Joseph J. Safirstein, DDS

Dr. Joseph J. Safirstein, known as “Dr. Joe” to his patients, grew up in Clearwater, Florida, where his passion for dentistry began at a young age. He is the eighth member of his family to earn a dental degree. Dr. Safirstein’s early exposure to the dental profession was unique—at the age of 12, he became a certified orthodontic assistant working in his father’s orthodontic practice, gaining firsthand experience that would shape his career.

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, Dr. Safirstein earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1999 from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, a milestone he fondly refers to as being part of “the best graduating class ever.” Following dental school, he pursued advanced training in orthodontics at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon, where he completed his residency in 2001.

Dr. Safirstein has since built a distinguished career as an orthodontist in both Portland and McMinnville, Oregon, where he has operated a private practice with a focus on high-quality clinical care. He also served as a faculty member in OHSU’s graduate orthodontic department for 16 years, mentoring countless orthodontic residents and contributing to the academic community before retiring from teaching to focus on his recently growing family.

Dr. Safirstein’s deep commitment to the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry is evident through his longstanding involvement with the Alumni Board of Trustees. He began his service shortly after entering private practice and later took on a leadership role as president during the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the Alumni Board was transformed into a dynamic, action-oriented group focused on strategic initiatives to enhance the college’s recruitment of top-tier students, faculty, and resources. His efforts have had a lasting impact on the college, strengthening its network of alumni and fostering new generations of leaders in the dental community.

Beyond his contributions to UTHSC, Dr. Safirstein is also known for volunteerism. He has participated in numerous dental mission trips, including a significant project in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, where he built a dental clinic and provided care to communities who had never before experienced local anesthesia or professional dental treatment.

Dr. Safirstein’s dedication to the profession extends to mentorship, as he has guided many aspiring dental students who have gone on to successful careers in dentistry and orthodontics. He currently serves in a leadership capacity at the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists as chair of the Admissions Committee for the Northwest Component. There he developed an innovative online banking system of treated cases, serving as a vital resource for education, research, and outcomes assessment.

At home, Dr. Safirstein and his wife, Dr. Lauren Safirstein, also a board-certified orthodontist, continues to maintain thriving private practices while raising their young son, Jack. Dr. Safirstein is also proud of his two older children, Samantha, who serves on the National Security Council at the White House, and Jacob, a Juilliard-trained composer now based in New York.

Dr. Joe’s career has been defined by a deep commitment to excellence in clinical practice, education, and leadership, all born at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.