Biography
![Biography](https://www.riverfrontsmilesapp.com/wp-content/uploads/Dr-Cohen-6x8-1.jpg)
Dr. Debra Cohen
As a young adult, Dr. Cohen always had a passion and love for children. As a senior in high school, she spearheaded an outreach program at an underserved boarding school in Moscow, Russia, serving as a mentor and teacher for the children. For three summers, Dr. Cohen volunteered at Camp Chai Lifeline, a camp for children with cancer and other terminal illnesses, handling their medical and emotional needs. Upon graduating high school, she studied in Israel for a year where she became certified as a medical clown. In that capacity, Dr. Cohen spent countless days on the hospital wards cheering up sick children with artful balloon-making and enchanting magic tricks. A devoted wife, mother and community role model, this dedicated pediatric dentist extends her warm, open heart and love of humanity to her adoring patients.
Dr. Cohen maintained a stellar academic record, achieving the Deans List throughout her studies at the College of Staten Island. After graduating summa cum laude from college in 2010, she attended New York University College of Dentistry, where she conducted research on the quality of life of children with cleft lip and cleft palate. She is a contributor to the periodontics chapter in one of the classic dental textbooks, Comprehensive Periodontics, 4th Edition.
In her senior year of dental school, Dr. Cohen was nominated to the Pediatric Honors Program. In addition, she volunteered in a pediatric dental outreach program in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she transformed an ordinary classroom into a functional dental clinic. In conjunction with her team, she screened and performed necessary dental treatment on hundreds of underprivileged children. Dr. Cohen graduated NYU Dental in 2014 with the coveted American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Pre-Doctoral Award.
After dental school, she completed a two-year pediatric residency program at NYU Lutheran Medical Center. Upon completing her residency program, she received the Dr. Silvia Perez Award in recognition of her dedication and outstanding performance in treating pediatric patients in the operating room.
Dr. Cohen is a board certified pediatric dentist and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association. She and her husband Jonathan live in Staten Island with their four young children. In her spare time, she loves spending quality time with family and friends.