Lakewood Chamber News

An independent panel of judges has chosen Dr. Ronem Rotem, a dentist at The Center for Exceptional Cosmetic and Adult Dentistry, Lakehurst Road, Toms River, one of the five finalists in the Allied Healthcare Hero category in the Healthcare Hero competition sponsored by NJBIZ. All finalists will be recognized for their heroic actions in the healthcare industry at an awards program and breakfast on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Sheraton Woodbridge, Iselin, New Jersey. At that time the winners in each category will also be announced. According to John Greenwald, publisher, “NJBIZ has created the Healthcare Heroes awards program in an effort to recognize excellence, promote innovation, and honor the efforts of organizations and individuals who a making a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in New Jersey.” Dr. Ronen Rotem, who practices adult dentistry, generously donates his time, his energy, and his money to educate children and parents, and especially helps the families of children who have cancer. Each October, Dr. Rotem (pronounced Row-tem) sends a Letter to the Editor (“The Halloween Candy Dilemma for Parents”), describing how parents can realistically manage all the candy children bring home from trick-or-treating. He describes how to safeguard their children’s teeth while letting them enjoy holiday treats. During the week that follows Halloween, Dr. Rotem holds a “Halloween Candy Buy Back Contest” to encourage children and families to bring their candy to his office where he gives them $1.00 a pound, up to 10 lbs. This year he collected 385 pounds of candy (last year, 200 lbs.). He also gave a local teacher $400.00 to spend for her class, gave a $50.00 gift card to the child who brought in the most candy, AND sent all the candy he collected to our troops overseas via the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Dr. Rotem says, “Because some teachers donated candy but didn’t want to take any money for it, I thought it would be nice to include teachers in this year’s contest. Of course, my objective is to get children to eat less candy. I am hoping that buying back Halloween candy will be an incentive for them and make someone else’s life a little sweeter at the same time.” For National Children’s Health Month in February, Dr. Rotem advises the public to start taking their children to the dentist by ages 2 or 3. “Let your children get used to sitting in a dental chair, even if it is in your lap,” Dr. Rotem says. “Parents should begin helping their children brush their teeth as early as possible. My own four-year-old was finally willing to brush twice a day when he got a Batman toothbrush and Hulk toothpaste.” Dr. Rotem followed this advice by talking to kindergarten children about brushing and letting them practice on an enormous set of teeth. From March to June each year, Dr. Rotem participates in the annual teeth-whitening campaign, “Smiles for Life.” During this period, he donates 100% of the money he receives to children’s charities, specifically Ocean of Love. In addition, he hosts an annual dinner cruise on the Toms River, all expenses paid by Dr. Rotem, to raise even more money for Ocean of Love through onboard Chinese auction. (Ocean of Love helps families with expenses, such a mortgage payments, gasoline, tolls, food, etc.) He has raised close to $7,000. just for this cause. Linda Gillick, director of Ocean of Love says, “He (Dr. Rotem) is just one individual trying to make a difference, and I think he is a phenomenal person. He is an asset to our community because of his talent as well as his generosity to so many.” Gary Puro, an account executive for NJBIZ says, “The number of nominations in all ten categories* was overwhelming. This is one of our most prestigious events of the year, and we will be producing and distributing to all attendees a very special supplement honoring all of the finalists. The supplement will also be included in the June 18 edition of NJBIZ, reaching our 47,500 readers statewide.” To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Cristina Palumbo, NJBIZ, at cpalumbo@njbiz.com. Dr. Rotem was graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 1991. His practice focuses on cosmetic dentistry and conscious sedation. Dr. Rotem belongs to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, NJ Chapter of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation, the International College of Cranial Mandibular Orthopedics, the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, Monmouth/Ocean Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Rotem is an active member of the Crown Council. He is also a member of the Jersey Shore Business Network, Toms River, and the Toms River Chapter of Toastmasters. He is president of Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River, N.J. * The categories: Allied Healthcare Hero, Corporate Achievement Hero, Company Education Hero, Individual Education Hero, Company Innovation Hero, Individual Innovation Hero, Nurse of the Year, Physician of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Emergency Services Hero. Submitted by Fran Kirschner, Frantasy Enterprises