Dr. Tichler with some of his residents at Columbia.

 

Howard M. Tichler, DDS

Dr. Tichler holds an appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the division of orthodontics at Columbia University College.  He teaches the orthodontic residents there a non-surgical technique for complicated open bite cases.  He is excited to have the opportunity to instruct these dentists to use the special wires utilized in this treatment.  Both Dr. Tichler and Dr. Abraham have expertise in this approach.

More about Dr. Tichler …

It all started in East Flatbush, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

  • Attended grade school (P.S. 244) with great success.
  • After four years at Samuel J. Tilden High School, it was off to Brooklyn college.
  • After studying Music, Biology, and Chemistry, Dr. Tichler left Brooklyn to attend Temple University, School of Dentistry in Philadelphia and earned a D.D.S. Degree. The best part of Philadelphia was meeting Carol, his wife.  They were married while he was in dental school.
  • Then, in 1965, the Vietnam War was on and the United States Army needed dentists.  Guess who they drafted!!
  • Two years were spent in uniform at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and Fort Dix in New Jersey.  Dr. and Mrs. Tichler had their first child, Beth, at that time.
  • Dr. Tichler and his wife, Carol


    Loving kids, Dr. Tichler then attended Boston School of Graduate Dentistry as a resident in Orthodontics.
  • Boston was great, especially since their second child, Laura, was born.
  • After graduation, with a specialty in Orthodontics and a Masters of Science and Dentistry, the Tichler family moved to Long Island.
  • West Islip was the perfect location to practice, and it has been for over 25 years.
  • Now, the Tichler’s have four grandchildren: Jennifer, Andrew, Bella and Paulie! 

Dr. Tichler’s granddaughters, Bella and Jen


Dr. Tichler’s grandsons, Andrew and Paulie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tichler is a member or the elite Edward H. Angle Society of Orhtodontists North Atlantic Component (less than 5% of orthodontists around the world have been accepted for membership).   Dr. Tichler was asked to present to this prestigious organization because of his extensive orthodontic experience and innovative techniques.  Over the years, Dr. Tichler has lectured to orthodontists, general dentists, doctors and residents all over the world including Hawaii and Japan.

Most recently, he has presented to the following:

  • September 2012 – Yokohama, Japan – International Joint Congress of MEAW Technique & Research Foundation
  • May 2011 – Brentwood, New York – Brentwood Study Group
  • June 2010 – Stony Brook, New York – Stony Brook Orthodontic Residents
  • May 2010 – White Plains, New York – New Conn Orthodontic Study Group
  • April 2010 – Bronx, New York – Montefiore Hospital Orthodontic Residents
  • March 2010 – Baltimore, Maryland – Angle Society North Atlantic Component

Hospital and professional affiliations include:

  • Member of American Dental Association
  • Member of Suffolk County Dental Society
  • Member of American Association of Orthodontics
  • Columbia University College of Dental Medicine – Assistant Clinical Professor
  • Nassau County Medical Center – Assistant Professor (1970-1978)
  • Southside Hospital – Dental Staff
  • Good Samaritan Hospital – Co-Director of Continuing Education
  • Orthodontic Consultant to the Peer Review
  • Liability Committee of the Suffolk County Dental Society
  • Multiloop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) Research Foundation – Vice President
  • Good Samaritan Dental Study Club – Co-Founder with Dr. Abraham

Some character building jobs along the way:

This is Dr. Tichler’s band that he played in when he was in high school! Look at Dr. Tichler’s hair when he was 18! The second guy from the left is NEIL SEDAKA!
  • Grocery delivery boy – Ages 13-17
  • Singing in a religious choir – Ages 13-16
  • Learning saxophone and playing in the marching band in high school
  • Played in rock & roll and wedding bands all through college
  • Played in orchestra for several nursing homes during the holiday season
  • Played and sang in Neil Sedaka’s first recording!

 

Doctor By Day, Jazz Man By Night 

After completing treatment of his patients at his orthodontic office in West Islip on Long Island, Dr. Howard Tichler, his partner, Dr. Jenny Abraham, and their staff get ready to attend Staff Appreciation Night at a nearby Marriot.  However, Dr. Tichler won’t just be attending the event, he will be part of the entertainment, doing one of the many things he loves, playing the saxophone. 

Tonight’s “Molar Band” is comprised of two orthodontists and a pediatric dentist.  Mild mannered dentists by day, these doctors take off their lab coats, put on their tuxes and play jazz like there’s no tomorrow. 

Dr. Tichler began his love affair with music and the saxophone in particular at age 8.  His uncle, Sid Cooper, who played saxophone with the Tonight Show Band at the time, was his inspiration and mentor.  “It was great having him right next door,” Dr. Tichler remembers, “except that he would bang on the wall when I wasn’t practicing properly!” 

Although he first set out to make music his profession, Dr. Tichler had a great interest in dentistry and decided to make a career of orthodontics and let music help finance his education.  He played in a band with his friend and fellow musician, Neil Sedaka, at parties, weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.  Later, he began playing with a variety of bands at the big hotels in the Catskills.  During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s when the Catskills were the place to be, Dr. Tichler played for such notables as Gregory Hines, Jackie Mason, Sammy Davis Jr. and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.  Dr. Tichler even got to do some recording when Neil asked him to sing on two of his records including Neil’s first hit, “The Diary”.

After completing dental school, Dr. Tichler was drafted into the war in Vietnam but was fortunate enough to stay stateside, treating the children of the soldiers.  It was this experience that steered him toward a specialty in orthodontics as he found that he loved working with his young patients.  After the war and a residency in orthodontics, he began his career in earnest. 

Although music has taken a back seat to his orthodontic practice and raising his family, Dr. Tichler still takes his show on the road every chance he gets playing at restaurants and local fundraisers.  He also never goes on vacation without bringing along his trusty sax.  Over the years, Dr. Tichler has played at various locations all over the world.

Dr. Tichler and Paulie