In a recent ceremony at the New Jersey Dental Association’s (NJDA) 140th Garden State Dental Conference & Expo in Atlantic City, Michael Messana, DMD, was sworn in as the organization’s vice president for the 2010-2011 year. He also chairs the association’s Task Force on Access to Care. Dr. Messana graduated from the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) six-year Accelerated Dental Program, where he received a BS in biology (Summa Cum Laude). While at FDU, he was president of both the Tri-Beta Biological Society and the Pre-Professional Society, and was elected to represent the school to the American Student Dental Association. He made the Dean’s List and Who’s Who in American Colleges for 1987. Upon closure of FDU College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Messana transferred to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School where he earned his dental degree. Upon graduation he was inducted into the distinguished Omega Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. Dr. Messana attended New York University’s postgraduate program in orthodontics. He was elected class president during his last year in the program, and received his certificate in orthodontics in 1993 Dr. Messana stayed in New York to attend Bellevue Hospital’s one-year Orthognathic Fellowship for orthodontists. Dr. Messana maintains three orthodontic locations In East Rutherford, Bayonne and Jersey City. Currently, he is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and a past president of the Hudson County Dental Society. He lives in East Rutherford with his wife, Dr. Bernadetta Messana, also a dentist, and their two children, Michael and Marianna. The New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) is among the largest state dental associations in America. Founded in 1870, the NJDA is headquartered in North Brunswick and serves and supports its nearly 4,800 members and fosters the advancement of quality, ethical oral healthcare for the public. NJDA’s web address is www.njda.org.