Early years and education
- Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York
- Graduated from James Madison High School
- Received bachelor's degree in biology from Brooklyn College in 1968
- Attended Camp Vacamas as a child and volunteered for their Hands in 4 Youth programming for close to 40 years
- Wanted to be a dentist because of his fondness for working with hands and his own dentist
Career
- Board certified in periodontics
- Practices at Synergistic Dentistry of New York (SDNY) since 1975
- Specialist in both periodontics and prosthodontics
- Former chairman of the Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry
- Has written over 250 scientific papers and co-authored textbooks
Awards and recognition
- Received the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Charles L. Pincus / Ronald E. Goldman Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019
- Awarded the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Distinguished Lecturer Award in 2015
- Received the William J. Gies Award for outstanding contribution to the field of periodontology in 2005
- Honorary Alumni Award from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- Received the 2017 Academic Excellence in Prosthodontics award from the Northeastern Gnathological Society
Implant education and affiliations
- Director of implant education at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine since May 2010
- Section editor for two peer-reviewed dental journals
- Editorial review board member of ten dental journals
- Master Clinician Award recipient from the American Academy of Periodontology
- NYU College of Dentistry named its periodontal and implant dentistry postgraduate clinical wing in his honor
Personal life
- Married to Karen
- Has a son named Derek
Dennis Perry Tarnow (born May 28, 1946) is an American dentist specializing in periodontics, prosthodontics and implant dentistry and is known for his mark on dental implant research and education. He is currently director of implant dentistry at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and former chairman of the department of periodontics and implant dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. He is a sought after speaker on the subject of implant dentistry.