Michael Safian, DDS, FICD, FACD – Candidate for ADA 2nd VP

Download my Curriculum Vitae (CV): Safian Curriculum Vitae 2026

Download my Campaign Flyer: MJS Campaign Flyer v2

Dear Colleagues,

It is a genuine honor to be a candidate for Second Vice President of the American Dental Association, and a greater one still to make my case to this House.

Our profession is at a decisive moment. The decisions we make in this room shape the practice lives of colleagues who have not yet applied to dental school. Dentistry’s next generation is depending on ours for strong representation and careful stewardship.

My experience has taught me how to take a goal that large and break it into smaller, winnable pieces — smaller bites, if you will forgive an oral surgeon the pun.

I built a private practice from scratch in2004, and I continue to guide and grow it today. I also teach that next generation every day in the Dental Department at Yale–New Haven Hospital. Working with oral and maxillofacial surgery, general practice and pediatric dental residents gives me a direct line to what young dentists need from this profession whether general dentists or specialists, how they see it, and — best of all — it keeps me young.

My leadership experience is broad, and it reaches different constituents at every level. I have served, and continue to serve, at the local, state and national levels of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. I have been a committee member, a committee chair, a consultant, a state association president, and a Speaker of the House. Nearly every one of those leadership roles came by the choice of my peers — the same way you will choose this week — and I have never taken that trust lightly.

This House carries the enormous responsibility of electing its own leaders. I hope that together we can advance the ADA’s mission and initiatives, and build programs and opportunities that ensure members at every career stage want not only to benefit from this Association, but to serve it.

Early in my organized dentistry career, I was told that the first job of every volunteer is to find their replacement. Those of us leading today owe the profession that ideal, and I intend to carry it forward as your next Second Vice President.

I look forward to continuing these conversations over the next few days, here in Indianapolis. I want to hear your insight, your ideas and your hopes for our profession and for the American Dental Association.

Below is a link to my candidacy information, including my curriculum vitae, brochure and vision statement — along with a few choice photographs. If you have any questions, please reach out by mobile phone at 203-516-1100 or by email at [email protected].

Respectfully,

Michael J Safian, DDS, FICD, FACD