Dr. Melissa L Pecoraro

Meet Dr. Melissa Pecoraro
Dr. Melissa Pecoraro was born and raised in New Jersey. She joined her father Dr. Frank Pecoraro and his partner Dr. Richard Kelner as a periodontist in 2004. Dr. Pecoraro always aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps and has now taken her father’s place after his retirement. As a child she eagerly visited his offices and watched him work and prior to going to dental school assisted her father in his practice for 6 years. In college, she began an earnest pursuit of a career in dentistry, majoring in biology at Lafayette College, followed by earning a Masters in Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. She then went on to dental school, graduating from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a D.M.D. in 2001. She further advanced her training with UMDNJ’s residency program in Periodontics, graduating in 2004, where she was the Chief Resident. Throughout her studies, Dr. Pecoraro held executive offices. Most …recently, she assumed a teaching position as a clinical professor at her alma mater and she is currently serving as the alumni representative for her graduating dental school class.
Dr. Pecoraro gave a lecture on periodontal disease at a New York University symposium. Her lecture was attended by periodontal residents from four schools. She is also the primary author on a published research paper. The topic is the comparison between digital and conventional radiographs in detecting periodontal bone loss. Dr. Pecoraro recently was a guest speaker on a local cable television program to educate the public about periodontal disease.
Undertaking charitable causes is another endeavor that is especially close to Dr. Pecoraro’s heart and she devotes a great deal of time to several projects. Her pro bono work includes, giving free dental care to abused women at the WISE Woman’s Shelter, and, via UMDNJ providing oral screening for participants at the Special Olympics. Dr. Pecoraro aims to spread the word about the importance of oral health through her practice and her charity work. She is an active member of the New Jersey Dental Society, Union County Dental Society, the American Association of  Periodontists and the American Dental Society and is up to date on the latest continuing education courses. It is a fact that good, healthy gums can prevent a multitude of problems down the line, so she encourages regular check ups and keeps her office lines open for queries.
Dr. Pecoraro currently resides in Warren, NJ with her husband James and toddler son Gavin. In her spare time, Dr. Pecoraro likes being with her family and traveling.