The following MCDS members have achieved life membership this year: Cavan Brunsden, Brian Dubin, Hugh Habas, Lucian Kahan, Daniel Krantz, Aaron Prestup, Robert Rickards, Philip Schrager, Michael Spiegel, Stephen Traum and Raymond Ungermah.
They have shown a steadfast dedication to their profession and organized dentistry over their careers. They were formally inducted as life members at the January 2013 General Meeting. Each new life member was asked to submit their biographical information, and those who elected to do so are recognized below. Photos were taken of those who were able to attend the meeting, and are all taken with 2012-2013 NJDA President Dr. Michael Messana (photos taken by Arthur Meisel).

Cavan Brunsden was born in London, England. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1970 with a BS in Biology and a BA in Elementary Education. He graduated with his DMD degree in 1979 from UMDNJ and in 1981 with a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Montefiore Medical Center. He was an associate in a dental practice in East Brunswick, NJ before starting his own practice, Kidzdent, in 1985, in Old Bridge, NJ. He is currently in full time practice at Kidzdent which is a center for Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics for Children and Adults, Special Needs and Pediatric Oral Sedation.
Dr. Brunsden is a Past President of MCDS, NJDA Board member, Chair of Communications NJDA, State director of Children’s Dental Health and the State Manager of GKAS 2000 - 2012.
Cavan and his wife Dr. Nancy Villa, an Orthodontist, are the parents of Andrew and Jessica and the grandparents of Jack and Zola.

Brian Dubin was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ and went to college at Rutgers University. He received his dental education from University of Pennsylvania graduating in 1971. He then completed his Orthodontic certificate program from University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and served in the USAF from 1973-75. He was a Major at the Wright Patterson AFB and Chairman of Orthodontics. He worked in Edison, NJ for a year before opening his own office in North Brunswick, NJ. Subsequently he also opened offices in Highland Park and Monroe. Currently he is practice with his son Joseph.
Dr. Dubin is the past chairman of the Children’s dental health month as well past program chair for MCDS. He is also a member of the AAO.
Brian and his wife Shelly reside in Skillman, NJ and are the parents of Marc, Joseph and Stacie. They are also proud grandparents of 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Besides practicing full time, he likes reading on the beach in summer and skiing in the winter.

Hugh Habas was born in Brooklyn, NY and went to college at SUNY, Stonybrook. He received his dental education from Case Western Reserve, graduating in 1971. He then did a dental internship at Florida State Hospital and a one year post graduate training in Periodontics. He worked as an associate in various practices before opening his own practice in Perth Amboy, NJ in June 1977. Subsequently, he relocated to Fords, NJ in 1998 where he is in full time practice.
Dr. Habas is a Past President of the Middlesex County Dental Society and the Raritan Valley Study Club, where he is currently an active member. He is also a member of the Dental Practice Study Club since 1980. He was the State trustee at the NJDA from 1991-1994 for Middlesex County Dental Society and currently serves on the Alumni Board of Trustees at Case School of Dental Medicine.
Hugh and his wife Sherry reside in Warren, NJ and are the parents of Owen and Ashley.

Lucian Kahan was born in Romania and attended Yeshiva College where he graduated with a BS in Physics. He graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 1974 with his DDS degree and in 1977 with a Certificate in Periodontics. He practiced in dental practices in Forest hills, NY and Woodbridge, NJ before starting his own practice in 1980, in East Brunswick.
Dr. Kahan completed a one year implant residency at NYU in 1994 and is an attending at JFK and Robert Wood Johnson hospitals. He is the founder of the Garden State Periodontics and Implant study club and a Past President of the US Dental Tennis Association
Lucian and his wife Roberta are the parents of Scott, Howie and Michelle and the grandparents of Alex, Joshua and Cole. He is avid tennis player, skier and ballroom dancer.

Daniel Krantz was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and went to Hunter College and then Lehman College. He graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 1975 and went on to complete a one year certificate program in General Practice and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Brooklyn Jewish/Greenpoint Hospitals in 1978. He worked for several practices and opened his own practice in Somerset, NJ in 1980 where he currently practices full-time.
Dr. Krantz is a Past President of the NJDA and the MCDS. He is a Past Chairman of the NJDA Council on Dental Benefits. He is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Fellow of the ICOI, ACD and a member of the American Society of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is a member of the first class of 26 recipients of the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) award from the AGD. He is currently an ADA Delegate and the 4th ADA District representative to the ADA Council on Dental Benefits
Daniel and his wife Lois reside in Somerset, NJ and are the parents of Joshua and Laurie and grandparents of Eli, Lily, Matthew and Jonah.

Phil Schrager was born and raised in New York City and went to college at Indiana State University. He graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 1973. He then served in the Army from 1973-15 where he was the Captain in US Army Dental Corp. After graduation he opened his first practice in Brooklyn, NY in 1975 and then relocated to North Brunswick, NJ in 1977 where he is currently in full time practice.
Dr. Schrager was President of the Raritan Valley study club on two occasions. He is an attending at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and a supporter of the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation.
Phil and his wife Leslie reside in Marlboro, NJ and are parents of Brad and Dara and grandparents of Elias and Everett.

Stephen Traum was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1967 and from SUNY, Buffalo in 1971 with his dental degree. He served in the US Army Dental Corps from 1971-73 at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He then went to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and graduated with a certificate in Periodontics in 1975. He worked for another periodontist for a year and a half before opening his own practiced in Edison, NJ. He sold his practice in 2008 and works one day a week and spends most of his time bicycling with the Princeton Freewheelers.
Dr. Traum taught at UMDNJ and Middlesex County Hygiene school where he was head of the Periodontal section. He was also on staff at the Robert Wood Johnson and JFK hospitals, where he is currently an Emeritus. He formed the Raritan Valley Study Club in 1975 and served as its president on three separate occasions. He is also a Past President of MCDS and the New Jersey Society of Peridontists.
Stephen and his wife Eileen live in Edison, NJ and are proud parents of Dr. Marcy Traum and Jeremy Traum. He has two wonderful dogs, Sunshine and Rocky, who keep them busy and energetic. He enjoys hiking and jogging and continues to attend courses at the School of Practical Philosophy in NYC. He loves to read and study many diverse subjects such as the Torah, Talmud, Plato, Ficino, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Sanskrit.