Joel I. Nathanson, DMD, MAGD

Joel I. Nathanson, D.M.D., M.A.G.D. graduated from Columbia University and received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. After serving a tour of duty as an officer in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Dr. Nathanson began practicing comprehensive dental care in the Baltimore area in 1985.

After learning that about 90% of obstructive sleep apnea is undiagnosed, Dr. Nathanson became a passionate advocate for testing, diagnosing and treating this life-threatening condition. As a highly experienced dentist, he developed an interest in Oral Appliance Therapy for sleep apnea after learning that up to half of the patients that are prescribed the traditional CPAP treatment are unable or unwilling to use it effectively. Since 2006, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has identified oral appliances (made by a dentist with appropriate training in sleep medicine) as an effective first line treatment for mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as those patients with severe sleep apnea who are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP therapy.

A respected professional in his field, Dr. Nathanson aims to provide the best dental experience and to facilitate the best sleep medicine treatment possible for his patients. His entire career has been a study in pursuing the highest and most advanced dental and sleep medicine techniques and technologies for the benefit of his patients. In 2007, Dr. Nathanson received the Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry, an international organization comprised of over 35,000 dentists dedicated to improving patient care through continuing education. Less than 1% of all practicing dentists ever achieve Mastership in the Academy. He has had over 1,500 hours of continuing education in dental care and sleep medicine and still attends courses on a regular basis.

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A Closer Look…

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Nathanson’s interests include music and theatre. A classically trained singer, he has acted and sung professionally, as well as having sung the National Anthem at Camden Yards. As a member of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Dr. Nathanson has performed with jazz legend Dave Brubeck, as well as with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. He has sung leading roles with the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore and Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre, and has performed as a featured soloist at Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Congregation, Chizuk Amuno Congregation and in the Bach Concert Series at First English Lutheran Church. For over 20 years, he has served as a High Holiday Cantor at congregations from New York to Georgia.

In 1987, Dr. Nathanson was a three-time champion on the nationally televised game show Jeopardy! Dr. Nathanson lives in Baltimore County with his wife, Maureen. They have two daughters and a son.