribune.com|date=3 July 2009 |access-date=2018-08-23}}
Smigel and his wife, Lucia Smigel, have two children, the writer/comedian Robert Smigel and Bellanca Smigel Rutter, and six grandsons. He died in Manhattan from pneumonia on October 17, 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/18/nyregion/irwin-smigel-new-york-dentist-behind-cosmetic-techniques-dies-at-92.html|title=Irwin Smigel, New York Dentist Behind Cosmetic Techniques, Dies at 92|last=Roberts|first=Sam|date=2016-10-17|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-11-13}}
Career
Smigel graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1950. In the late 1970s Smigel appeared on ABC's "That's Incredible" where he performed "live" tooth-bonding on a patient for the first time on national television. He was called the "pioneer of tooth-bonding" on that show.{{Citation|last=Steve Schadt|title=Dr. Irwin Smigel - That's Incredible|date=2014-05-26|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8uCW3rolqQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/a8uCW3rolqQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-08-23}}{{cbignore}}
=Later years=
Smigel practiced on Madison Avenue in New York City and was a visiting lecturer for several postgraduate aesthetic dentistry programs, including the University of Minnesota Dental School, SUNY School of Dentistry – Buffalo, University of Missouri Dental School, Case Western University and the Baylor University School of Dentistry. He lectured throughout the country to practicing dentists and worldwide in countries including India, Korea, Israel, Turkey, Japan, South America, Canada. The Irwin and Lucia Smigel Fund was created to allow young professional actors and performers who could not afford aesthetic dentistry to obtain this type of dental work at The New York University College of Dentistry.{{Cite news|url=https://www.backstage.com/news/a-smile-can-be-so-critical-for-a-performer/|title=A smile can be so critical for a performer|work=Backstage.com|access-date=2018-08-23}}
Publications
- {{cite book|last=Smigel|first=Irwin|title=Dental Health/Dental Beauty|year=1979|publisher=M. Evans|isbn=978-0-87131-284-6|pages=275}}
Numerous articles in Dentistry Today and many other dental trade journals.
Honors
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 1994: Outstanding Contribution to Aesthetic Dentistry Award.
New York University College of Dentistry creation of the Irwin Smigel Prize in Aesthetic Dentistry presented to dentists for outstanding contributions to the world of aesthetic dentistry.
In June 2009, the National Museum of Dentistry, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, honored Smigel in a new historical exhibition called The Smile Experience.
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:20th-century American Jews
Category:New York University alumni
Category:American dentistry academics