Dr. Elliot Feinberg passed away on February 15th, 2000 after a brief illness. He practiced dentistry in Scarsdale from 1948 to December, 1999. His lifetime accomplishments are too numerous to count, and he has touched the lives of many—patients and dentists alike. He was an expert in the field of prosthetic reconstruction who completed thousands of full mouth cases that are documented with photographs. He was a clinical professor for both NYU and Temple Universities and the author of a textbook [Full Mouth Restoration in Daily Practice] that was a best seller in at least four languages. He was always been eager to share his knowledge and help others. A highly experienced and dynamic lecturer, he regularly gave courses all over the country. As a measure of thanks for this dedication, the Ninth District Dental Society (Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange and Putnam Counties) bestowed on him in 1976 its highest award—the D. Austin Sniffen Medal of Honor. In 1998 Dr. Feinberg received the Dental Society of the State of New York’s highest award—the Jarvie Burkhardt award, which recognizes outstanding service to mankind through Dentistry.

Education was the focus of Dr. Feinberg’s career right from the start. After graduating from NYU School of Dentistry in 1945 and serving as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps, Dr. Feinberg met his mentor, Dr. I Franklin Miller. Dr. Miller inspired him to a lifelong pursuit of idealism and continuing education, which ultimately led to teaching. Dr. Feinberg became the first instructor to present a course for the Ninth’s CE program. The resulting acclaim proved that continuing education could be successful in a suburban environment. In order to bring top speakers to the Ninth District Area for group study, Dr. Feinberg founded the Ninth’s Restorative Conference and served as its chairman for more than 10 years.

In 1957, Dr. Feinberg began offering two courses a year for the Ninth at no honorarium. These courses--a course in fixed bridgework and a course in precision attachment partial dentures--were on the Ninth’s CE roster until 1997. He was assisted by his students--and close friends--Elbridge Devine, Samuel Jacobs, Jr., and Edward Feinberg. Unique in the profession, the courses featured live demonstration of his techniques on patients. Often the patients were given substantial discounts that enabled them to have sophisticated Dentistry that they would otherwise be unable to afford. Participants were also treated to lectures created from a library of more than 100,000 slides. In order to provide continuing education for the graduates of these courses, Dr. Feinberg founded the Westchester Academy of Restorative Dentistry, a Ninth District affiliated study group charted by the state of New York in 1965. The Academy has over 100 members that meet several times each year.

Relatively late in his career, Dr. Feinberg became active in organized dentistry’s “political” arena. Former ADA, DSSNY and Ninth District President Abe Kobren was the catalyst for his involvement. He also received encouragement from the late Max Goldstein and Bill Mercier. Dr. Feinberg served the Ninth as a committee chairman, board member, officer and president (1980). For many years he served the Ninth as chairman of the Past Presidents Committee, ensuring positive relationships among Ninth members and staff and with state society officials. At the state level Dr. Feinberg held every type of position. During his six year tenure as treasurer (1989-1994), he shaped DSSNY’s financial policies and vastly increased its reserve fund. He continued up the ladder of the Executive Committee and served DSSNY as president in 1997. Dr. Feinberg made such on impact on the state society that he posthumously received the Distinguished Service Award last June. For much of his career Dr. Feinberg raised awareness of the importance of EDPAC, Dentistry’s voice in the state legislature. He continually reminded his colleagues that they had a duty to support lobbying efforts critical to their own futures.

Involvement was important to Dr. Feinberg in many arenas. He was an avid participant in the Sigma Epsilon Dental Fraternity, and served as its New York Chapter President, Grand Chaplain and Grand Master. Outside of Dentistry, golf was his great passion. At one time he had an “8” handicap and a great eye for putting. His love for the sport naturally involved him in Ridgeway Country Club’s management. He served that institution for 14 years as greens chairman, 28 years as a board member and 2 years as president. Even in his last year of life, Dr. Feinberg did not sit idly by. He joined the board of his condominium association and made an impact there.

“The real advantage of continuing education”, Dr. Feinberg once said, “is the ability to do Dentistry better and quicker with the least amount of problems. Continuing Education is the key to enjoyment in Dentistry”.