About Us
The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience. Dr. Les Elfenbein, and Dr. Shalini Tewary work as a team and consult with one another to provide the utmost in endodontic excellence.
Dr. Elfenbein:
Dr. Elfenbein completed his specialty training in endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania following a general practice residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. He earned his dental degree from the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine.
Highly regarded by his peers, Dr. Elfenbein has been named one of New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s “Top Dentists” every year from 2002–2025 and was featured in the magazine’s inaugural edition, when only 10 endodontists were selected statewide. He has also been recognized in the Guide to America’s Top Dentists and honored as both a “USA Top Dentist” and “NJ Top Dentist” from 2018–2025. A past president and former editor of the Passaic County Dental Society, he is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists—an honor bestowed upon only about 3% of American dentists.
Dr. Elfenbein currently serves as Director of Endodontics at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey. He lectures extensively at local and national meetings, provides continuing education to dentists and endodontists, and has published research in both the Journal of Endodontics and Dental Traumatology.
Dr. Shalini Tewary
Dr. Shalini Tewary is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics; the highest honor bestowed upon an endodontist by the AAE for academic and clinical excellence. After completing dental school at Boston University she served as a resident in general dentistry at Boston University. Dr. Tewary received the excellence award, an honor bestowed upon the top resident in that post doctoral program. In addition, in 2000 she received an excellence award from the North East Society of Periodontists.
Prior to pursuing her passion for endodontics, she was a general dentist in Bergen County for seven years. She completed her graduate training in endodontics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Tewary did research in endodontics which was published in the Journal of Endodontics.
Dr. Tewary was selected by her peers as a "Top Dentists" in New Jersey Monthly Magazine in 2014 through 2025 and a "Top Dentist" in Montclair Magazine in 2019 through 2025.
Dr. Joseph Stern
Dr. Anthony Arena
Dr. Anthony Arena completed his post doctoral endodontic residency at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. During his residency, Dr. Arena also earned his Masters in Dental Science, defending his thesis centered around public health and endodontics. At Rutgers, Dr. Arena became known amongst his peers as a leader – his passion for teaching in the undergraduate clinic and mentorship in dental education are exceptional.
Dr. Arena is also a graduate of the Bergen County Academies and Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biology. Dr. Arena received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. In 2018, he received the American Association of Endodontics Student Achievement Award for his interest and commitment to the specialty.
Dr. Arena is a caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated professional committed to the highest quality. He is a proud first-generation Italian-American and is involved in many cultural organizations in the area. In his spare time, Dr. Arena is an avid soccer enthusiast and enjoys making artisanal pizzas in his backyard with his family and friends.