Beloved Andover dentist to hang up his drill in the fall

Dr. Edwin Gang to retire after 41 years, By Heather Ann Schaefer Andover Borough — After 41 years of keeping beautiful smiles in Andover Borough, Dr. Edwin A. Gang, DDS will retire on Sept. 28. “I have mixed feelings,” said Dr. Gang, “I know I could keep doing dentistry, and I will miss the work, but I’m looking forward to more time to enjoy some of my other interests.” The good news for Gang’s patients is that all other staff at the office will remain, and his patients will be cared for by Dr. Mina Kim, DDS. A borough fixture Gang achieved his DDS in 1966 from Loma Linda University, California. He remained in California and served in the Coast Guard for two years before returning to New Jersey. A native of Morristown, he was inspired to become a dentist by his cousin, Dr. John Butler, DDS, who practiced in Sparta for many years. In 1969, Gang opened his general dentistry practice across from the old Grist Mill Playhouse, on Lenape Road, in a brand new building that he helped to design. In 1970, he was joined in business by his brother, Dr. H. Edwin Gang, DDS. In addition to treating Sussex County families at their partner practices, he and his brother have volunteered their time and expertise, providing emergency dental care as staff members of Hackettstown Regional Medical Center since 1975. In the mid-1970s, Gang was an original member of a study club begun by local dentists at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville. This group, now called the Academy of Comprehensive Dental Studies, continues to meet in northern New Jersey. Gang keeps his practice on the cutting edge by participating monthly for continuing education on subjects like sleep apnea, cosmetic dentistry and dental implants. “Everything about dentistry has changed since 1969,” said Gang. “Technology continues to make materials and techniques better and faster.” From the introduction of fluoridated toothpaste in the 1960s, which significantly reduced tooth decay in children, through new filling materials, porcelain veneers, crowns designed by computer and the introduction of lasers for hard and soft tissue work, Gang has been a member of an evolving science. “New developments are happening so fast,” he remarked, and then said he will miss continuing to work within such rapid innovation. Keeping busy in retirement Retirement for Gang will be busy. “I have a lot of hobbies,” he said, smiling as he described the reproduction Shaker furniture he builds from cherry and other hardwood trees that grow on his home property. In addition to time in his barn workshop, the new retiree will stay active in his vegetable garden, and he and his wife will travel and visit their grandchildren in California. Giving back to the community is important to Gang and he is glad that he will have more time for service work at Tranquility Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he is the head elder. He also sees retirement as an opportunity to participate in mission trips to countries, such as Kenya, where the National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists creates special clinics to help people in need of dental care. Looking back and to the future Thinking back to the early days of his Lenape Road practice, Gang speaks fondly of events at the old Gristmill Playhouse and of fishermen casting their flies in the Pequest River behind his building. He grins, too, about the day, years ago, when runaway cows from Fransico Farm used his parking lot as a rest stop. In 2010, Gang still sees patients who started with him in those early days in Andover. Now he treats their children and grandchildren too. “We’ve developed some close relationships with our patients and their families over the years,” said Gang, “but I’m not leaving my patients alone. Dr. Kim is a wonderful dentist and she loves to work with children.” Kim is a 2005 graduate of Loma Linda University. She performed her residency in New York City and she practiced in Fort Lee, N.J., before taking over for Gang.

Our patients trust us. They know we are interested in their long term health. We work to help people build confidence that they can feel comfortable at the dentist.” Dr. Edwin A. Gang, DDS