Dr. K. William ("Buddy") Mopper, cofounder and chairman of Cosmedent, Inc., an Illinois-based corporation dedicated to training dentists in the burgeoning field of cosmetic dentistry and to developing and marketing aesthetic dental materials to the profession, has been selected as the second recipient of the Irwin Smigel Prize in Aesthetic Dentistry, it was announced recently by Dr. Michael C. Alfano, Dean of the NYU College of Dentistry. The Prize will be presented to Dr. Mopper in spring 2003 at an NYU Continuing Education Symposium on aesthetic dentistry at a date to be announced.
NYU College of Dentistry established the Smigel Prize in 2000 to recognize the pioneering achievements in aesthetic dentistry of Dr. Irwin Smigel, a graduate of the NYU College of Dentistry and the founder and president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, and to honor significant contributions to the field by others at the global level.
The Smigel Prize carries with it a $5,000 stipend and an award designed by Calvin Klein. The inaugural recipient of the Prize was Dr. Ronald E. Goldstein, a cofounder and past president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and a past president of the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry.
"By every measure, the perfect candidate for the distinction of receiving the Irwin Smigel Prize in Aesthetic Dentistry is Buddy Mopper," said Dean Alfano. "Dr. Mopper is a visionary and a person of great achievement, who has played a pivotal role in advancing aesthetic dentistry. His devotion to education and innovation has inspired countless dentists in pursuit of excellence."
As the cofounder of Cosmedent, Inc., in 1982, Dr. Mopper made his mark in what was then an emerging field by promoting a new class of dental materials made from stronger, longer-lasting composite resins. Modern resins have changed the face of dentistry and Cosmedent was one of the pioneers in this movement.
In 1998, Cosmedent opened the Center for Esthetic Excellence, which offers cosmetic dentists a highly-interactive educational program designed to expand their knowledge and skills.
In addition to directing the Center's educational programs, Dr. Mopper maintains an active private practice, and also teaches continuing dental education at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and the University of Florida at Gainesville College of Dentistry.
