What motivated you to pursue a
career in organized dentistry?
I was motivated to get informed
because of the increasing regulations
that affect my private practice.
When and where did you attend
dental school?
Temple University, in the building that
is said to have produced some parts
for tanks during World War 2. I still have
fond memories of walking between
floors via an outside stairwell.
Matthew Zale, DMD,
Third District Trustee
Did you always know you wanted
to be a dentist when you were
younger? If not, what did you
want to be when you grew up?
I grew up with an ambulance delivering
patients at our back door, because my
father’s physician’s office was on first
floor. Before HIPAA we had discussion
of medical matters at the dinner table.
I was able to assist him in reducing some
closed bone fractures and disposing
of plaster casts in the common trash.
I always thought of a medical career,
but as a kid I didn’t know much about
dentistry.
Where do you currently practice?
Dickson city, near Scranton, now with
more than one streetlight.
What do you believe is the most
challenging issue facing dentistry as
a profession?
Government regulation overreach
through Federal and state agencies.
What do you believe is the most
challenging issue facing organized
dentistry?
Members understanding their importance to the process of preserving their
practice of the best dental care in the
world.
What do you think is the single
greatest achievement in dentistry
over the past 150 years of PDA’s
history?
Dr. Zale’s personal story
He grew up in Scranton. He has three
brothers and three sisters: Lawrence,
a patent attorney, Nannette, a pediatric
ophthalmologist, Anthony, a computer
programmer; and “best ever sisters” Anita,
college visiting professor, and Kathleen,
retired from the state. All of Dr. Zale’s siblings
live in Scranton, except his brother Gregory,
who is a hand surgeon Poughkeepsie, NY.
In his spare time, Dr. Zale enjoys giving his
time in volunteer organizations for those in
need and who want help with unhealthy
habits.
Name some fun/interesting things about
yourself that others would be surprised
to learn.
I visited Israel alone. I organize nonprofit
fundraisers. I do philosophical self study
and am a tenure track assistant professor at
the University of the West Indies in Trinidad
and Tobago, and University Missouri in
Kansas City dental school for five years.
I participated in MOM-n-PA dental events
in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
I have double University certificates:
periodontology, University of Pittsburgh,
and a second separate program in
prosthodontics, University of Louisville.
Who was your greatest role model?
My father, Anthony G. Zale, an orthopedic
surgeon, passed away at age 99.
What famous person would you most
like to spend a day with?
Charles Darwin in 1860.
The code of ethics.
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