Meet Dr. Benjamin V. Koren
Dr. Benjamin V. Koren grew up in Durham, North Carolina where he attended Jordan High School. He went on and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Koren was accepted to the University of North Carolina’s prestigious dental program and completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1999. He then was chosen to be part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program sponsored by the United States Air Force. He completed a post-doctoral study in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Barksdale Air Force, Louisiana and went on to practice two years at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. While serving his country for three years in the United States Air Force, Dr. Koren earned the National Defense Service Medal.
Dr Koren was also recently appointed as the only dentist on the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) of NC by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Education
- United States Air Force Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
- University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, D.D.S. degree
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. Biology degree
Honors and Awards
- National Defense Service Medal, Department of Defense
- Health Professions Scholarship Program, United States Air Force
- University of North Carolina School of Dentistry Dean’s List
- Dr. Ronald Strauss Community and International Award
- D.D.S. Student Research Fellowship
- Dr. Claude Adams Jr. Dental Scholarship
Professional Affiliations
- American Dental Association Member
- NC Dental Society Member
- Raleigh Wake County Dental Society Member
- Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) of NC
- UNC Dental Alumni Association
- Psi Omega Dental Fraternity, Chi Upsilon Chapter
Professional Experience
- Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina Dental School
- Holloman Air Force Base – Comprehensive and Emergency Care
- Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Intravenous Sedation, and Forensic Dentistry
Dr. Koren in the News
11/10/23: Dr. Koren was featured on the ABC Eyewitness News story, "Veterans Day began in Raleigh with honorary run at NC State, ceremony at elementary school." View the clip below.
Dr. Koren in the Wild
Dr Koren, along with help from fellow staff Jill, Kim, and dentist Dr. Dave Galatas, performed a root canal and cleaning procedure on a tiger at the Carnivore Preservation Trust. Eliza was a 12-year-old tiger weighing in around 350-400lbs. Overseeing the entire procedure was Dr. Laurie Weisel of Pittsboro Animal Hospital, as well as additional staff from the Animal Hospital and CPT. Before it was all over, almost everyone had stroked, touched and petted the big tiger; a rare privilege. Eliza survived her treatment well. Though tigers in the wild usually only live ten years, tigers cared for by CPT often live 17-20 years.
