January 2019 - Dr. Israel Kleinberg founded Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Oral Biology and Pathology and enters retirement having received over 20 patents and completed over 300 scientific papers.
After 45 years of service within our community, Dr. Israel Kleinberg, DDS, PhD, DSc, has retired. Dr. Kleinberg’s stellar legacy as one of Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine’s founding faculty members and chairs will remain with us for many years to come.
A prolific and nationally renowned scientist, researcher, inventor, and educator, Dr. Kleinberg’s career has spanned an impressive 67 years, beginning upon receipt of his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Toronto and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Durham.
Dr. Kleinberg’s devotion to discovery has informed and inspired his immense success which includes over 300 scientific publications, over 60 years of continuous research funding, and the issuance of 21 patents and numerous foreign patents. Dr. Kleinberg’s countless accolades include the William J. Gies Award for Vision, Innovation and Achievement of the ADEA Gies Foundation, ADEA, and Outstanding Inventor Award, State University of New York.
Through innovative translational research and pioneering partnerships across the field of oral biology, Dr. Kleinberg developed and helped bring to market multiple products with the potential for the enhancement of human health and wellbeing. Of note, Dr. Kleinberg’s inventions include Smartmouth™ Mouthwash and BasicBites® soft chews, both dentifrice products purchased by Colgate®, and the Ortek Electronic Caries Detector, an FDA-approved device expected to be commercialized later this year for the early detection of caries.
Integral to his lasting legacy, Dr. Kleinberg has been an inspirational educator. He established the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology within Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine which thrived under his leadership as the inaugural Chairperson and furthermore during his time as Director of the Division of Translational Oral Biology. Dr. Kleinberg, among numerous honors, was named a State University of New York Distinguished Professor.
Although Dr. Kleinberg’s impact on our students’ educational experience is immeasurable, his commitment to teaching is evident through his mentorship of 24 PhD students, ten post-doctoral trainees, and ten senior scientists from throughout the world who journeyed to our school on sabbaticals for an opportunity to study by his side.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kleinberg on his long and distinguished career. The Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine community wishes Dr. Kleinberg a restful, fulfilling retirement and thanks him for his outstanding and dedicated service to our institution.
