Dr. Robert Dubman1952
Pioneer developer in bringing affordable and accessible dental care to middle and low-income New Jerseyites
Dr. Robert Dubman was a pioneer developer in bringing affordable and accessible dental care to middle and low-income New Jerseyites who would otherwise not have been able have their dental needs met.
During his 49 years of practicing dentistry, Bob at first provided five dental centers dispersed throughout New Jersey to develop a model that would meet the needs for affordability and access. In doing so, Bob provided employment for hundreds of dentists, dental hygienists and administrative staff.
Even with these centers, Bob recognized that only a fraction of the population of New Jersey could be serviced. To expand, Bob applied to the New Jersey Department of Insurance for a license to develop low cost dental insurance plans for individuals and employer-provided dental benefits (it took two years and was no easy task being granted the license).
Being able offer dental insurance was the opener to soliciting other dentists throughout the state to participate in the model established by Bob. Eventually, Bob was able to garner 1200 other dental offices to satisfy the needs for affordability and access for thousands of New Jersey families.
Those efforts were not without opposition from many in the dental community. When personally challenged, Bob responded by simply questioning how many of their private patient families could not afford major dental care, including orthodontics for their children.
In short, Bob created places to provide health care services to thousands of an underserved population.
Bob’s accomplishment was recognized in an article “Cost Containment in Prepaid Dentistry" published by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, March, 1984. He is also the author of a book, “Ain’t We Got Fun,” which is in the Library of Congress.
Subsequent to retirement, and having enough of shoveling snow, Bob left the Garden State and, along with a host of other WHS alumni, moved to Florida where he entered a new phase of sharing by entertaining residents of senior communities with history lectures and comedic performances.
During his 49 years of practicing dentistry, Bob at first provided five dental centers dispersed throughout New Jersey to develop a model that would meet the needs for affordability and access. In doing so, Bob provided employment for hundreds of dentists, dental hygienists and administrative staff.
Even with these centers, Bob recognized that only a fraction of the population of New Jersey could be serviced. To expand, Bob applied to the New Jersey Department of Insurance for a license to develop low cost dental insurance plans for individuals and employer-provided dental benefits (it took two years and was no easy task being granted the license).
Being able offer dental insurance was the opener to soliciting other dentists throughout the state to participate in the model established by Bob. Eventually, Bob was able to garner 1200 other dental offices to satisfy the needs for affordability and access for thousands of New Jersey families.
Those efforts were not without opposition from many in the dental community. When personally challenged, Bob responded by simply questioning how many of their private patient families could not afford major dental care, including orthodontics for their children.
In short, Bob created places to provide health care services to thousands of an underserved population.
Bob’s accomplishment was recognized in an article “Cost Containment in Prepaid Dentistry" published by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, March, 1984. He is also the author of a book, “Ain’t We Got Fun,” which is in the Library of Congress.
Subsequent to retirement, and having enough of shoveling snow, Bob left the Garden State and, along with a host of other WHS alumni, moved to Florida where he entered a new phase of sharing by entertaining residents of senior communities with history lectures and comedic performances.