Celebrating America’s top young dental talent gives us insight into what it takes for doctors to pursue clinical excellence and propel our profession ever forward.

By Rick Cohen and Chuck Cohen

THIS YEAR’S edition of our annual 40 Under 40 marks a milestone: 15 years of lauding dentistry’s rising stars. At Incisal Edge, we champion the motto “Strategies to Accelerate Success,” and every year since 2011, these doctors have shared the hard-earned secrets behind their unique paths to clinical mastery, career fulfillment, philanthropic impact and entrepreneurial prosperity.

Whether you’re a young dentist or a seasoned practitioner. This year’s 80 honorees (40 generalists and 40 specialists) offer more than fresh perspectives. They present a vivid snapshot of modern dentistry at its most innovative and energized.

Their willingness to share both personal strategies and struggles reflect how dentistry is growing stronger as a community amid challenges like rising tuition, stagnant reimbursements and hiring hurdles. That’s why, we’ve distilled their latest wisdom on one of dentistry’s most important but elusive goals: work-life balance. Our detailed analysis reveals a practical, reproducible plan for staying grounded, healthy and fulfilled while building the career longevity you deserve.

We explore a related theme: married, high-achieving dental couples. Why do so many make the 40 Under 40 each year? What draws—and keeps—them together? What are the upsides and trade-offs of sharing professions, homes and, sometimes, practices?

There’s more. Past 40 Under 40 honoree Dr. Corey Black shares how he built his fast-growing, brand-savvy NYC-based practice, SmileSpace. First-time practice owner Dr. George Boukas details how he created an impressive Ohio pediatric office on a budget, with help from Benco Dental. Amy Hernandez breaks down outsourcing insurance reimbursements, and how doing so can boost your bottom line while enlarging your team’s bandwidth. And Dan Wicker of Cain Watters & Associates, the leading dental financial management firm, offers a crash course on how practice owners can also be effective CFOs.

We also take you behind the scenes of our 40 Under 40 celebration at the TWA Hotel at Kennedy Airport in New York—and show you how to make the most of your own stay if you’re enchanted by all the Midcentury Modern magic. And don’t miss our update on past honorees—true to form, they’re all going places, in perfect sync with this year’s cover theme. Want to nomi­nate someone (or yourself) for next year’s list? Simply visit incisaledgemagazine.com/contests.

More than anything, the 40 Under 40 is an expression of Incisal Edge’s highest purpose: to cover a profession united by bold ambition, remarkable compassion and an unstoppable drive for pushing through boun­daries. Our 2025 honorees remind us that delivering life-changing care not only transforms patients but also elevates dentistry. They prove that setting high standards doesn’t mean sacrificing happiness. Especially when we strive for greatness together.