Meet Dr. Richard Weledniger Print

Dr. Richard Weledniger truly cares for his patients. His strong and lasting relationships with his family of patients and his excellent clinical skills continue to make his practice one of the leading Advanced Cosmetic and General Dentistry practices on Long Island.  His enthusiasm and passion for dentistry has touched both his patients and the students that he teaches.

Dr. Weledniger, a 1972 graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, continued his education with a General Practice Residency at the Westchester County Medical Center.

Dr. Weledniger teaches at both NYU College of Dentistry and at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine.

He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry in the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care and a member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Additionally at SUNY Stony Brook, School of Dental Medicine and at University Hospital at Stony Brook, Dr. Weledniger actively participates with future smilemakers in both the clinic setting and the classroom as an Assistant Clinical Professor of General Dentistry. He frequents as a guest lecturer in Dentistry for the Department of Physician Assistant Education at the Stony Brook University, Schools of Health Technology and Management. He is also an Attending Physician in the department of Dental Medicine, Division of Dental Forensics at both North Shore University Hospital and the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is also the author of the Dental Language Guide - Saying It Effectively, a practical guide for dentists to help them in developing communication and language skills.

Dr. Weledniger is a Certified Clinical Researcher for the PEARL Network, and his office has been approved as a clinical research site. The PEARL Network is a collaboration of academic researchers and experienced clinicians who have teamed together in conjunction with NYU and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ongoing research involves investigations in prevention, management and treatment of a wide range of oral diseases and conditions.

Dr. Weledniger is a member of the American Dental Association, Dental Society of the State of New York, a charter member of both the Suffolk County Dental Society and Dentist's for a Better Huntington, a member of the American Society of Forensic Dentistry, the New York Society of Forensic Dentistry and Member of the American Society of Forensics Sciences. In November, 2006 he was awarded a Fellowship in the International Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics. He has attended and continues to attend numerous continuing education courses with emphasis on Implants, Veneers, Restorative Denistry and Diode Lasers. He is also a Certified Invisalign Premier Provider, placing him among the top five percent of Invisalign practitioners in North America. To qualify for Premier Provider status doctors must demonstrate an exceptional level of Invisalign experience and keep current on the latest Invisalign techniques.

Dr. Weledniger, is a Dental Consultant with the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office and the NYC Medical Examiner's Office and a member of the Nassau County Dental Identification Team. He is a member of DMORT - of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) which is part of the US Department of Health & Human Services and a member of the NDIR Federal Bureau of Investigation (NCIC).  He is also a member of the NYC, Nassau and Suffolk County Medical Reserve Corps. With the NYC OCME, he was a Tour Commander with the NYC Dental ID Team following the September 11th tragedy at the World Trade Center and American Airlines Flight 587. Together with all of the volunteers who gave their time and expertise, he helped bring a measure of comfort to the victim's families. Dr. Weledniger was a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the New York Academy of Dentistry for his contribution in this effort. On September 11, 2003 he received additional recognitions from the City of New York, Office of Chief Medical Examiner and from Congressman Vito Fossella for his extraordinary efforts.

On October 16, 2004, the German Academy of Forensic Odontostomatology (AKFOS) presented Dr. Weledniger and the other 30 co-leaders of the NYC Dental Identification Team the Gösta Gustafson Award as an appreciation and acknowledgement for identifying the victims of the September 11, 2001 disaster and for advancing Forensic Dentistry in the United States.

He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, woodworking, golf, computing, website design, and photography. A large sampling of his photography can be seen throughout our dental practice.